Soup in a jar Recipes: 1 Quart Jars

🍲 Homemade Soup Mix in a Jar – A Cozy Gift & Pantry Staple

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of soup—and what’s even better is having that comfort ready to go whenever you need it.

Soup mixes in a jar are not only a thoughtful and budget-friendly gift idea, but they’re also a practical meal prep solution for busy nights.

Whether you’re making these for your own pantry or gifting them during the holidays or for a housewarming, these layered jars are as beautiful as they are functional.

In this post, we’ll share how to make your own soup mix jars from scratch, including ingredients, assembly tips, storage instructions, and how to cook them when you’re ready.

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🫙 Storing Your Soup Mix Jars

• Shelf Life: Store in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months.
• Containers: Use quart-size (32 oz) mason jars with tight-fitting lids or any airtight jar or container.
• Labeling Tip: Don’t forget to attach a cute tag or label with the cooking instructions and expiration date.

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🧂 Base Recipe – Country Vegetable Soup Mix

Ingredients (Layer in this order in the jar):

• ½ cup dried green split peas, ½ cup dried red lentils, ½ cup barley or small pasta (like ditalini), ½ cup dried chopped carrots, ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 vegetable bouillon cube (wrapped in parchment or added separately)

Cooking Instructions: ( Applies to all the Soup Jar Mixes )

Add contents of the jar to a large pot with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, or until lentils and barley are tender. Stir occasionally. Add salt or seasoning to taste.

5 Bean Soup in a Jar

½ cup dried kidney bean, ½ cup dried black beans, ½ cup dried pinto beans, ½ cup dried navy beans, ½ cup dried great northern beans, ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried celery flakes, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp black pepper

2 vegetable bouillon cubes (wrapped and added separately or tucked into the top of the jar)

Beefy Bean Soup Mix

• ½ cup dried red kidney beans, ½ cup dried black beans, ½ cup dried pinto beans, ½ cup dried navy beans, ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried celery flakes, 2 tbsp dried green bell pepper flakes (optional), 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• 2 beef bouillon cubes (wrapped separately and placed on top)

Optional: Add ¼ cup small pasta (like elbow or ditalini) on top if space allows, for a thicker soup.

Broccoli Potato Soup Mix

• 1 cup instant mashed potato flakes, ½ cup powdered milk (or omit if gifting to someone who is dairy-free), ½ cup dried broccoli florets
• ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried carrot flakes, 1 tbsp cornstarch (for slight thickening), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp celery salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper, 1 vegetable or chicken bouillon cube (wrapped and placed at the top)

Optional: Add ¼ cup cheddar cheese powder for a cheesy broccoli version – when cooking

Curried Lentil Soup Mix

• ¾ cup red lentils, ¾ cup green lentils, ½ cup dried onion flakes, ¼ cup dried carrot flakes, ¼ cup dried tomato flakes (or sun-dried tomatoes), 2 tbsp dried celery flakes, 1 tsp curry powder, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp ground coriander, ½ tsp ginger powder, ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 vegetable bouillon cube (wrapped separately and placed on top)

Optional: Add 2 tbsp coconut milk powder for a creamy finish in the cooked soup.

Lentil Brown Rice Dry Soup Mix

• ¾ cup green or brown lentils, ½ cup brown rice, ¼ cup dried onion flakes, ¼ cup dried carrot flakes, 2 tbsp dried celery flakes, 2 tbsp dried tomato flakes (or sun-dried tomato bits), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried parsley,½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp thyme
• 1 vegetable bouillon cube (wrapped and placed on top)

Optional: Add 1 bay leaf to the jar for extra flavor.

Make Ahead Split Pea Soup Mix

• 1 cup green split peas, ½ cup yellow split peas (or use all green if unavailable), ¼ cup dried onion flakes, ¼ cup dried carrot flakes, 2 tbsp dried celery flakes, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 bay leaf
• 1 vegetable or ham-flavored bouillon cube (wrapped separately and placed on top)

Optional: Add 1 tsp smoked paprika for a smoky flavor or suggest adding diced ham while cooking for a classic touch.

Pasta Fagioli Soup Mix

• ½ cup dried red kidney beans, ½ cup dried white navy or cannellini beans, ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried carrot flakes, 2 tbsp dried celery flakes, 2 tbsp dried tomato flakes, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp oregano, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional), ½ tsp black pepper, 1 bay leaf
• 1 vegetable or beef bouillon cube (wrapped separately and placed on top)
• ½ cup small pasta (like ditalini or elbow) – place in a small bag or container on top to keep separate

Optional: Include 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese powder (in a separate packet) for serving.

Potato Soup Jar Mix

• 1 cup instant mashed potato flakes, ½ cup powdered milk (or omit for dairy-free), ¼ cup powdered non-dairy creamer (adds richness), ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried chives, 2 tbsp bacon bits (real or vegetarian – optional, best if mix is used within 3–6 months), 1 tbsp cornstarch (for extra thickness), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 chicken or vegetable bouillon cube (wrapped and added on top)

Optional: Add ¼ cup cheddar cheese powder for a cheesy potato version.

Rainbow Bean Soup

• ½ cup red kidney beans, ½ cup black beans, ½ cup navy beans (or great northern beans), ½ cup pinto beans, ½ cup green split peas, ¼ cup yellow split peas or yellow lentils, ¼ cup red lentils, ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried carrot flakes, 1 tbsp dried celery flakes, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional), ½ tsp black pepper
• 1–2 vegetable or beef bouillon cubes (wrapped separately and placed on top)
• 1 bay leaf (tucked in the side for presentation)

Optional: Add 2 tbsp pearl barley or small pasta for added texture if space allows.

Spicy Black Bean Soup Jar

• 1 cup dried black beans, ½ cup dried pinto beans (optional, for extra heartiness), ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried bell pepper flakes (red or green), 2 tbsp dried tomato flakes (or sun-dried tomato bits), 1 tbsp dried cilantro, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference), ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp oregano, 1–2 vegetable or chicken bouillon cubes (wrapped and placed on top)
• Optional: 1 small dried chili pepper (for decoration or extra heat)

Tip: Include a tag suggestion to add lime juice and fresh cilantro when serving for a burst of flavor!

Taco Soup in a Jar

• ½ cup dried black beans, ½ cup dried pinto beans, ¼ cup dried red lentils (helps thicken the soup), ¼ cup dried corn (freeze-dried or dehydrated), ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried bell pepper flakes (red or green), 1 tbsp dried tomato flakes
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning blend:
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp salt
• 1–2 beef or vegetable bouillon cubes (wrapped separately and placed on top)

Optional: Include 2 tbsp rice or small pasta (like orzo) if there’s room in the jar.

Texas 2 Step Soup Mix

• ½ cup dried red kidney beans, ½ cup dried black beans, ½ cup dried pinto beans ¼ cup dried corn (freeze-dried or dehydrated), ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried bell pepper flakes, 2 tbsp dried tomato flakes
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning blend:
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
• 1 beef or vegetable bouillon cube (wrapped separately and placed on top)
• Optional: 2 tbsp white rice or small pasta to add extra body to the soup

Tip: For a smoky version, add ½ tsp chipotle powder or a few dashes of liquid smoke when cooking.

Three Bean Chili Mix

• ½ cup dried red kidney beans, ½ cup dried black beans, ½ cup dried pinto beans, ¼ cup dried onion flakes, 2 tbsp dried bell pepper flakes, 2 tbsp dried tomato flakes, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat), ½ tsp black pepper
• 1–2 beef or vegetable bouillon cubes (wrapped and placed on top)
• Optional: 1 bay leaf for added depth

Optional Add-in: Include ¼ cup quick-cook barley or 2 tbsp masa harina (corn flour) in a separate packet for thickening the chili.

Tortellini Soup in a Jar

• 1 cup dried cheese tortellini (available in the dry pasta aisle), ¼ cup dried onion flakes, ¼ cup dried tomato flakes (or sun-dried tomato bits), 2 tbsp dried spinach flakes, 2 tbsp dried carrot flakes, 1 tbsp dried celery flakes, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp dried basil, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional), ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 vegetable or chicken bouillon cube (wrapped and placed on top)
• Optional: 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese powder (in a separate packet)

💡 Layer the tortellini on top to prevent it from breaking under the weight of other ingredients.