Homemade Friendship Soup in a Jar Gift Idea

If you’re looking for a homemade gift that’s inexpensive, useful, and a little more personal than another batch of cookies, Friendship Soup in a Jar is such a fun idea.

This colorful soup mix is layered in a mason jar with beans, pasta, rice, and seasonings.

Add a pretty ribbon and a recipe card, and you have a thoughtful gift from the kitchen that’s perfect for Christmas, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, or friends.

And I love the name. Friendship Soup just feels like the kind of gift you want to give to someone you care about.

What You Need

For one quart-size mason jar:

• 1/2 cup dried pinto beans
• 1/2 cup dried kidney beans
• 1/2 cup dried green split peas
• 1/2 cup dried lentils
• 1/2 cup long-grain white rice
• 1/2 cup small pasta, such as macaroni
• 1/4 cup dried onion
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

You’ll also need:

• 1 quart-size mason jar
• Lid and ring
• Ribbon or twine
• Gift tag or recipe card

How to Make Friendship Soup in a Jar

1. Layer the ingredients

Using a canning funnel, carefully layer the beans, split peas, lentils, rice, pasta, and seasonings into the mason jar.

Press each layer down gently as you go so everything fits neatly into the jar.

The different beans, lentils, rice, and pasta make this a particularly pretty mix to give as a gift.

2. Seal and decorate

Wipe the rim of the jar clean and add the lid and ring.

Tie the jar with ribbon or twine and attach a gift tag with the cooking instructions.

You could also add a little wooden spoon or wrap the jar with a festive kitchen towel.

Cooking Instructions

Add these instructions to the gift tag:

To Make the Soup:

Remove the pasta and seasoning packet, if you chose to package those separately.

Rinse the beans and lentils and place them in a large pot.

Cover with several inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the beans are tender.

Drain and return the beans to the pot.

Add:

• 6 cups beef or vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• The rice
• The seasoning mixture

Simmer until the rice and beans are tender.

Add the pasta during the last 10–12 minutes of cooking so it doesn’t become overcooked.

Taste and adjust the seasonings before serving.

Tip: Because dried beans can vary in cooking time depending on their age and size, allow plenty of time for the beans to become tender.

A Sweet Homemade Gift

Friendship Soup is a great gift when you want to give someone something they can actually use and enjoy.

It’s perfect for:

• Christmas gifts
• Teacher gifts
• Neighbor gifts
• Coworker gifts
• Hostess gifts
• Care packages
• Homemade gift baskets
• Gifts for friends

You can make several jars at once and have a whole collection of homemade gifts ready for the holidays.

Add a handwritten note to the tag that says “Friendship Soup — made with love for a friend” and you’ve got a gift that feels especially personal.

More Gifts in a Jar

If you’re collecting ideas for homemade gifts from the kitchen, try these too:

• Seven Bean Soup Mix in a Jar
• Harvest Soup Mix in a Jar
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar
• White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Mix in a Jar
• Cowboy Cookies in a Jar
• Brownie Mix in a Jar
• Apple Cider Mix in a Jar
• Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar

These are perfect for building a collection of easy gifts in a jar that you can make ahead for the holidays.

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