Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (2024)

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Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (1)

By Tiffany Published Last Updated: October 25, 2023 59 Comments

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Homemade dry onion soup mix takes just 4 simple ingredients, so skip the store-bought packets and make this easy version instead. It’s easy, frugal, and delicious!

Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (2)

Growing up, my mom would almost always have a box of Lipton dry onion soup mix in the pantry. You could call it a childhood classic, or a home-style favorite (a lot like Stove-Top Mac and Cheese or Classic Shepherd’s Pie).

You can also call it unhealthy since it’s filled with additives, corn syrup, and processed oils.

So I set out to make a homemade copycat version of the classic flavor that we all loved as kids. No more fake stuff, no more packages, no more ingredients you can’t pronounce. And voila! This is even better than the store-bought version.

Not only is your family going to love this recipe, but this homemade dry onion soup mix recipe is awesome because it’s:

  • Healthy
  • Frugal
  • So much more delicious than store-bought packets
  • Super easy to make with only 4 main ingredients

ONION SOUP RECIPE MIX INGREDIENTS

Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (3)

You only need 4 ingredients for this homemade onion soup recipe mix, although there are several additional optional ingredients for added flavor.

  • Dried Onion Flakes. Also known as dehydrated onion and comes in various sizes, depending on the store you’re shopping at.
  • Onion Powder. Also known as granulated onion. This is a super fine powder that looks like garlic powder if you don’t read the label properly. (Ask me how I know!)
  • Ground Celery Seed. Not SUPER common, but necessary if you want that classic taste that only packaged dry onion soup mix can give. If you have whole celery seeds, you’ll want to grind them up with a mortar and pestle before making this recipe. (You can use celery seed in Homemade Chicken Stock and in Homemade Breakfast Sausage too.)
  • Beef Bouillon Granules. Be sure to check the ingredient list on your bouillon for chemical ingredients. Even some organic brands I’ve seen have MSG in them.
  • Granulated Garlic (optional)
  • Salt (optional)
  • Black Pepper (optional)
  • Sugar (optional)
  • Paprika (optional)
Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (4)

ONION SOUP MIX RECIPE TIPS

  • You may notice that I only listed 4 main ingredients so far. That’s because that’s all you REALLY need to make dry onion soup mix. All the other ingredients are optional.
  • I do, however, recommend adding the other ingredients listed because it really is good!
  • The only item I’d still consider “optional” would be the salt. Whether or not you add it depends on the type of bullion you’re using, and what you’re making. Remember that you can always add more salt, but once it’s in, you can’t take it out!

Psst! If you DO want to use salt, I HIGHLY recommend Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Get all the benefits of “homemade” with this top-quality salt. Plus, you can get a bag for just 1¢!!

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1. Combine all ingredients in aglass jar.

Step 2. Use ¼ cup (4 Tbsp) in lieu of one packet of dry onion soup mix.

Step 3. Store in a cool pantry.

Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (5)

ADDITIONAL DRY ONION SOUP MIX TIPS

  • If you use this recipe for instant soup, use Homemade Stock or beef broth instead of beef bouillon and avoid the too-much-salt situation entirely.
  • To make this dry mix vegetarian or vegan, substitute vegetable bouillon instead of beef.
  • One ¼ cup serving is the equivalent of one envelope of dry onion soup mix.
  • This recipe is a bigger batch. Not massive, but you’ll get at least 3 servings out of it.
  • I like to make a big batch and store it in the spice cabinet in a re-purposed jar. Then I scoop out 4 Tablespoons (equivalent to ¼ cup) for whatever recipe I’m making (here’s how to remove the labels of your old jars).

HOMEMADE ONION SOUP MIX FAQS

Can I use onion powder instead of onion soup mix?

Onion powder is a component of onion soup mix. But this homemade onion soup mix contains other ingredients like beef bouillon, onion flakes, and celery seed for that classic onion soup mix flavor. Plus, optional flavors like granulated garlic, paprika, salt & pepper.

How do you make Lipton onion soup mix from scratch?

This recipe is the best homemade copycat Lipton onion soup mix recipe from scratch!

Is dry onion soup mix healthy?

Let’s look at the typical packet of Lipton onion soup mix:

Onions, salt, corn starch, onion powder, sugar, soy sauce (fermented soybeans, wheat, salt), caramel color, maltodextrin, corn syrup, yeast extract, high oleic sunflower oil, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate.

If you cannot pronounce the ingredient name, it’s best not to eat it! Plus, corn syrup, artificial colors, and modified oils. No, thank you! This homemade copycat dry onion soup mix is your healthiest, easiest, and most delicious recipe!

Is homemade onion soup mix gluten free?

Most of the spices used in this onion soup mix are naturally gluten-free. Check the labels, especially on the bouillon, to make sure.

Does dry onion soup mix have MSG?

MSG has lots of fancy names. It’s also one of my top ingredients to avoid. Packaged dry onion soup mixes likely have MSG. This homemade version does not, as long as you’ve checked your bouillon labels carefully.

Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (6)

RECIPES USING DRY ONION SOUP MIX

Use this healthy substitute for dry onion soup mix in any of these recipes:

  • Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast
  • The Best Burgers Ever
  • Basic Roasted Potatoes
  • Mix with sour cream or Plain Greek Yogurt to make a French onion dip!

P.S…One of the core principles of my course Grocery Budget Bootcamp is making food from scratch when it makes sense. Homemade soup mix fits the criteria!

MORE EASY HOMEMADE SEASONINGS

  • Homemade Seasoning Salt
  • Chili Seasoning
  • Homemade Italian Seasoning
  • Montreal Steak Seasoning

WATCH HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE DRY ONION SOUP MIX

Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe

Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (7)
Print Recipe
★★★★★5 from 10 reviews

Onion soup mix takes just 4 simple ingredients, so skip the store-bought packets and make this homemade version instead. It’s easy, frugal, and delicious!

  • Author: Tiffany
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: about 3 packets 1x
  • Category: Sauces/Condiments
  • Method: Combine
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

  • ¾ cup onion flakes
  • cup powdered beef bullion
  • 4 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp ground celery seed
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic (opt)
  • 1 tsp salt (opt)
  • ½ tsp pepper (opt)
  • ¼ tsp sugar (opt)
  • ¼ tsp paprika (opt)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar.
  2. Use ¼ cup (4 Tbsp) in lieu of one packet of dry onion soup mix.
  3. Store in a cool pantry.

Notes

  • If you use this recipe for instant soup, use Homemade Stock or beef broth instead of beef bouillon and avoid the too-much-salt situation entirely.
  • To make this dry mix vegetarian or vegan, substitute vegetable bouillon instead of beef.
  • One ¼ cup serving is the equivalent of one envelope of dry onion soup mix.
  • This recipe is a bigger batch. Not massive, but you’ll get at least 3 servings out of it.
  • I like to make a big batch and store it in the spice cabinet in a re-purposed jar. Then I scoop out 4 Tablespoons (equivalent to ¼ cup) for whatever recipe I’m making (here’s how to remove the labels of your old jars).

Nutrition

  • Calories: 20

Keywords: onion soup mix

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Reader Interactions

59 Comments

  1. Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (12)Joe

    Hello! I’m retired male. From time to time I use a diy onion soup mix using beef bouillon powder in the recipe. I use a tablespoon of the mix add boiling water and add 2 tablespoons of Minute Rice and let sit for 5 mins. Question can I use the same amount of chicken bouillon powder to replace the beef bouillon powder.
    I also make Roman Noodles discard the packet and use 1 tablespoon of the diy onion soup mix!
    Many Thanks
    Joe

    Reply to this comment

    • Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (13)Brittany @ Team Crumbs

      Hello Joe,
      Yes, you can use the chicken bouillon powder to replace the beef bouillon powder. We’re so glad that you enjoy this recipe. Thank you for posting! 🙂

      Reply to this comment

  2. Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (14)Krystal

    Do you have a container that you store your diy seasonings in? I would love for my containers to match and be able to label them to make them look pretty. ☺️

    Reply to this comment

    • Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (15)Karen @ Team Crumbs

      Hi Krystal,

      We usually just use nice ball jars because they’re easy to find, pretty, and affordable. Hope this helps. 🙂

      Reply to this comment

  3. Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (16)Liane

    Two comments. Knorr ingredient include MSG. Also Penney’s has toasted onion flakes. Money saving tip: get on mailing list so you get their printed catalog. Has loads of good recipes but best of all they occasionally have free shipping with a minimum order. Their shipping is usually horribly high.

    Reply to this comment

  4. Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (17)Jakob

    I know this recipe has been up for a while but I thought I’d add a comment that I loved this. Worked so well.
    For the bouliion, I’m in the UK and there a brand of stock cubes (what bouillon is often called in UK) called kallo (www.kallo.com) which are superb. No artificial colours or preservatives. No added msg, very low salt, gluten and lactose free and coeliac friendly. If you can get hold of them they’re incredibly tasty

    Reply to this comment

    • Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (18)Tiffany

      Thanks for the brand recommendation Jakob!

      Reply to this comment

      • Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (19)Jerrie

        Tiffany, what boullion do you use? I thought they all had msg in them.

    • Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (20)Della Humphrey

      Jakob, you are a lifesaver! Thank you so much! I just ordered on Amazon.

      Reply to this comment

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Effortless Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients!) (2024)

FAQs

What is dry onion soup mix made of? ›

Officially, Lipton's lists the ingredients as: Onions (deyhydrated), salt, cornstarch, onion powder, sugar, corn syrup, hydrolyzed soy protein, caramel color, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, monosodium glutamate, yeast extract, natural flavors (wheat), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate.

What is a substitute for Lipton onion soup mix? ›

Stir onion flakes, beef bouillon granules, onion powder, parsley flakes, celery seed, paprika, and black pepper together in a bowl. Use as a substitute for a 1-ounce envelope of dry onion soup mix.

What is the difference between French onion and onion soup mix? ›

What is the Difference Between Onion Soup and French Onion Soup? French onion soup is always made with beef stock. Other onion soups can be made with chicken, vegetable, or beef stock. Additionally, French onion soup typically contains wine or sherry, which isn't typical or necessary in other onion soups.

How long is Lipton onion soup mix good for? ›

Unopened packets of onion soup mix can last up to two years when stored in a cool, dry place. This is subject to the 'best by' printed date. However, it will not become harmful after this, but may lose flavour over time. Once it has been opened, try to use it within a few weeks for maximum flavour.

How do you make dehydrated onion powder? ›

Line dehydrator trays with onion slices in a single layer, it's ok if they overlap a bit. Dehydrate onion slices for 6-8 hours at 150 degrees F or until all onion pieces snap easily and are completely dry. Grind dried onion slices in a high-powered blender, food processor or spice grinder until a fine powder.

Is dry soup mix healthy? ›

They are healthier than most processed foods available in the market. There is preservation of flavor and most nutrients in the soup. However, they are often high in sodium content and contain preservatives and added color. It is best to make soup at home from scratch.

What can I substitute for dried onion flakes? ›

Instead of 1 tablespoon of onion flakes, try 2 to 3 tablespoons of jarred minced onion, 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of onion salt (and reduce the amount of any other salt added to the recipe), 1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen onion, or 2/3 cup of chopped green onions.

Can you use onion powder instead of onion in soup? ›

Because of its fine powdered consistency, it is great to add directly into soups, stews, and sauces as it mixes right in. Can you substitute Onion Powder for onion? Yes!

Why is it called French onion soup mix? ›

The classic French onion soup gets its name from its country of origin: France. After making its debut in the 18th century, it has become a national treasure. During ancient times (and still today), onions were cheap and easy to grow, and hence, readily available.

How do you deepen the flavor of French onion soup? ›

My personal go-tos include worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, and brandy. Each deepens the flavor of french onion soup. Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce are other great options.

Why do you put baking soda in French onion soup? ›

The caramelized onions for this soup cook more quickly due to a pinch of baking soda but still have that deep, slow-cooked flavor. Topping the soup with hot, cheesy toasts prepared while the soup simmers, eliminates the need to bake the soup in specialty French onion soup bowls.

Why is onion soup so good? ›

French onion soup is the ultimate comfort food. Onions get slowly cooked until sweet and caramelized, then simmered in rich broth until they're practically falling apart. To finish it off, toasted bread is added to give it that lovable crisp-gone-soggy texture and a generous amount of Gruyère cheese is melted on top.

Can you use expired dry onion soup mix? ›

A package of soup mix past its 'best by' date may still be safe to consume if it shows no signs of spoilage. Consumers should understand that these dates are not hard-and-fast expiration dates but rather the manufacturer's estimate of when the product will be at its best flavor and quality.

Can French onion soup go bad? ›

However, like anything else, French onion soup won't last forever. Once they've gone bad, leftovers will lose their quality and are at risk of spreading harmful bacteria. After it's been stored correctly, a container of French onion soup will safely last three to four days in the refrigerator.

Is it OK to eat out of date packet soup? ›

Soups in cartons and packets: If you are using soup from a carton beyond the “use by” date, let your nose be your guide, Frost says, and check for cloudiness and odor. Once it is opened, store the soup in the refrigerator and use it within two weeks.

Is onion powder just dehydrated onion? ›

Onion powder is a popular ingredient used in recipes around the world. It's made from finely ground dehydrated onions that have been carefully dried and processed into a powder. This versatile ingredient is used in various recipes, including soups, stews, dressings, and marinades.

Is dried onion and onion powder the same thing? ›

Onion powder is basically dried onion that's been ground. Although dried onion is just the onion flesh, onion powder can also include dehydrated onion skins and roots. Onion powder is three times more potent than dried onion, so for 1 cup of fresh onion, you would substitute only 1 tablespoon of onion powder.

What is the difference between dried onion and onion powder? ›

Onion powder and ground onions have many overlaps and both are just dehydrated onion. But while the two spices have an equivalent flavor profile and can generally be used interchangeably, onion powder (like the name suggests) is much finer.

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