Make your own homemade dry onion soup mix to keep on hand to flavor dips and main dish recipes. With a few pantry staples, you can save money on homemade convenience.
Mix up a batch with sour cream to serve alongside an Easter Veggie Tray or other party trays.
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Dry onion soup mix was a staple in Gramma’s pantry. Adding quick and easy flavor to any number of dips, soups, sauces, and meat dishes, it was seen as a must-have. Run out and it would seem you’d run out of luck.
The great thing about this “wonder ingredient” is that you can make it yourself at home.
For better.
For less.
Yep, true story. Making your own dry onion soup mix is not only quick, but it’s so much more affordable than buying the expensive packets.
Most importantly, it makes it so easy to cook at home!
Keep a batch on hand to stir into sour cream for a great dip, sprinkle on pot roast, or fold into meatballs or meatloaf. It’s the ultimate, one-stop flavor shop.
Sour Cream and Onion Dip is one of my weaknesses. Alongside some kettle chips or maybe some veggies, it’s an simple pleasure.
I’ve developed a couple different recipes for sour cream dips, but I wanted to recreate an all-purpose dry onion soup mix that you could keep on hand, using all shelf-stable ingredients, for all the recipes that you might use the boxed mixes for.
After all, those boxed mixes got me cooking over 30 years ago.
A box makes it easy, right?
Dry onion soup mix is what I used in high school when I was first learning to cook, a go-to seasoning for pot roast, stew, meatloaf, and of course, sour cream dip. I don’t think our family ever used it as a soup, but it was mighty fine mixed into things as a seasoning.
Once I grew up and had my own kids to feed, I realized that the super seasoning was also pretty chock-full of junky ingredients, excessive sugar and salt, and weird stuff I can’t pronounce, even with a graduate degree.
Homemade Onion Soup Mix to Replace the Packets!
Making my own homemade onion soup mix sounded like a better alternative. And it is tasty!
I mix it into dip, stew it with pot roast, and stir it into meatloaf and meatballs. All I can say: Super Yum. The dip was flavorful, the roast well seasoned, and the meatloaf? Pretty awesome.
Try this mix out in your favorite recipe that calls for commercial soup mix and let us know how it works out.
What’s onion soup mix made of?
When you’re making your own homemade onion soup mix you get to choose what’s in it! Unlike those store-bought versions. Here’s what in my homemade version:
- dry onion flakes
- kosher salt
- dried thyme
- paprika
- dry mustard
- garlic powder
- black pepper
Other recipes you might find call for beef bouillon granules. I opted not to, making this mix vegan-friendly.
Making dry onion soup mix yourself.
Making your own soup mix is the simplest thing ever; all you do is measure! Just mix dry seasonings together and voila!
Be sure to store the mix in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Handy Storage Vessels for Mixes:
- half-pint Mason jars with plastic caps
- Pyrex pint-sized glass bowls with plastic lids
- snack size plastic bags
What can you make with onion soup mix?
Dry onion soup mix is a great flavoring for any number of dishes. It’s pretty amazing, actually. Consider using this recipe as a starting point for any of the following:
- soup
- stew
- sour cream dip
- pot roast
- burgers
- roast potatoes
- sloppy joe’s
- swiss steak
- crispy chicken
- stroganoff
- rice pilaf
- oven roasted vegetabels
- hummus
- pulled pork
- shredded beef
- chicken cacciatore
- pot pie
- shepherds’ pie
- chili
- bean salad
- salad dressing
- pasta dishes
How much homemade soup mix do you add for a packet?
You will probably not need a one-to-one substitution for the dry mix. Keep in mind that the mixture is based on onion flakes. Two tablespoons of onion flakes is the equivalent of ½ onion.
Start with the following and adjust to suit your tastes.
Onion dip: 2 tablespoons of the mix to ½ cup sour cream
Pot roast: 4 tablespoons sprinkled over a pot roast plus ¼ cup water
Soup, stew, or chili: 3 to 4 tablespoons
Meatloaf or meatballs: for every pound of meat add 2 tablespoons plus ½ cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, and 2 tablespoons tomato sauce or ketchup
Burgers: for every pound of meat add 2 tablespoons
Is it cheaper to make your own onion soup mix?
You know me, I love to make Good Cheap Eats. And you know that commercially made items are often more expensive than homemade.
Is it cheaper to make your own dry onion soup mix? Here’s how this recipe pencils out:
- onion flakes – $0.29 ($0.98/2.35oz)
- salt – $0.02 (42.99/26 oz)
- pepper – $0.01 ($3.98/6oz)
- dried thyme – $0.01 ($1.98/.6oz)
- paprika – $0.03 ($.98/2.5oz)
- garlic powder – $0.04 ($0.98/3.4 oz)
- dry mustard – $0.20 ($3.97/1.6 oz)
This batch makes about ⅓ cup, enough for 1 to 3 recipes. The cost is $0.60. By comparison, name brand onion soup mix is $3.49/2 oz, enough for two batches.
Even if you used a full batch of the mix to replace a packet, you’re saving by a huge margin. The commercial brand is almost three times the cost of homemade!
How can you save more when making this recipe?
Consider these strategies from the Good Cheap Eats System to help you lower your costs even more:
- Use what you have. While the onion flakes, salt, and pepper are required for the recipe, you can take a little liberality with the other spices, swapping in whatever you’ve got in the house, such as oregano for the thyme, chili powder for the paprika, and onion powder for the garlic powder.
- Make a plan for leftover ingredients. One batch of this mix will probably serve you for at least two recipes. Make sure to use it all so as not to waste it.
- Visit the store with the best prices. The cost of herbs and spices can vary widely from store to store. Compare prices so you know where to stock up. (I usually get my onion flakes and garlic powder at Costco.)
- Check the sales and clearance. When you see great prices, load up on these ingredients so you can have your own onion soup mix whenever you want.
- Buy spices in bulk. I love shopping at Costco to save a few dollars. Instead of paying a few dollars for a small jar of garlic powder or onion flakes, I buy larger container for even less!
If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
Homemade Onion Soup Mix
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dry onion flakes also called dehydrated onion
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Store in an airtight container.
- To use, stir into recipes as you would commercial onion soup mix (about 1 to 2 tablespoons per ½ cup sour cream for dip).
Notes
Nutrition
What’s YOUR favorite use for onion soup mix?
This post was originally published October 21, 2013. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Steve F.
FYI…..”HERB-OX” is the name of a NO SODIUM beef boullion. They also make a chicken one.
Kate
Thanks for posting a recipe that omits beef bouillon! Trying to keep MSG out of the house.
Melissa
I had mentioned beef bouillon granules a year ago – they do make a low sodium version. I use the regular one though and leave out any additional salt.
TSandy
Thanks for another great recipe. I have totally quit buying prepackaged mixes because of the cost and all the preservatives in the mixes. My husband will love this recipe.
Barbara
In South Africa commercial dry soup mixes are sold as “packets” of soup (eg. a 55g brown onion soup packet, a 65g white onion soup). Each packet makes 4 servings of soup by adding 850ml of water. How many servings of soup does the above recipe make (and how much water would I add). Also, can anyone tell me what an “envelope” weighs in grams and how many servings does it make?
Jessica Fisher
I have not tested this as a “soup” but as a mix to be used in other recipes, like dips, casseroles, and roasts.
Karen
I’m in Canada, and we have similar dry soup mixes to the onion recipe here. I haven’t bought the commercial version in years so don’t have weights handy, but am quite sure they all make four servings. I think they all stated to add 2 cups of water, which would be about 500 ml.
Elizabeth
This mix was fantastic! I have a weakness for chips and dip…I ate a whole batch of dip and bag of chips myself. Can’t wait to try this in other recipes calling for the onion soup mix, like slow-cooked French dip sandwiches.
Jessica Fisher
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it.
Maria
This is gluten free! I loved to use onion soup mix for lots of stuff til I learned I was allergic to wheat. Wheat is in the packaged onion soup mixes. I’m so glad I found this and cant wait to try it!
Jessica Fisher
Using it for French Dip sandwiches as we speak. Coating the roast with it and then crockpotting it. 🙂
Cari
Sounds wonderful. Thank you!
Mel
I love chips and onion dip so much! Here in New Zealand we mix the onion soup mix with a can of reduced cream (do you get that over there?) and a squeeze of lemon juice and then chill it for 30 minutes. Divine!
(And then we get a packet of chips, commence dipping and devour the whole lot and by we I mean me because I don’t share well!)
Jessica Fisher
I do not know what reduced cream is. We usually mix with sour cream, similar to creme fraiche. Is it like that?
Mel
No we get sour cream here too. http://www.nestle.co.nz/brands/milksbaking/reducedcream. It is this. Pretty sure the only thing it is EVER used for is making dip, although perhaps it served some other purpose at some point.
Jessica Fisher
Interesting! I’ve never seen anything like that.
Emily
I’m using it in this tomorrow: http://www.recipegirl.com/2011/02/14/slow-cooker-root-beer-pulled-pork/#_a5y_p=1048302
Jessica Fisher
Let us know how it works for you! (Holding my breath. I’ve never made a roast with soda pop.)
Charity L.
I make Dr. Pepper pulled pork in the slow cooker. It is awesome!
Claire
My boys are gonna love this when I make it!!!!!
Heather M
Oh my! Onion dip is my worst weakness ever. I’ve been known to polish off an entire batch of it for lunch. And it is AWFUL for you in the packaged form(although I make it w/light sour cream… but oh, the sodium!). I’ve had to swear it off. I’m really excited to try this blend out! Will eat it with raw veggies though, since I’m eating healthier these days. Thanks for a new inspiration!
Sandi
Similar to the meatloaf, it really enhances homemade hamburger patties. I do not think I’ve used it for anything else other than what you listed. I’ve actually not even used it at all in probably 8 years. I frequently sub greek yogurt for sour cream since it is a similar consistency and much healthier. I’m wondering how this dip would come out with yogurt? The tang might actually blend in pretty nicely. Maybe I need some dip in the future. Oh wait, I don’t have any fresh veggies or chips. Never mind. 🙂
Jessica Fisher
If you like yogurt dips, it should be great. Let us know.
Melissa
Another addition some of you might like is beef bouillon granules – it adds a little depth to the flavor. You could leave out the salt if you choose to add the granules.
Jessica Fisher
Yep, that would be great. I haven’t found a product that I liked in terms of healthy ingredients at a price that made sense. Do you know of one?
jck
I like the jars of low sodium “Better than Bouillon” but they can only be used dissolved in liquid.
Jen
Jess, how much onion flakes? 1/4 cup I’m guessing, right?
Jessica Fisher
Yes, sorry. I’m recoding recipes to a new code and apparently made a mistake. 1/4 cup
Lee
We tried a new seasoning mix that was supposed to
Serve as “onion soup packet” last week and we were so disappointed. As I am looking through your ingredients and they are completely different from the other one I tried, different enough that I think I am willing to try again. :).
Jessica Fisher
Well, I hope this one works better!
Elaine
The original Lipton uses TOASTED onion flakes which are available from myspicesage.com. It does make a difference in taste! I found this out from trying to make this recipe years ago and it was never right until i found the toasted onion flakes. I do not work for or get any money from my spice sage.
Jessica Fisher
Thanks for the tip!
Kirstin
What kind of thyme do you mean? Isn’t there ground thyme and, I guess, dried thyme?
Jessica Fisher
dried thyme leaves
holly
Are onion flakes the same as dehydrated onions? I’m looking forward to trying this!
Jessica Fisher
Yes, I’m gonna guess they go by several different names.
Elizabeth | Ready. Set. Simplify.
Hey! Thanks! I was so happy to see this pop up in my email. I have a veggie soup recipe that we enjoy that calls for a packet of onion soup mix. I tried making it without the packet the last time and it just wasn’t the same. Can’t wait to try this!
Jessi @ Quirky Cookery
I have a weakness for sour cream and onion dip, too! We always just call it French onion chip dip, but it’s the same thing.
The difference is, I toss this under my “it’s so cheap and easy, just buy it instead of making it yourself” list, though, ha. Yes, it might be a tiny bit cheaper to make it myself, but I don’t really see many health benefits (I already only buy brands that don’t use MSG because of a family allergy) and realistically, I’m tossing it into sour cream and dipping chips into it anyway….can’t get much unhealthier than that! I’d end up having to buy new jars of most of the spices to make a decent sized batch, too, and then I just now I’d talk myself into using onion dip even more often because well, I’d already have it on hand, lol. It’s probably best I avoid that.
Bobbie
Thank you! I was just wondering how to make this tonight since my husband’s food allergies make it hard for us to eat packaged products.
Jessica Fisher
Great! I’d love to hear what recipes you use it in. I tested meatloaf, roast, and dip, but I’m sure there are lots of other options.
Lauren Eicher
Turkey burgers! Take 1lb ground turkey and add onion soup mix, a handful of plain bread crumbs, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Form into patties and grill. Delicious and so flavorful!