This bean soup mix in a jar is a handy, shelf-stable meal to keep in your pantry, take to the cottage, or gift to a friend who appreciates an easy-to-prepare dinner.
This mix is sometimes called “Friendship Soup” — perhaps because it’s often shared with good company. It’s packed with beans, which are high in fiber and plant-based protein. Yes, beans can cause some digestive noise, but their health benefits make them worth it.
Benefits of Bean Soup Mix
- Easy to assemble
- Attractive layered appearance in a jar
- Budget-friendly
- Gluten-free if you choose a gluten-free bouillon
- Vegan if you choose a plant-based bouillon
- High in plant protein and fiber
- Simple to prepare, though cooking time is long for dried beans
Note: This soup requires time to properly cook dried beans. If you want a faster soup mix, consider split pea, chicken noodle, or quinoa-lentil mixes instead. This mix is great to keep on hand as a pantry meal or to give as a thoughtful, ready-to-make gift.
What Kinds of Beans to Use
The recipe below uses seven different beans and peas, chosen primarily for color and texture. I used about 1/4 cup of each, leaving roughly 1/4 cup for the spice mix on top. Common options include pinto, small red, pink, red kidney, Great Northern, blackeye peas, navy, black beans, whole green peas, split peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Use what’s available — the final flavor won’t be dramatically different if you repeat types.
Pro tip: Dried beans are colorful in the jar but often darken during cooking. Enjoy the layered look while it lasts, and expect a more uniform, hearty soup color once cooked.
Where to Find Ingredients
Visit your local bulk food store to explore pulses: dried beans, peas, and lentils. Pick a selection that appeals to you for color and texture.
Container Options
Jars
Use recycled jars or mason jars. A pint (500 ml / 2-cup) jar works well for this mix. Old salsa or pickle jars are suitable; a tight-sealing lid is the main requirement.
Seasoning Packet
Place the spice mix in a small zipper bag, or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, parchment, or wax paper to keep it separate from the dried beans until cooking.
Shipping or Mailing
If you plan to ship mixes, avoid glass. Use sturdy plastic bags or food-grade storage bags, pack carefully so layering stays in place, and seal tightly with a twist tie.
Bouillon Options
For broth, you can use homemade stock, powdered bouillon, cubes, paste, or canned/tetra pack broth. Choose the option you prefer. If you want the jar mix to be completely self-contained, include bouillon powder in the spice packet and note the water-to-bouillon ratio on the label.
Shelf Life
Stored airtight in a cool, dry place, dried soup mixes keep for years. For best flavor and cooking performance, use them within 12 months. Older dried pulses can become drier and require longer cooking time, although they remain safe to eat.
Do You Need to Soak the Beans?
A quick soak is recommended: rinse the beans, boil them for 10 minutes, then let them sit for 1 hour before draining and continuing to cook. This helps reduce cooking time and improves digestibility. Some sources suggest skipping soaking, but if you include red kidney beans, be sure to boil them vigorously for at least 10 minutes to neutralize lectins.
Always rinse the dried beans before cooking to remove dust or debris.
Kidney Bean Safety
Raw kidney beans contain high levels of the lectin phytohaemagglutinin, which can cause food poisoning if beans are undercooked. Boil kidney beans for at least 10 minutes to destroy this toxin. If you’re uneasy, omit kidney beans or substitute red lentils instead.
Printable Label
If you want to label your jar, prepare a printed label and include cooking directions so the recipient knows how to finish the soup.
Recipe for Bean Soup Mix in a Jar
Bean Soup Mix in a Jar
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup each: red lentils, white-eyed peas, black beans, green lentils, red beans, pinto beans, green split peas
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley
- 1 Tbsp dried onion flakes
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp beef or vegetable bouillon (or powdered bouillon if you want to include it)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a pint (500 ml) jar, layer the beans and peas in the order listed or as you prefer.
- In a small bowl, mix the dried herbs, garlic powder and bouillon. Place this spice mix into a small plastic bag or wrap tightly so it stays separate from the dry beans.
- Place the spice packet on top of the layered beans and peas, then seal the jar. Add a label with cooking directions.
- Cooking instructions (for one jar):
- Also needed: 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes.
- Remove the spice pack from the jar.
- Rinse the beans and peas thoroughly in a sieve, then drain.
- Place the bean mix in a pot with 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Boil vigorously for 10 minutes (this step helps remove toxins, especially important if kidney beans are included).
- Remove from heat and let the beans stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse again.
- Return the beans to the pot. Add 7 cups water, the can of diced tomatoes, the spice mix, and the bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until beans are tender.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, remove the bay leaf, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Makes about 9 cups.
Notes
Yield: fills one pint (500 ml) jar. Makes approximately 9 cups of soup.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
More Soup Mixes and Gift Ideas
Grab a Free Printable Guide
Download a printable guide to making beautiful, shelf-stable gifts from your kitchen. The guide includes tips and ideas for cookies in a jar, soup in a jar, flavored infusions, preserves, and bonus printable gift tags.
- Cookies in a Jar
- Soup in a Jar
- Flavored infusions and preserves
Will you make this mix for yourself or someone else? I’d love to hear how it turns out. If you share a photo on social media, tag the creator so they can see and enjoy your results.