When you need a fast warm lunch with almost no fuss, this Veggie Rice Soup in a Mug gets the job done. You shake a few pantry staples into a bag, stash it in the cupboard, and turn it into a simple single-serving soup with boiling water in about 5 minutes.
It also makes a smart little gift mix for a college student, office desk drawer, or anyone who needs an easy shelf-stable meal that doesn’t involve a drive-thru and a little regret.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable soup mix
- 3 tablespoons instant rice
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
This packet makes 1 mug of soup. Once you add boiling water, let it stand covered so the rice can soften properly. Instant rice does the heavy lifting here, which is exactly what you want from a mug meal.
If you like these pantry-style single servings, you’ll probably also enjoy Veggie Rice Soup mix in a Mug and Potato Soup Mix in a Mug.
How to Make Veggie Rice Soup in a Mug
- Measure the vegetable soup mix, instant rice, chicken bouillon granules, and onion powder into a small zip-top bag.
- Shake the bag well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Seal and store the mix until needed.
- To prepare, dump 1 packet of soup mix into a mug.
- Fill the mug with boiling water.
- Cover and let stand 3 to 5 minutes, then stir and enjoy.
Covering the mug matters more than people think. It traps the heat long enough to soften the rice and dried vegetables instead of leaving you with crunchy soup, which is nobody’s idea of lunch.
Helpful Tips
- Use a sturdy mug. Choose one that holds at least 12 ounces so you have room for the dry mix and boiling water without sloshing soup across the counter.
- Crush larger dried vegetables if needed. A quick pinch helps them soften faster in a short steeping time.
- Stir after resting. That redistributes the bouillon and breaks up any dry spots hiding near the bottom.
- Let it sit the full 5 minutes if your vegetables are chunky. A little patience beats crunchy carrots.
For the safest leftovers, refrigerate any prepared soup promptly in a covered container and use it within 3 to 4 days. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service leftover guidance follows that same 3 to 4 day window, which is a handy rule for mug soups too.
Easy Variations
- Make it vegetarian. Swap the chicken bouillon for vegetable bouillon.
- Add more body. Stir in a spoonful of instant mashed potato flakes after steeping for a slightly thicker soup.
- Change the flavor. Add a pinch of dried parsley, black pepper, or a tiny pinch of garlic powder to the dry mix.
- Turn it into a gift. Tuck the packet into a mug for a simple dorm-friendly or office-friendly present.
If you like mix recipes with a little more depth, Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup Mix is another good pantry option.
Storage
Dry mix: Store the sealed packet in an airtight bag or jar in a cool, dry cupboard. A conservative shelf-life estimate is up to 12 months for best quality if the ingredients are fresh and kept dry.
Prepared soup: If you make the soup and have some left, cool it promptly, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 3 to 4 days. Do not leave prepared soup at room temperature for extended periods.
Because this is a dry mix, moisture is the real troublemaker. If condensation, clumping, or a stale smell shows up, toss it and make a fresh packet.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair it with saltines or buttered toast for a light lunch.
- Serve it beside a sandwich when you want something quick but a little more filling.
- Pack the dry mix in a mug gift basket with crackers and a spoon.
- Make two packets at once if you’re serving a hungry teenager. One mug disappears fast.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Veggie Rice Soup in a Mug
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vegetable soup mix |
$4.98 |
1 1/2 T. |
$0.08 |
|
Instant rice |
$3.42 |
3 T. |
$0.05 |
|
Chicken bouillon granules |
$3.48 |
1 t. |
$0.05 |
|
Onion powder |
$1.24 |
1/4 t. |
$0.01 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$0.19 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.19 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
- Vegetable Soup Mix, 4 oz
- Instant White Rice, 28 oz
- Chicken Bouillon Granules, 4 oz
- Onion Powder, 3.25 oz
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Veggie Rice Soup in a Mug
Not if you want the same 3 to 5 minute mug method. Regular rice needs a much longer cook time and more steady heat, so it will stay hard in a quick-steeped cup of soup. If instant rice is what you have, stick with that here and save standard rice for stovetop soup.
Add enough boiling water to fully cover the mix and make a mug of soup, usually about 1 to 1 1/4 cups in a 12-ounce mug. Start a little shy of the rim so you can stir without wearing lunch on your shirt.
Absolutely. Just multiply each ingredient by the number of packets you want, then portion the finished mix into separate bags so each one stays grab-and-go easy. Making 4 packets means 6 tablespoons vegetable soup mix, 12 tablespoons instant rice, 4 teaspoons bouillon, and 1 teaspoon onion powder.
The pieces are probably a bit large or the water cooled too fast. Cover the mug tightly and let it stand the full 5 minutes, then give it another minute or two if needed. A quick crush of larger dried vegetables before mixing helps them rehydrate faster.
You can, and it’s an easy swap. Replace the chicken bouillon granules with the same amount of vegetable bouillon so you keep the savory flavor without changing the rest of the method.
A small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works well, especially if you’re giving it as a gift. Keep the container airtight and dry so the rice and soup mix don’t pull in moisture from the air and start clumping.
Yes, but keep it modest so you don’t bury the simple soup flavor. A pinch of dried parsley, black pepper, or garlic powder works well, while salty add-ins should stay small because the bouillon already brings plenty of seasoning.
Store it airtight in a cool, dry cupboard and keep it far away from steam. That means not above the stove and not next to the kettle. Clumps usually mean moisture got in first, and once that happens the quality drops fast.
It’s best as a light meal or hearty snack. Pair it with toast, crackers, or half a sandwich if you want something more filling, because one packet makes a single mug serving and not a stockpot’s worth of dinner.
You can. Make the soup, cool it promptly, refrigerate it in a covered container, and reheat until it’s hot throughout. The texture is best fresh, though, since instant rice keeps softening as it sits.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Veggie Rice Soup in a Mug
Veggie Rice Soup in a Mug
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable soup mix
- 3 tablespoons instant rice
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure the vegetable soup mix, instant rice, chicken bouillon granules, and onion powder into a small zip-top bag.
- Shake well to combine.
- Seal and store up to 12 months in a cool, dry place.
- To prepare, dump 1 packet into a mug.
- Fill with boiling water.
- Cover and let stand 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time is an estimate based on measuring and packing one soup packet.
Dry-mix shelf life is an estimate for best quality when stored airtight in a cool, dry cupboard.
Prepared soup should be refrigerated promptly and used within 3 to 4 days.
