10+ Gut Healing Recipes to Soothe Your Digestive System Naturally
Your gut has a huge impact on how you feel, honestly. Eating the right foods can make a real difference in digestion and gut health.
Gut healing recipes focus on ingredients that help soothe and repair your digestive system.
These recipes often use simple, natural foods that are gentle on your stomach. You’ll see meals with fiber, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory ingredients—all meant to help your gut recover and just feel better, really.
1) Miso Salmon with Ginger Noodles
This dish brings together the rich taste of salmon with the warming flavors of miso and ginger. Miso is a fermented paste that adds good bacteria to your digestive system.
The ginger noodles give a fresh, spicy kick that helps with digestion. You’ll appreciate how quickly this meal comes together—it’s about 25 minutes, tops.
It’s perfect for a healthy dinner when you’re short on time. The salmon gets a miso glaze before broiling, which makes it super tender and flavorful.
Serving it over ginger soy noodles gives you a balanced plate that’s gentle on your stomach.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 3 tablespoons miso paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 8 ounces wholemeal or soba noodles
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Optional: chili flakes for heat
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix miso paste, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar in a bowl.
- Brush salmon with the miso mixture and let it marinate for 10 minutes.
- Broil salmon for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions, then drain.
- Toss noodles with sesame oil and extra ginger if you like.
- Serve salmon on top of the noodles. Enjoy!
Find more details on preparing this recipe at BBC Good Food’s Miso Salmon with Ginger Noodles.
2) Spicy Chickpea Stew
This spicy chickpea stew is a solid pick for gut health. Chickpeas bring a ton of fiber to help digestion and support healthy gut bacteria.
The stew uses warming spices like turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon, which add flavor without upsetting your stomach. Coconut milk makes it creamy and soothing.
Fresh ginger adds a little zing and is kind to your stomach. This stew works great as a filling, plant-based meal.
You can cook this one in a single pot. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes, so it’s doable even on a busy night.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in ginger, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and chili flakes; cook for 1 minute.
- Add chickpeas, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Stir well.
- Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook for 25 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro if you want.
3) Bircher Muesli with Apple & Banana
Bircher muesli is gentle on your gut because it uses soaked oats. Soaking them overnight makes oats easier to digest and gives the muesli a creamy texture.
You get a tasty, filling breakfast that supports your digestive health. Adding fresh apples and bananas gives natural sweetness and more fiber.
This helps keep things moving smoothly. Toss in seeds or nuts for extra crunch and nutrition.
It’s super simple to prep—just mix everything the night before and enjoy it cold right from the fridge.
Ingredients
- 30g rolled oats
- 100g apple, grated
- 100g banana, sliced
- 50ml fat-free Greek yogurt
- A pinch of cinnamon
- Optional: almonds, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds
Cooking Instructions
- Mix oats and yogurt in a bowl.
- Add grated apple, banana slices, and cinnamon.
- Stir well, cover, and soak overnight in the fridge.
- Top with nuts or seeds before serving.
Find more on bircher muesli here.
4) Lemon & Mint Aubergine
Lemon & Mint Aubergine is a gentle dish that’s actually pretty satisfying. Aubergines bring a lot of fiber, which helps keep your digestion on track.
Fresh lemon and mint add a bright, soothing flavor that’s easy on your stomach. You cook the aubergine slowly until it’s soft and creamy.
The lemon gives it a nice zing, and the mint keeps things fresh. Pair it with almond couscous or a light yogurt sauce if you want more texture.
It’s colorful, simple, and comes together in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 large aubergines, diced
- 1 lemon, juice and zest
- A handful of fresh mint, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup almond couscous (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add diced aubergine and cook for 15-20 minutes until soft.
- Stir in lemon juice, zest, and chopped mint.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm, with almond couscous if you like.
5) Mashed Bone Broth Cauliflower
Mashed bone broth cauliflower is gentle on your gut and packed with nutrients. Using bone broth instead of water adds protein and minerals that support healing.
You end up with a creamy mash and a rich, savory flavor. This dish works as a side or a base for other meals.
It’s easy to make and fits right into a gut-friendly diet. The bone broth soothes your digestive system, while cauliflower brings fiber and vitamins.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup bone broth
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Boil cauliflower in bone broth until tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Drain, saving some broth.
- Blend cauliflower, garlic, butter, and a splash of broth until smooth.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Warm through if needed, then serve.
Mashed Cauliflower with Bone Broth recipe
6) Gut-Healing Veggie Curry with Coconut Quinoa
This veggie curry is gentle on your gut and brings tons of flavor. Coconut milk makes it creamy and adds healthy fats that support digestion.
The veggies offer fiber, which helps keep your gut moving. Using coconut quinoa instead of regular rice gives you extra protein and a subtle nutty taste.
Spices like turmeric and ginger help reduce inflammation and might soothe your digestive system. It’s easy to make and honestly just comforting.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 can coconut milk (14 oz)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 cups mixed veggies (carrots, bell peppers, spinach)
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Rinse quinoa well. Cook with 1 cup coconut milk and 1 cup water on medium heat until liquid is absorbed (about 15 minutes).
- Heat coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until soft.
- Add curry powder and turmeric. Stir for 1 minute.
- Add mixed veggies and remaining coconut milk. Simmer until veggies are tender (about 10 minutes).
- Season with salt. Serve veggie curry over coconut quinoa warm.
7) Fermented Sauerkraut
Fermented sauerkraut is a simple, tasty way to get more probiotics into your diet. These good bacteria can really help your gut.
When you make it at home, you control the ingredients and skip the preservatives. It’s honestly way fresher than most store-bought versions.
All you need is salt and sliced cabbage. The salt draws out the cabbage juices and encourages natural fermentation.
Over time, you get sauerkraut with a tangy flavor and probiotic benefits. Eat it as a side or toss it on sandwiches and salads for extra crunch.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cabbage
- 1.5 tablespoons of salt (non-iodized)
Cooking Instructions
- Thinly slice the cabbage.
- Place cabbage in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt.
- Massage the cabbage for about 5-10 minutes until it gets watery.
- Pack the cabbage tightly into a clean jar, pressing down to remove air bubbles.
- Make sure the cabbage is submerged in its juice.
- Cover the jar with a cloth or loose lid.
- Let it ferment at room temperature (65-75°F / 18-24°C) for 1-3 weeks.
- Taste it every few days until it hits your favorite tanginess.
- Store it in the fridge once you’re happy with the flavor.
8) Homemade Yogurt
Making yogurt at home really isn’t hard. You just warm up the milk, let it cool a bit, then stir in a starter culture.
After that, you let it sit and incubate for hours so the good bacteria can do their thing. An Instant Pot or yogurt maker works well for keeping it warm while it ferments.
If you want more probiotics, let it ferment a little longer. Some folks like to add prebiotic fibers to feed the good bacteria.
Dairy-free yogurt? Totally doable—use coconut or almond milk if cow’s milk isn’t your thing. The best part about homemade yogurt is you get to decide what goes in and how thick or tangy you want it.
Ingredients:
- 1 quart (4 cups) milk (dairy or dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt with live cultures or probiotic powder
- Optional: 1 tablespoon prebiotic fiber (like inulin)
Cooking Instructions:
- Heat milk to 180°F (82°C) and hold for 5 minutes.
- Let it cool down to 110°F (43°C).
- Stir in your starter yogurt or probiotic powder.
- Pour into containers and keep at 110°F (43°C) for 8-12 hours.
- Stick it in the fridge before you eat.
Want more details? Check out this Instant Pot yogurt recipe.
9) Bone Broth Enriched Mashed Potatoes
Bone broth in mashed potatoes? That’s a gut-friendly upgrade if you ask me.
Bone broth brings minerals and nutrients that support digestion and the gut lining. You can swap out some or all of the milk or cream for chicken or beef bone broth.
This adds depth and nutrition, but doesn’t load on extra fat. Roasted garlic is a game changer here—it makes everything taste richer and adds a hint of sweetness.
Boil your potatoes until they’re fork-tender. Mash them with warm bone broth for a creamy, satisfying bowl.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 cup bone broth (chicken or beef)
- 1 head of garlic
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Roast garlic: wrap the whole head in foil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30-40 minutes.
- Boil potatoes in water until they’re soft when pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and mash them in a bowl.
- Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves right into the potatoes.
- Add bone broth and butter or olive oil, then mix until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve it warm and enjoy.
10) Creamy Broccoli Soup
This creamy broccoli soup feels gentle on your gut and is super easy to digest. It’s got a good dose of fiber and antioxidants to help with digestion and maybe even calm some inflammation.
You can keep it vegan, or toss in a bit of collagen broth if you want extra gut support. The best part? It comes together fast and actually makes those green veggies taste pretty great.
Simple ingredients like broccoli, garlic, and onion really make this soup comforting—especially on days when your stomach just wants something easy.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups vegetable or collagen broth
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other plant milk)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until they’re soft—about 5 minutes.
- Toss in the broccoli and pour in the broth. Bring everything to a boil, then let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Blend the soup until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the almond milk, salt, and pepper. Warm it up gently, then ladle it into bowls.
If you want to dig deeper into healthy broccoli soup, check out this anti-inflammatory broccoli soup.