Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix
Do you love the taste of Lipton Onion Soup Mix but don't want to spend money on the pre-made packets? Or maybe you're all out and would like to make some right now. Either way, this blog post is for you! In it, we will show you how to make your own Lipton Onion Soup Mix using simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry. Let's get started!
Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix-
I try to keep a dry onion soup mix (Lipton Onion Soup Mix or another off brand) in the pantry for recipes. However, it's one of those things that's not on my grocery store list. I end up running out of it and of course– I end up about to start a recipe for chops, chicken or a casserole — and don't have that ingredient! With this easy recipe for making your own dry onion soup mix, you don't have to rely on having those store bought soup mix packets. We aren't saying to totally stop buying them, since they are convenient and low cost. But, this simple recipe is a great backup, or an option for large families or those that try to make as many DIY recipes as possible.

In general, over the years I've just gravitated more toward mixing my own seasoning blends together in glass jars. I just keep them on hand for when I need them. This recipe makes about 1 pint jar of soup mix, so you can easily double it if needed. If you have a larger family, I would use a quart glass jar and double or triple this recipe. This homemade substitute for a packet of Lipton Recipe Secrets does eliminate one thing off that grocery list, so it's a great item to keep available. It does not need to be refrigerated, since each of these ingredients is dried on its own.
What's In the Copycat Lipton Onion Soup Mix?
This seasoning blend comes together with a few basics you probably already have in your own kitchen:
- Dried onion flakes – Dried onion is one of the basic ingredients in this soup mix. Do not substitute onion powder.
- Beef Bouillon Powder – This is the ingredient that gives the soup mix its signature brown or caramel color. It's also one of the necessary ones to making your own version of the packets of Lipton onion soup mix, so don't skip.
- Onion Powder – I will say you do need the onion powder in addition to the flakes. The store bought version has a lot of flavor, and you need the onion flavor in the fine powder for any DIY version.
- Parsley – This is one of the more optional ingredients. I find parsley gives a great layer of flavor. We often see it in any packet of soup mix, even ranch or Italian. Don't skip if you have it available!
- Paprika – While this spice is often used for garnish, it does have a nice zing that will add flavor to all of your own spice blends. We see it in many BBQ rubs and meat flavorings. It adds tons of flavor to your soup mix!
- Black Pepper – Again, meats need a little spice to enhance their flavoring. This soup mix uses black pepper which adds spice and flavor. Since black pepper is a staple spice for all meats, we do want to include it here. If you love a very spice mix and want to bump up the heat of this soup mix, you can also add a small amount of white pepper.

If you don’t have Celery Seed, you can find it at most grocery stores, or on Amazon. I would buy a small bottle as it’s not in many recipes. You can also substitute garlic flakes for onion flakes if you don't have any and I like to use a grinder to grind up this mix fine. You can also add a 1/4 tsp of garlic powder if you'd like for extra flavor.
How Much Homemade Mix Equals 1 Store Bought Package?
About 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons of one store bought packet of Lipton onion soup mix.
How long Does It last?
Dry soup mix can last indefinitely if stored properly. The key is to keep it in a dry place and in an airtight container. That said, the USDA recommends that dry soup mixes be used within 18 months of purchase for the best quality. Dry soup mix will still be safe to eat after that time, but it may have lost some of its depth of flavor and nutrition. Once opened, dry soup mix should be used within three to four months for best quality. Dry soup mix can be used past this point, but it may not taste as good. It can also be frozen for long-term storage; just be sure to thaw it completely before using.

Adding Salt
You may notice my recipe doesn’t have added salt!
It was salty enough for us with just the beef bullion. If you need to adjust it after making it once, feel free, but I wouldn’t just add salt to this one. If you're on a low sodium diet for health reasons, you can actually find sodium free bullion. Herb Ox uses a potassium substitute. However, use this with your healthcare provider or nutritionists advice if you are very strict about your salts, since some people find they cannot use salt substitutes for one reason or another.
Another reason we don't add additional salt is that we want the onion flavors to show, and salt will actually cover that up! Remember you can also add a small amount of salt later if you feel like you need it for your seasoning blend or to help tenderize a tougher meat like beef or pork chops. .
Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix Recipe as a Gift:
If you end up making this, it's also a fun idea to mix up a second batch for someone else! Spice blends make wonderful gifts for hostesses, teachers, and closer to the holidays just another small gift to toss in a gift basket or bag! I like to use a pretty Mason jar, and cover it with a bright swatch of fabric over the lid. You can secure a note with a recipe around the top. We made dry seasonings with recipes attached for hostess gifts and prizes at a baby shower, and they were a huge hit. It was definitely more fun to get a recipe mix than the typical party gift.
Just add spice mix to a decorative mason jar and add a fun gift label!
How can I use my Homemade Lipton Onion soup Mix:
Other than using this mix in Lipton onion soup, you can use it as a savory seasoning for a number of dishes. This includes using it as a dry rub for grilling meats or coating chicken before baking. You can also add it to flour when breading meats or vegetables to give them a bit of an extra flavor boost. In addition, the mix can be used to add flavor to rice dishes or soups. Simply sauté some of the mix in butter and then add it to the uncooked rice. For an extra touch, you can garnish the dish with some chopped fresh parsley. No matter how you use it, this Homemade Lipton Onion Soup Mix is sure to add flavor to your favorite recipes.
- Add it to ground beef when making burgers or meatloaf for extra flavor.
- Stir it into mashed potatoes for a twist on the classic dish.
- Use it as a seasoning for roast chicken or pork.
- Make a quick and easy dip by stirring it into sour cream ( make that famous Lipton onion dip)
- Add it to vegetable soup or chili for extra flavor.
Homemade Lipton onion soup mix is a great way to save money and decide on the ingredients in your food. What do you like to make with it? Share your favorite recipe or dish in the comments below, and we’ll be sure to try it out! This soup mix is perfect for great-tasting recipes of all kinds. Thanks for reading!
Print Your Recipe Here:
Dry Onion Soup Mix

Easy DIY dry mix to use instead of the store-bought packets!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried onion flakes
- 4 tablespoons beef bouillon
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- '1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon ground celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all spices together
- If some are clumped together, you can put all in a food processor and pulse until well blended
- Store in an air-tight container
- Label
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 40Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 1mgSodium 1563mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 2g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix. Please check all nutrition facts yourself.
More from My Royal Kitchen

Never catch yourself without taco seasoning. Make our Homemade Taco Seasoning from items in your pantry.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix is a staple in the kitchen. See my easy recipe here!
How much of your homemade Onion Soup Mix equals the store packages?
About 2 1/2-3 tabelspoons!