Homemade Harvest Soup Mix in a Mason Jar

If you love giving homemade gifts, this Harvest Soup Mix in a Jar is a cozy one to add to your list.

It’s inexpensive to put together, looks beautiful layered in a mason jar, and gives the recipient everything they need to make a hearty pot of soup.

I especially love this one for fall and Christmas because the earthy colors of the beans, lentils, and grains look so pretty in a jar.

Add a little ribbon and a handwritten recipe card, and you have a thoughtful homemade gift that doesn’t take hours to make.

What You Need

For each quart-size mason jar:

• 1/2 cup dried split peas
• 1/2 cup dried lentils
• 1/2 cup pearl barley
• 1/2 cup dried kidney beans
• 1/2 cup dried pinto beans
• 1/2 cup dried black beans
• 1/2 cup dried great northern beans
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

You’ll also need:

• Quart-size mason jar with lid
• Twine or ribbon
• Small gift tag or recipe card

How to Make Harvest Soup Mix

1. Layer the dry ingredients

Make sure all of your beans, lentils, and barley are clean and completely dry.

Using a canning funnel makes filling the jar much easier. Layer the ingredients one at a time, alternating the colors to create pretty layers.

Gently tap the jar on a folded towel between layers to settle everything.

2. Add the seasonings

Combine the dried onion, garlic powder, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Place the seasoning mixture in a small bag and tuck it into the top of the jar.

3. Decorate the jar

Put the lid on the jar and add some twine, ribbon, or a piece of fall-colored fabric.

For a Christmas gift, red and green ribbon would be pretty. For a fall gift, try burlap or orange and brown ribbon.

Don’t forget to attach the cooking instructions!

Cooking Instructions

Remove the seasoning packet from the jar.

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

Cover with water and soak according to the directions for the beans you’re using. Drain and rinse.

Return everything to the pot and add fresh water.

Add the seasoning packet and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender.

For a heartier soup, add diced tomatoes, carrots, celery, potatoes, sausage, ham, or leftover cooked meat.

Cooking time will vary depending on the beans used, so cook until all of the beans are tender.

This harvest soup mix in a jar would make a lovely gift for so many people.

Give one to:

• Neighbors
• Teachers
• Friends
• Coworkers
• Hostesses
• New homeowners
• Family members
• Someone who could use a little encouragement

You could even make a simple homemade gift basket with the soup mix, a loaf of homemade bread, a wooden spoon, and a pretty kitchen towel.

It’s the kind of gift that feels personal without being complicated or expensive.

If you’re making these for Christmas gifts, line up several mason jars and make them assembly-line style.

Layer all of the beans and grains first, then prepare all of the seasoning packets at once. Add the lids, ribbon, and recipe cards, and you’ll have several homemade gifts ready to go.

That’s one of my favorite things about simple homemade living—a little time spent making something yourself can turn into several thoughtful gifts.

And because the ingredients are shelf-stable, you can make these well ahead of the holidays and have them ready whenever you need a homemade gift.

More Homemade Mixes in a Jar

If you enjoy making homemade gifts, I have several other mason jar mixes you might want to try:

• Seven Bean Soup Mix in a Jar – A colorful layered soup mix that makes a hearty winter meal.
• Mason Jar Hot Chocolate Mix – A cozy homemade gift that’s perfect for Christmas, teachers, neighbors, and friends.

Follow my simple homemade living board on Pinterest.