Soup in a Jar: Easy Homemade Gift (Plus Free Printable Tags)

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Some of my favorite gifts don’t come wrapped in paper. They come in a mason jar. One Christmas I layered up a big batch of homemade soup mix in jars for folks at church, and it was one of the easiest and most-loved gifts I’ve ever made.

Then my guys took off on a last-minute hunting trip, so I sent a bunch of these jars along with them, plus some of my home-canned soups. I was a little worried about glass in a hunting camp, but they came home saying it was the best hunting food they’ve ever had. They loved both. They just dumped a jar into a pot, added water, cooked it over the propane stove, and dinner was done. Store-bought soups and stews always hurt their stomachs. Homemade was awesome.

Why Soup in a Jar Is the Perfect Gift

• It’s cheap. Pasta, ramen and bouillon cost just a few dollars, and one batch fills a lot of jars.
• It’s quick. No cooking or canning. You’re just layering dry ingredients.
• It’s shelf stable. Everything in the jar is dry, so it sits happily in a pantry or a truck.
• It’s useful. Busy moms, college kids, neighbors, hunters and campers all love a homemade meal they can make in one pot.

What Goes in My Soup Mix

Mine is a hearty beef noodle soup made from things you can find at any grocery store:

• Tri-color pasta (spirals or bowties) mixed with dried vegetables
• Beef ramen noodles, broken up, plus the seasoning packets
• Beef bouillon (I use Knorr)
• Clean, dry pint or quart mason jars with lids

How to Make Soup in a Jar

1. Mix your dry ingredients

Stir the pasta and dried vegetables together in a big bowl. Break the ramen noodles into small pieces so they pack in tight and cook fast.

2. Fill the jars

Use a canning funnel to fill each jar. You can stir everything together or layer it for a pretty look. Tuck the bouillon and ramen seasoning in so the jar has everything it needs.

3. Lid, label and tag

Screw the lids on tight and add a tag with cooking directions so whoever gets it knows exactly what to do. I made free printable tags for you (see below)!

How to Cook It

Empty the jar into a big pot. Then fill the empty jar right up to the top with water and pour that in too. Bring it to a boil and simmer until the noodles and veggies are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. It makes a FULL meal! Toss in leftover meat or a can of chicken if you want to make it heartier. That’s it. One pot, one jar, dinner.

Tips for Gifting and Traveling

• Keep it dry. Make sure the jars and every ingredient are completely dry so nothing gets soggy or moldy.
• Use it within a few months. Ramen noodles are fried, so the mix tastes best within a few months. Check the dates on your ramen and pasta.
• Pack glass carefully. For hunting or camping, wrap each jar in a towel or a thick sock and pack them tight in a box or cooler.
• Freeze dryer bonus: If you have a freeze dryer, toss in some freeze-dried veggies or freeze-dried cooked hamburger or chicken for an even heartier meal.

Looking for more homemade food you can stash in the pantry? Check out the Food Storage & Prep section, and don’t miss my canned whole cranberries. They make a beautiful gift too.