If you’ve ever wished for a homemade onion soup mix to elevate your crockpot game, here’s your go-to recipe. No more store-bought packets hidden with preservatives—the comfort of a homemade dry onion soup mix recipe lies here. This blend effortlessly seasons everything from shredded beef and pulled chicken to roasted potatoes and hearty veggie stews. Let’s make your next cozy meal shine—with all-natural dried onion soup mix flavors, no preservatives, no surprises.
Slow-Cooker Homemade Onion Soup Mix
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Seasoning, Side Dish
Cuisine American, French
Servings 1 cup; enough to season 8 crockpot-style meals (about 4–6 servings each)
Mixing bowl To blend all dry spices.
Whisk or Fork Ensures even mixing and breaks up clumps.
Airtight jar or container Keeps your dry soup mix fresh and shelf-stable.
Measuring spoons & cups Precision matters in homemade spices.
Fine mesh sieve (optional) Helps refine texture, especially if your dried onion is too coarsely minced.
- Dried minced onion: ½ cup - The sweet-savory base
- Onion powder: ¼ cup - Deepens onion flavor
- Beef bouillon granules or vegetarian substitute: 2 tbsp - Rich umami boost
- Garlic powder: 1 tbsp - Adds aromatic depth
- Celery seed ground: 1 tsp - Subtle vegetal edge
- Salt: 1 tsp - Balances and enhances flavors
- Black pepper: ½ tsp - Mild heat
- Paprika smoked or sweet: 1 tsp - Color + warmth
- Dried parsley crushed: 1 tbsp - Fresh herb touch
- Sugar optional: 1 tsp - Touch of caramel sweetness
Combine the base
In a medium mixing bowl, empty half the dried minced onion and all the onion powder. This gives depth and onion-forward flavor.
Add the flavor boosters
Sprinkle in the beef bouillon granules (or your vegetarian alternative), garlic powder, and ground celery seed. Stir well to start building that savory, French onion soup mix recipe vibe.
Balance with aromatics
Add salt, black pepper, and paprika. Whisk everything together, noting the bright colors of paprika and green flecks of parsley already appearing.
Stir in herbs and sweetness
Add crushed dried parsley and sprinkle the optional sugar if you enjoy that caramel layer reminiscent of caramelized onion soups. Stir again until evenly distributed.
Refine texture (optional)
If your minced onion has large chunks, use a fine-mesh sieve to sift out oversized bits so the soup mix dissolves evenly in a crockpot or water.
Store and label
Transfer your mixture to an airtight container or resealable bag. Label with contents and date. This mixture stays fresh for up to 6 months in a cool, dry pantry.
Use in crockpot recipes
Generally, use ¼ cup of your dry soup mix per 1–1.5 lbs of meat or veggies. Sprinkle over the top in the crockpot, add about ½–1 cup of broth or water, then cook per your recipe (typically 6–8 hours on low).
Pairings
This blend of dried onion soup mix recipes is incredibly versatile:
- Pulled chicken or beef – Sprinkle the mix on 3–4 lbs of meat, add broth and some Worcestershire sauce, cook low and slow, and enjoy sandwiches or rice bowls that pack a savory punch.
- Potatoes or root vegetables – Toss chopped potatoes, carrots, and onions with olive oil and 2–3 tbsp of dry soup mix before roasting or slow-roasting. That onion soup mix potatoes combo is pure comfort.
- Casseroles & bakes – Stir a few tablespoons into green bean casserole or chicken-and-rice bake to replace canned-onion-soup mix with a homemade alternative.
- Soups & stews – Use your mix as a base seasoning in vegetable soup, mushroom barley stew, or even chili. It deepens flavor without added sodium from canned goods.
- Vegetarian dishes – Omit the bouillon or substitute with yeast flakes/vegetarian bouillon for full-flavor dry soup mix. Works great on mushrooms, lentils, tofu roasts, or stuffed peppers.
- Rice pilaf or grain bowls – Stir 1 tbsp of mix into cooking grains (rice, quinoa, farro) for savory side dishes that accompany roasted meats or roasted vegetables vividly.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh onion instead of dried onion?
Yes – you’ll need about 1 cup finely chopped fresh onion for every ¼ cup dried. Reduce added salt if you go that route, since fresh onions release moisture and flavor during slow cooking.
2. What type of meat works best?
Boneless cuts are easiest for slow cooking—think chicken thighs, pork shoulder, or chuck roast. Boneless breast chicken works too but may become dry if overcooked. Thighs maintain tenderness better.
3. I’m vegetarian. How can I make this fully plant-based?
Use vegetable bouillon powder or yeast extract instead of beef bouillon. All other ingredients are plant-friendly.
4. How do I adjust salt to taste?
Taste as you go. If you’re sensitive to sodium, reduce the salt by half. You can always salt the final dish after it’s cooked.
5. Can I make this into a DIY onion soup mix packet gift?
Absolutely! Fill small jars or bags with ¼-cup portions, tie with a ribbon, and include a recipe card. Great holiday hostess gift or pantry staple for friends.
