Do you want a simple way to prepare a healthy meal in minutes? Or maybe you're worried about how to create tasty recipes from all those dried goods in your pantry. In either case, a mason jar soup mix is a great solution. Read on for my simple yet tasty, easy mason jar soup mix recipe.
This mason jar soup is a frugal, easy-to-make, and versatile pantry staple. This mason jar soup recipe is perfect for meal prepping, gifting, or even keeping on hand for those cold fall and winter days.
Why Make Mason Jar Soup?
First of all, I should preface this by saying I LOVE soup. It's comforting, frugal, and tasty. Plus, I wouldn't say I like food waste.
That's why I created my Turmeric Lentil Soup recipe. And my Carrot and Lentil Soup over on Recipes From Leftovers is another family favorite.
But sometimes, I don't have time to make a soup with a long ingredient list. And that's where mason jar soups really shine.
The truth is, there are just so many reasons to create your own mason jar soup mixes. For example, I grab a jar when something unexpected comes up during a busy weekday and I don't have time to cook from scratch.
Mason jar soup mixes also come in handy during our annual pantry-saving challenge each January. That's when we eat from our pantry and minimize shopping trips to save money and use up older food items. And I honestly believe that lentil recipes are among the best foods for prepping.
- Meal Planning: Mason jar soup mixes are great for quick meals. They take up little space in the pantry, and when you're ready to make the soup, just add a few fresh ingredients.
- Save Money: Creating your own mason jar soup mix is more cost-effective than buying pre-packaged versions. You can stretch your budget by purchasing ingredients like dried beans and peas in bulk.
- Emergency Food: In times of emergency or when access to fresh food is limited, mason jar soup mixes are useful. They are shelf-stable and only require a few additional ingredients and water to make a hearty meal.
- Gifting: Mason jar soups make thoughtful and practical gifts. A decorated jar filled with soup mix, paired with a handwritten recipe card, a dish towel, and a wooden spoon, makes a heartwarming gift for a hostess, new mom, or friend who could use some comfort. You could also include it in a gift basket with some beeswax wraps and my Mason Jar pancake mix.
Ingredients for Mason Jar Soup Mix
This mason jar soup recipe includes basic dried ingredients that layer beautifully in a one-quart mason jar. Feel free to swap out or add any dried items you have on hand. For example, you can use dried beans, peas, or lentils of various colors and textures.
Here's what you'll need for each soup mix:
- ½ cup uncooked ditalini pasta (wrapped separately in plastic wrap)
- 1 cup dried split peas
- 1 cup dried lentils
- ½ cup pearl barley
- ⅓ cup beef granules (for flavor)
- ¼ cup dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 bay leaves
To Make the Soup (Additional Ingredients):
- 1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz) can tomato paste
- 4 quarts of water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions for Creating Your Mason Jar Soup Mix
- Layer Ingredients in the Jar: Sterilize a one-quart mason jar before layering the ingredients. The order of the layers is up to you, but if you want a visually appealing presentation, break up the colors of the ingredients. For example, start with minced onions, then split peas, pasta (wrapped in plastic), beef granules, barley, lentils, herbs, and rice, and finish with split peas. Don't forget to include the bay leaves.
- Wrap the Pasta Separately: Since pasta cooks quickly, store it in plastic wrap to keep it separate from the other ingredients. This prevents the pasta from getting mushy during cooking.
- Prepare a Recipe Card: Write out the cooking instructions on a card and tie it to the Jar with a ribbon. This is especially helpful if you're gifting the soup mix.
How to Make the Soup
When you're ready to cook your mason jar soup mix, follow these easy steps:
- Brown the Meat: Brown 1 lb of ground beef in a pan and drain off the excess fat.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, add the contents of the mason jar (excluding the pasta), ground beef, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and 4 quarts of water.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 45 minutes.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the pasta, cover, and continue to simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to your preference.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper as desired before serving.
Alternative Ingredient Options
For variety or dietary preferences, feel free to change up the ingredients. Here are a few alternatives:
- Beans: Substitute dried split peas with dried black beans, pinto beans, or any beans you prefer.
- Lentils: Try using red lentils for a different texture and taste.
- Grains: Use quinoa or small pasta shapes like orzo instead of barley or rice.
Make Mason Jar Soup Mixes a Pantry Staple
A mason jar soup mix is a quick and easy way to make a hearty meal. With its flexibility in ingredients and various benefits like meal planning, emergency preparedness, and gifting, this soup mix is an excellent addition to your pantry. You can personalize it to your tastes, making every bowl of soup unique and satisfying.
Mason Jar Soup Mix Recipe FAQs
How long can a mason jar soup mix be stored?
A mason jar soup mix can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 12 months. Ensure that the Jar is tightly sealed to keep the ingredients fresh.
Can I make a vegetarian version of this mason jar soup?
Yes, you can easily make this a vegetarian soup by omitting the beef granules and using vegetable broth or bouillon instead. You can also leave out the ground beef and add more beans or lentils for protein.
What other ingredients can I add to the soup when cooking?
When preparing the soup, feel free to add extra vegetables like carrots, celery, or potatoes. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme can also enhance the flavor. Add some chili powder or red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier taste.
This mason jar soup mix recipe is delicious and comforting but also practical and versatile for every household.
Recipe
Easy Mason Jar Soup Mix Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked ditalini pasta
- 1 cup dried split peas
- 1 cup dried lentils
- ½ cup pearl barley
- ⅓ cup beef granules
- ¼ cup dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 bay leaves
Additional Ingredients to Make Mason Jar Soup
- 1 lb lean ground beef cooked and drained
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 16 ounce can tomato paste
- 4 quarts water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wrap pasta in plastic to keep it separate from the other ingredients, if you cook it as long as the other ingredients they will just be mush. You could also substitute ditalini for alphabet pasta, macaroni, or other small pasta.
- Layer ingredients in a sterilized one-quart mason jar.
- You can layer the ingredients in any order you like in the jar but if you are going for the prettiest presentation you want to break up the colors so that there is variation in each layer.
- I went; with onion, dried split peas, pasta, beef granules, barley, lentils, herbs, rice, and split peas.
- Write the recipe for preparing the soup on a card. If you are gifting it, tie it to the jar with a ribbon.
To make soup:
- Brown and drain 1 lb of ground beef.
- Stir the contents of the jar into 4 quarts of water, ground beef, a can of diced tomatoes, and then add salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring ingredients to a boil then cover, and reduce to a simmer for 45 minutes.
- Stir in pasta, replace the lid, and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
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