Onion Soup Mix

Homemade onion soup mix is a five-minute pantry staple made with beef bouillon, dried onion flakes, garlic powder, celery salt, and a handful of everyday spices. One batch makes 18 tablespoons, the equivalent of three store-bought packets, with no weird additives or unpronounceable ingredients. Use it for French onion dip, pot roast, soups, gravies, and casseroles all year long.

Once you make your own onion soup mix, the little store-bought packets feel like a waste of money. This blend comes together in five minutes and goes into everything – French onion dip, Mississippi pot roast dip, Salisbury steak casserole, and anywhere you would normally reach for your steak seasoning to add a little extra flavor.

It is the kind of pantry shortcut that quietly makes a lot of your other recipes better.

The ingredients are things you almost certainly already have. No preservatives, no MSG, no ingredients you have to Google. Just a simple, savory blend that tastes way better than the packet version and costs a fraction of the price. Basically, your new kitchen bestie!

Make a big batch, store it in a mason jar, and you will not have to think about it again for months. Just scoop and go!

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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.

Ingredient Notes

Beef bouillon is the savory, flavor backbone of the blend. Use powder, granules, or crush bouillon cubes into a fine powder. Stick with beef – chicken bouillon does not deliver the same depth of flavor. If you want to control the sodium level, reach for a low-sodium or sodium-free version.

Dried onion flakes give the mix its texture and that fresh, homemade quality. Use the larger dehydrated flakes rather than granulated onion if you can find them. They add a little bite and make it feel like something you actually made rather than something that came out of a factory.

Onion powder works alongside the flakes to add more onion flavor. Do not skip it even though you already have the flakes – they do different jobs.

Garlic powder adds a more savory flavor. Granulated garlic works as a great substitute.

Celery salt adds a subtle earthiness that rounds everything out. Celery seed works as a substitute if needed.

Parsley adds a little color and a mild herby note that keeps the blend from tasting flat.

Black pepper adds just enough heat to balance the saltiness of the bouillon.

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How To Make Homemade Onion Soup Mix

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to Use Homemade Onion Soup Mix

This recipe makes 18 tablespoons total, which is the equivalent of three store-bought packets. When substituting in a recipe that calls for one packet, use 6 tablespoons or a third of a cup.

For French onion dip: Stir 3 tablespoons into 16 ounces of sour cream. The homemade version is more potent than the store-bought packets so start with less, taste, and add more if you want a stronger flavor.

For soup: Mix 6 tablespoons into 4 cups of hot water or beef stock. Add a splash of soy sauce and a splash of Worcestershire for extra depth.

For gravy or au jus: Dissolve 3 tablespoons in one can of warm beef broth. Add a teaspoon of red wine for a richer gravy.

For slow cooker and casserole recipes: Sprinkle directly into crockpot beef roast, meatloaf, roasted potatoes, pork chops, or chicken breasts. It adds a extra depth that makes everything taste like it has been cooking all day.

Storage

Store your homemade onion soup mix in an airtight glass container in a cool, dry place. It will keep for up to six months.

A mason jar works perfectly and also makes a great hostess gift. Just portion it into small jars, add a tag with the packet conversion note and a ribbon, and you have an easy, thoughtful edible gift that anyone who cooks will actually use.

Variations

Make it gluten free by checking your beef bouillon label carefully. Some brands add anti-caking agents that contain wheat. Look for a certified gluten-free bouillon and the rest of the blend is naturally gluten free.

Make it lower sodium by using low-sodium or sodium-free beef bouillon granules. You control the salt level, which is one of the biggest advantages of making your own.

Add a little heat with a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes. Great for dips and roasted potatoes.

Make it sugar free by checking your bouillon label. Some store-bought versions of onion soup mix contain maltodextrin, corn syrup, and yeast extract. The homemade version has none of that by default.

Recipes Using Homemade Onion Soup Mix

Mississippi Pot Roast Dip – one of the most popular uses for this blend. The onion soup mix is what gives the dip that slow roasted flavor. This is the recipe that will make you keep a jar of this mix stocked at all times.

Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie – a hearty, comforting slow cooker dinner that uses the mix to build the rich, savory base. Set it and forget it.

Salisbury Steak Casserole – the onion soup mix does double duty here, seasoning both the meat and the gravy. One of the best weeknight dinners in your rotation.

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie – same cozy flavors as the crockpot version but on the table in a fraction of the time. The mix is the shortcut that makes it weeknight-friendly.

French Onion Dip – stir three tablespoons into sour cream for the easiest dip you will ever make. Bring it to every party and watch it disappear.

Crockpot Garlic Steak Bites – the mix works as a flavor booster or substitute for the gravy mix in this recipe. A small addition that makes a big difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Use dried onion flakes rather than granulated onion for the best texture – they make the mix feel homemade rather than powdery.
• Whisk thoroughly before each use because the smaller spices settle to the bottom over time.
• Add a splash of soy sauce and Worcestershire when using it in soups and gravies for extra depth.
• A teaspoon of wine stirred into gravies made with this mix takes them up a notch.
• Store in a glass jar rather than plastic – the flavor stays fresher longer and it looks great on the counter or in a gift basket.

This homemade onion soup mix is going to save you so much time and money while adding tons of flavor to your recipes!

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