Cancer-Fighting Soup
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Cancer-Fighting Soup (aka Immune-Boosting Soup) is chock full of vegetables, lentils, and black beans that helps fight inflammation in the body. Whether you’re wanting to help someone with a diagnosis or just eat as healthy as possible yourself, this big-batch, freezer-friendly soup fits the bill.
Darcie’s Cancer Story
Cancer. No one expects to hear that diagnosis from their doctor, even though one in three Americans will get cancer at some point. You especially don’t expect it when you’re a 38-year-old seemingly healthy mom of four children.
My long-time and dear friend Darcie received that diagnosis in Fall 2014, after finding a lump in her breast. It was a shock to all of her friends, family and church family to say the least.
Her friends and family quickly gathered like a small army around her and her family. You see Darcie is widely known as one of the most generous, thoughtful, bleeding-heart people around our area. Many lives have been touched by her and her family in some way. Everyone loves Darcie.
A small group of her closest friends gathered a few days after her diagnosis to pray and plan for her. I was awed as I saw each friend in our group using her own particular gifting to serve and encourage her. It’s humbling to watch the church at work as the hands and feet of Jesus during a time of crisis like this.
(Below: Living it up 80’s style with Darcie (on right), me (center) and our friend (Kelley). Can you handle all that blue eye shadow and crimping?)
And what do you think was my first inclination when I heard the news about my friend? To cook!
My mission in the days to follow her diagnosis: How can I make my friend the most nutritious, delicious, cancer-fighting soup possible?
Ingredients
After deep-dive researching the best foods to fight breast cancer and what to eat when you have breast cancer, I came up with these phytochemical-rich, protein-rich, and fiber-rich ingredients for the soup…
- Onion, celery, carrots, garlic – The key to the complex flavor is to saute these ingredients to kick-start their flavor.
- Chicken or vegetable broth – We have three ways to make your own chicken broth.
- Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste – If you want to kick up the flavor more, used fire roasted diced tomatoes instead of crushed.
- Lentils – We used dried quick-cooking lentils (any color will work). If used canned, cooked lentils, just stir them in towards the end of the cook time.
- Black beans – I used pre-cooked, canned black beans.
- Bay leaves, red pepper flakes, Italian Seasoning – All of these pantry ingredients kick up the flavor.
- Zucchini – You can leave this out if you want.
- Mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach – I learned in my research that these veggies along with lentils and black beans are some of the best for fighting breast cancer.
- Frozen green peas
IMPORTANT! Please keep in mind that I am not a dietician or licensed medical practitioner, so please ask your doctor if the ingredients included in this soup are ok for you if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and/or are receiving treatment. I’ve read that some foods like grapefruit and even garlic can interfere with certain medications.
Pro Tip!
Be sure chop all of the vegetables about the same size so they cook evenly and are bite-sized. It’s actually a pet peeve of mine when vegetable soup contains pieces that are too big to enjoy in one bite. It’s worth taking the time to chop them perfectly.
How to Make Cancer-Fighting Soup
It’s important for you to know that this makes a BIG batch. I did that so you can have leftovers to put in the freezer for later. But, feel free to cut the ingredients in half you want.
- Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat.
- Saute the onions, carrots, and celery for about 4-5 minutes, until tender. Add in the garlic and stir for 1 more minute. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (to your preferred heat level), and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in the chicken or vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, lentils, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer (slight bubbling), stirring occasionally. Season again lightly with salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in the zucchini, mushrooms, cauliflower, and broccoli and simmer another 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach and frozen peas and turn off the heat (or turn to low), so they don’t overcook. Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasonings. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
- If you like, serve with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and/or whole grain crackers or crusty bread.
Freezing Soup
This soup is perfect for making ahead and taking to a friend. If you want, just change the name to “Immune-Boosting Soup” if your friend has a cold. 🙂 It has been tested from fresh, reheated from the fridge as leftovers, and reheated after being frozen. It is delicious and works great in all these situations
Freeze For Later: Follow steps 1-5. Let the soup cool completely. Suggestion: divide soup into some shallow pans to put in the refrigerator to cool it more quickly. Divide soup into gallon-sized freezer bags or containers or into 2-cup Pyrex glass containers, squeeze out excess air, seal, and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw using one of these safe thawing methods. Then reheat gently over low heat on the stove or in a crock pot. Another option is to put the frozen soup block over low to medium-low heat on the stove top or in a crock pot. Add about 1-2 cups of water or broth over the top. Gently warm over low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Follow step 6 for serving.
If you want to deliver it to a friend as a fresh meal or freezer meal, you can deliver it in a freezer container with lid or mason jars. I love using mason jars, since the soup can be divided into single servings. Just be sure to leave at least 1 inch of headspace at the top if freezing.
My hope is that you can make this recipe for yourself and/or take it to anyone else who is battling cancer or an illness. This Cancer-Fighting Soup fights inflammation in the body and provides warmth and comfort when healing.
More Encouragement for Loved Ones
You may even want to add a word of encouragement to the container you deliver it in, too. I quickly scribbled out a few favorite encouraging Bible verses in sharpie on the freezer containers of the soup for Darcie.
Or you may want to include a set of our printable Truth for Trials verse cards.
I hope this recipe is a blessing to you or someone else. Please leave a comment for me, and I’d love to pray for you or a loved one who is battling cancer.
P.S. Thanks to Darcie for letting me share some of her story. She said to me, “Share on, sister. Hoping it makes a difference, inspiring someone to change one small thing about their lifestyle.”
P.P.S. In case you’re wondering, here is the story of Darcie’s Head-Shaving Party and more about how she’s doing. It’s so encouraging!
P.P.P.S. This post was originally shared February 2015. It has since been updated and reposted. At the time of updating this post on 10/17/24, Darcie is now 9 years cancer-free (“no evidence of disease”) and doing great! Also, her beautiful thick blonde hair is back.
More Vegetarian Recipes You’ll Love
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Cancer-Fighting Soup
This hearty, big batch soup brings a nutrient-dense, tasty dose of vegetables to the table. Make ahead and freeze for later using our freezing instructions.
Ingredients
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2–3 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 cups carrots, diced
- 3 garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (use less if you don’t like heat)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 12 cups (or three 32-ounce cartons) of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 28–ounce can of crushed tomatoes (look for BPA-free cans)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15-ounce) can cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup dry, quick-cooking lentils (any color will work; rinse first)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, diced
- 1 cup cauliflower, chopped finely
- 1 cup broccoli, chopped finely
- 2–3 cups spinach, chopped
- 1–2 cups frozen green peas
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Instructions
Make It Now:
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat.
- Saute the onions, carrots, and celery for about 4-5 minutes, until tender. Add in the garlic and stir for 1 more minute. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (to your preferred heat level), and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in the chicken or vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, lentils, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer (slight bubbling), stirring occasionally. Season again lightly with salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in the zucchini, mushrooms, cauliflower, and broccoli and simmer another 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach and frozen peas and turn off the heat (or turn to low), so they don’t overcook. Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasonings. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
- If you like, serve with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and/or whole grain crackers or crusty bread.
Freeze For Later: Follow steps 1-5. Let the soup cool completely. Suggestion: divide soup into some shallow pans to put in the refrigerator to cool it more quickly. Divide soup into gallon-sized freezer bags or containers, squeeze out excess air, seal, and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw using one of these safe thawing methods. Then reheat gently over low heat on the stove or in a crock pot. Another option is to put the frozen soup block over low to medium-low heat on the stove top or in a crock pot. Add about 1-2 cups of water or broth over the top. Gently warm over low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Follow step 6 for serving.
Notes/Tips
- It’s a good idea to chop your veggies all about the same size, so they cook evenly and they are bite-sized.
- These sturdy reusable freezer bags work well for freezing and gifting the soup in.
Thank you for this recipe….my 17 year old son is battling leukemia. I appreciate the recipe and your prayers!! THANK YOU!!
Praying right now, JoAnna! A friend of mine from church, Robin May, has walked through this long journey with her teenage son (Matt), as well. They both talk and write about it on her website and podcast. He’s about a year out of a bone marrow transplant and doing miraculously well. I hope it might encourage you both to connect with their family. I’d be happy to put you in touch, if you want. You can find her here: https://www.robinmayministries.com/blog
Made this batch for my mom who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. She LOVED it! I’m making another batch today. Thank you so much for this.
Wonderful!! Love hearing this. May it help her continue to fight well!
Wonderful post! Thank you! Praises that your friend Darcie is now cancer free! This soup sounds a lot like one I made for my Bible Study teacher, when she was diagnosed stage 3 Uterine cancer. She is also now cancer free – which is a true miracle! i wanted to consider putting soup in the BLENDER for those suffering from sensitive stomachs . The BLENDER lender purees everything and makes it easier for those with treatment related food aversions.
I’m so thankful for Darcie’s good health and your teacher’s, too! Thank you for the idea to put this soup in the blender. There was someone else in the comments who asked me about that. I figured this soup would taste just as good as a puree, too.
I haven’t made this soup yet, but am so excited to find it online. Recently I was diagnosed with breast cancer and am trying to alter my diet to heal from within as well as with conventional treatments. Thank you so much for sharing! Looking to Jehovah Rapha for complete healing.
I had never heard that name of God before and googled it–the God of Healing. Amen. Praying that He will bringing healing, hope, strength, and new mercies each morning for you, Rachel.
Just going to make this for a friend. Thank you. ❤️
You’re welcome. I hope it’s a blessing to your friend.
I just came upon your recipe while looking for make-ahead meals.
Thank you for being a blessing to your dear friend Darci and blessing to everyone in your obit. I’m going to make the soup for it’s health and anti-inflammatory benefits. I give thanks for beautiful people like yourself for sharing this story and recipe.
6 second hug
Thank you, Deb! I hope this soup is helpful to you and anyone else you make it for. 6 second hug back!
love the idea of this soup. and it sounds delicious! I might just make myself some because it is healthy and good for me! But, I am looking for some recipes for my friend and neighbor that has some food issues as well as just finding out she has breast cancer. We don’t even know how advanced it is. the question is… can this be made without the beans and lentils? she says she gets Really bad painful gas from these items.
Hi Mary. What a kind friend you are! I think you could certainly make this bean-and-lentil free, just cut back on the amount of broth you use so it’s not too watery. I’d maybe start with 8 cups of broth. If it looks too thick, you can always add more. I hope that helps!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It sounds as if it will be delicious. Look forward to trying it myself (Type 1 Diabetic and for my husband who has just been diagnosed with cancer). God is awesome and so are prayers. Thank you again.
Hi Kim. So sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis. The Lord is with you as you walk through these deep waters. Praying right now that God will surround you with His goodness and love all along the way. May he fill you both with strength and courage for the days ahead and bring healing.
My husband was diagnosed with 3rd stage lymphoma which is now in remission.
This soup is served at least 3 days a week. I made it a regular part of his diet.
Love this soup receipe.
So thankful to hear that your husband is in remission and that this soup was a part of that journey, Sharon. Wishing you many blessings in the future. Thanks for sharing this feedback and review.
I will be making this for a friend of mine recently diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. I’m a stage 4 breast cancer warrior so this will be excellent for the two of us! Food for the soul and body. Thank you!
You are such a kind friend! I’m glad you found this recipe and sure hope it helps both of you in your battles. Praying right now for healing and hope for you both.
Thank you for the recipe. I didn’t realize (my oversight) how much it makes lol. I had to change to a larger pot. 😁 My first serving was delish. I am waiting a second CT and MRI. They found some nodules on my kidneys/adrenal glands and it’s causing quite a bit of pain. Praying for fast test appointment and good results. Trusting God though the process. (This is hard even as a pastor). Thank you for the recipe and prayers!
Yes, Rob, I should make that even clearer…this does take a BIG pot. I hope you can freeze the leftovers in individual portions to enjoy down the road. Thank you for sharing a little of your story. Praying right now that the Lord gives you new mercies every single day to trust him, walk with him, and even lead your flock during this time. Praying for healing, as well. As I’m sure you know well, He has promised to walk with you through these deep waters and will bring you to the other side one way or another. Wishing you many blessings on the journey ahead.
My fiance was just diagnosed with bone cancer and it spread throughout his body. He is stage 4 and all I want to do is cry! I will stay strong for him and I pray everyday! I will make him this soup to help his fight with cancer. Please pray for him and my family. Thank you
Oh Kat, I’m so very sorry to hear about your fiance. I’m tearing up myself. I will pray for him right now. May the Lord bless him (and your family) through his journey and bring healing.
I’m interested in recipes to make for my daughter, Michelle Christy, who has been dealing with neuroendocrine cancer for a year. The treatments have cause her to lose so much weight. Want to make her meals that will help her gain weight and make her healthy again.
Please send her healing prayers.
God bless and thanks for sharing your story and recipes.
Sylvia, I will pray for your daughter right now. It’s so hard to watch your child suffer no matter how old they are. You are a such good mom to help her with her nutrition. Is there a dietitian or nutritionist at her cancer treatment facility? Perhaps they can help you think of some healthy foods that will also help her to gain weight (and won’t interfere with her treatment).
Here are a few ideas, but please know that I’m not an expert:
Make her some of our freezer smoothie packs and add in some protein powder to them. All she would have to do is dump the contents in a blender and add the liquid. My favorite flavor is our Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothie (tastes like a chocolate shake to me). Here are all of those recipes: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/how-to-make-freezer-smoothie-packs-7-printable-recipes-shopping-lists/
Make and freeze our Powerball Cookies so she can snack on them: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/power-ball-cookies/
Lastly, I think soup is great way to get in nutrition and calories when you don’t feel very good. You could make and freeze this Cancer Fighting Soup and others in individual portions for her to warm up in the microwave. Here are a few of my healthier favorites:
Turkey Chili with Sweet Potatoes & Black Beans: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/slow-cooker-turkey-chili-with-sweet-potato-and-black-beans/
Vegetarian Tortilla Soup: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/meatless-monday-anything-goes-tortilla-soup/
Tomato Bisque: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/tomato-bisque-recipe-panera-bread-fake-out/
If you just want to get calories in her, this Autumn Chowder is delicious! https://thrivinghomeblog.com/autumn-chowder-comfort-in-a-bowl/
I hope that helps give you some ideas. Wishing you many blessings.
Thanks sis.I’ve just being diagnosed with breast cancer.Keep me in prayer as I’m going for op this month and also my hubby and kids in prayer. They are devastated Thanks for the recipes.I was googling for recipes and it is nice to see yours and also the testimony of your friend recovery..No matter what Jesus is good.Thanks
Praying right now for you! I love what you said…no matter what, Jesus is good. Amen.
Its amazing but can u guide me , how we can feed through feed pipe to the neck cancer patient?
I’m not sure, Hina. Please ask your doctor or dietitian if this is possible. Wishing you many blessings on the road ahead.
Hi Rachel! Planning to make a big batch of this for my best friend’s dad. He just got out of the hospital after a bad reaction to his first chemo treatment. The only thing is, she told me he doesn’t like cooked carrots. Can I substitute something like potatoes or sweet potatoes? Any other recommendations? Thank you for your recipe and your time and prayers!
Hi Jane. I think potatoes sound like a good replacement. Peel and dice into bite-sized pieces, and then add them in with the broth step after you saute the aromatics (celery, onion, and garlic). You are SO kind to make this for him. I’ll pray for him right now.