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!
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
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)
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 a glass 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.
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.
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! Enrollment is currently closed, but you can join my FREE 5-day Crush Inflation Challenge and start saving money on groceries tomorrow!
MORE EASY HOMEMADE SEASONINGS
WATCH HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE DRY ONION SOUP MIX
Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe
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!
- 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
- ¾ cup onion flakes
- ⅓ 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
- Combine all ingredients in a glass jar.
- Use ¼ cup (4 Tbsp) in lieu of one packet of dry onion soup mix.
- 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
ThAnk you was out of the Lipton mix and searched till I found your info. Was very interesting. Looking forward to sharing.
Love your site! I came across this recipe for the Homemade Onion Soup Mix and jumped on it! As with your other commenters I grew up with my mother using Lipton’s mix and well remember when she started using it – her roast, while good, became scrumptious!! Anyway, I have a question that I fear may be a “duh” but its about storage. I live alone and don’t often cook a large amount (except of course for company) and I was wondering how long you recommend storing this mix? I’m feeling like I should store it in the fridge just to be sure and wonder if a 3-6 month time period would be okay? I was wondering if there is a storage issue since this recipe makes just 3 servings (1/4 c each)?
Hi Cynthia! There’s no issue with long term storage in the pantry or spice cabinet because that’s where all of your spices came from anyway! I’ve kept mine in the cabinet easily for 6 months!
Onion soup mix is coming that always went in my mums roast.
I’ve been re-doing my pantry and trying to bring it back to basics and limit my families consume chemicals and preservatives.
I could definatly make this up and store it in the pantry and feel good about using it. Thank you
You’re welcome!
Does it have to be a glass jar, won’t a plastic one be OK
A plastic jar is fine Sue!
I substituted Nutritional Yeast for the beef bullion and added some dried kale and cabbage powder with tasty results
Interesting!! Thanks for sharing that Frederick!
I have two questions, both about substituting store-bought ingredients for your homemade ingredients. I want to make your Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast (2017/05/classic-slow-cooker-pot-roast). 1) I don’t have a problem with buying ready-made dry onion soup mix. though. So, my question is about substituting ready-made mix for your homemade mix. Is there a one-to-one relationship? Do I substitute 4 Tbsp of store-bought dry onion soup mix for your homemade recipe (2017/03/dry-onion-soup-mix-recipe)? Or how many envelopes of store-bought mix would I need to use? 2)Also, how much does your homemade cream of mushroom soup make (2017/03/homemade-cream-mushroom-soup)? Do I substitute a whole 10.75 oz can of condensed cream of mushroom soup for your homemade batch? Thanks very much for your help!!! I’m looking forward to trying this!!!
Great questions! One envelope of store-bought mix is roughly 4 Tbsp, or 1/4 cup. So for the pot roast, one packet will be sufficient. My cream of mushroom soup makes the equivalent of one condensed can of soup. So you’ll substitute one store-bought can for the homemade. You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!
Made this today to use in your pot roast recipe. Super easy, love that there are no “fake” ingredients. Looking forward to to using in other recipes.
So glad you like it Sandy!!
I never realized that my Knorr chicken bullion had MSG. I use it for everything! I remember when my family kept a container of Accent in the cupboard to ‘accent’ meats, not knowing the effects of MSG way back when. I just now found your blog. I would like to make this mix and I was wondering if I could substitute dried minced onions, which is what I have, for the onion flakes. Would it change the texture of the mix too much or should I buy the flakes? Thanks.
Hey Loli! You can definitely substitute – it’s a very forgiving and flexible recipe. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!!
Dried minced onions are exponentially stronger than dried onion flakes. It’s possible to substitute them, but the amount of dried minced would be **far less** than the amount of dried onion flakes.
I just made this up minus the salt for a casserole that I make that calls for Lipton onion soup mix and it’s Great! Thanks for a great sodium free substitute!
You’re very welcome!!
Very interesting read.
I have the cubed bouillon. Can I use this to get rid of. Would I use 1 cube or crush it up and use ⅓ cup.
Crush it up to make 1/3 cup Jan.
I can my beef roast meat and use it like I would a slow cooked roast. Would the soup mix recipe be ok to add to the meat when canning it? About how much would you recommend putting in a quart jar (about 2# of meat)?
I’m really not sure Becky as to whether it would be okay or not. For two pounds of meat, I’d use what the recipe calls for.
Thanks for the quick response! Maybe I’ll just try it in one jar and see what happens. Might use a little less, though, because some spices are enhanced a little in the canning process (or so I’m told). Enjoy your site!
What taste does the paprika offer in this recipe? Or is it just for color?
Honestly Joni Marie? Lipton includes it in their recipe, so I included it in mine. It is a “copycat” recipe after all. 😉
after being here with don’t waste the crumbs for soo long , i have made my own beef, chicken, and pork powder bouillon. also i make my own potato flakes(aka ) instant potatoes, and instant rice, it takes time, but we are eating much healthier.
We have actually cleared up a lot of digestive problems eating clean!! Thank You so much for helping us on our new path to better living.
You’re so welcome Aonya! I’m honored to have played a role in your clean eating efforts!! ♥
Would Celery Salt work in place of the ground celery seed?
If you do Bambi, take away some salt from the recipe. For every 1 tsp of celery salt, assume it’s 1/2 tsp celery and 1/2 salt. Adjust the recipe as needed!
Checked out the list of MSG “also known as” names. Aware of some but never would believe there are so many ways to not actually say MSG. I’m a little late (all our children are grown with children of their own) but I am determined to clean up my kitchen and feed hubby a truly healthy diet. Thank you for all the research, your blog is on the top of my list for learning to eat clean.
Aw, thanks Kathlene! It’s kinda scary how unhealthy ingredients can go by so many different names. 🙁
My mom always had Lipton Onion Soup on hand. I did too until I had children. I was introduced to natural birth and that research led to all sorts of information about toxins including what’s in our food. That was 11 years ago before all the information we have now. Somedays, it can be overwhelming but we just gotta make little tweaks where we can.
I’m reading “Salt, Sugar, Fat” by Micheal Moss. It’s about the food industry and it’s eye opening.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I usually just shake a little of this and little of that into my homemade soups or get organic Simply Organic packets however, your recipe looks great and I will be sharing it with my readers. Plus, trying it myself.
Reading the ingredients of the store bought stuff gives —
Onions, salt, corn starch, onion powder, sugar, soy sauce (fermented soy beans, wheat, salt) , caramel color, maltodextrin, corn syrup, yeast extract, high oleic sunflower oil, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate.
How do you get beef boullion, celery seed, garlic powder, and pepper out of that?
Honestly, after reading the ingredients myself last month, I started using just onion flakes, onion powder, a little salt depending on the brand of chips I”m using, and a splash of soy sauce. In sour cream dip (the only place I use it), it tastes identical.
I did a lot of research Marjorie, and lots of taste testing! The celery seed really does add a depth of flavor that I think is key to the mix. The pepper, and all the other spices, are optional (and yet really make it taste good!!).
I think it’s pretty telling that the original has almost no recognizable ingredients (as food anyway) and Tiffany’s replacement does! I am so excited about this, as I love the onion dip and knew the mix was loaded with nonfood.
I don’t want any MSG though. I think I might experiment with reducing down my good beef broth and adding that the the dry only when I make up a bowl of dip. I can keep the spices ready to go but add the liquid bits at point of use. You are certainly right, it’s the celery seed powder that is the missing key!
Love your website. Just recently found it.
I think that’s a great plan to avoid MSG! Glad you found Crumbs – welcome!!
What type of beef bouillon are you using there? Better than bouillon is a thick paste so that wouldn’t work for this recipe. I’ve been looking for a good copycat recipe for lipton onion soup mix but can’t find bouillon without MSG. And the copycat recipes are definitely not the same without the bouillon.
I agree! You can use better than bullion, but it highly depends on what you’re using the dry onion soup mix for. If you’re making a roast or something else cooked, it’ll mix right in. If it’s a dip, not so much.
I used typical store-bought. NOT the best option, but it’s what I had locally. Going forward though, these brands seem to be a bit better: Orrington Farms Broth Base, Rapunzel, and Organic Better than Bullion.
I’ve checked 4 local stores, Amazon, Vitacost, and a Thrive and NONE of them have powdered bouillion. Do they call it something else?
Paige, it could be called beef bullion or bullion cubes. You just want the powder for this recipe (if you’re storing long-term or for dips), not the paste.
I use Knorr , I get the beef and the chicken. I’ve gotten mine at w
Wal-Mart. I think they have been in the Mexican food section. You may be able to get them from Wildtree, you’ll would have to go on their website. I have their vegetable bouillon.
Knorr is a German food and beverage brand. It has been owned by the British- Dutch company … Products previously sold under the Lipton brand are now being absorbed into the Knorr product line.
So, essentially you are buying the former Lipton Brand.
Knorr is also loaded with MSG unless you specifically find their NO MSG cubes and granules.
Wal Mart has it also Dollar Tree some of your local health food stores have it in the bins
Knorr or Mazola makes it too. It sold around where all the other bouillon cubes. Or try down the isle with all the Spanish products are, thats where it is at my local Store.
Hello. I will definitely try this as the packaged stuff has msg.
Here’s a side note for you. McCormack’s Bullion cubes are without MSG. They are available in Canada not sure about the USA they hate vegetable, chicken and beef bullion cubes. They come in a box of 10.
Thanks for the tip Wendy!
My mother used it for everything….her famous steak wrapped in tinfoil and slow cooked in the oven, every meatloaf and meatball had it in. Wasn’t until I was in my mid 20’s that I stopped using it. Always made me feel ill..you know lower end symtoms of the flu. In my mid 30’s I found out it was the MSG that was making me sick. Now I’m in my late 50’s and I’m happy to have found this. Thanks Tiffany.
Going to try Mum’s meatloaf this week….yummmmm
Mmmm – sounds good Kate! Enjoy that meatloaf!!
I use Better Than Bouillion beef and chicken concentrate as emergency subs for homemade broth, but never knew they had it in powdered form. Will have to look for this!