Need a fast pantry soup that actually tastes like supper instead of hot beige water? This Dehydrated Soup Mix keeps the prep simple, stores well in an airtight container, and turns into a hearty bowl with little more than boiling water.
Whole wheat couscous gives the mix body, bean flakes add protein and creaminess, and dehydrated vegetable flakes bring the color and flavor. Nutritional yeast rounds everything out with a savory finish, while oregano, onion, herb pepper, and broth powder keep the pot from tasting flat. If you like practical pantry meals, pair this idea with Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar or keep another meatless option on hand with Mexican Bean Soup Mix.
Stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, dry spot, this dry mix should keep good quality for about 6 months as an estimate, since dried foods hold best when protected from heat, moisture, and light according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation dried food storage guidance. Once prepared with water, treat it like any cooked leftover soup and refrigerate it within 2 hours. This mix is also flexible enough to use as a quick lunch, a light supper, or a starter alongside sandwiches, biscuits, or a simple salad.
Dehydrated Soup Mix Recipe
You’ll Need:
- 2 cups whole wheat couscous
- 1 cup dehydrated bean flakes, such as pinto or black bean
- 1 cup dehydrated soup flakes, such as cabbage, tomato, carrot, or mixed vegetables
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast, not brewer’s yeast
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth powder
- 2 teaspoons herb pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dehydrated onion flakes
- 1 tablespoon salt
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and transfer the mixture to a sealed airtight container. Shake or stir before each use so the finer seasonings do not settle to the bottom and leave the last batch tasting like a salt lick. Nobody needs that surprise.
Expert Tip: Use a wide-mouth jar or storage container with enough headspace to shake the mix before measuring. That quick toss redistributes the broth powder, herbs, and bean flakes so each cup cooks up with better flavor and a more even texture.
To Use:
For each batch, combine about 1 cup mix with 4 cups boiling water, adjusting the water slightly if you prefer a thicker or thinner soup. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then cover and let it stand for at least 5 minutes before serving so the couscous and vegetables fully soften.
One prepared batch makes about 5 cups soup, or roughly 2 large 2 1/2-cup servings. The full dry mix yields about 5 batches, for an estimated 10 large servings total.
Store the dry mix in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dry cupboard for up to 6 months for best quality, estimated. After preparing the soup, cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate in a covered container for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze portions up to 3 months.
Notes: If you want a heartier bowl, stir in extra dehydrated vegetables or a spoonful of cooked beans when serving. For a smoother texture, let the soup stand the full 5 minutes before deciding whether it needs more water.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Dehydrated Soup Mix
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Whole wheat couscous |
$2.98 |
2 C. |
$3.68 |
|
Dehydrated bean flakes |
$4.98 |
1 C. |
$0.88 |
|
Dehydrated soup flakes |
$4.98 |
1 C. |
$0.88 |
|
Nutritional yeast |
$5.24 |
1/2 C. |
$3.33 |
|
Vegetable broth powder |
$1.44 |
1/4 C. |
$0.09 |
|
Herb pepper |
$2.48 |
2 t. |
$0.13 |
|
Dried oregano |
$1.24 |
2 t. |
$0.10 |
|
Dehydrated onion flakes |
$2.44 |
2 t. ≈ 1 count ≈ 0.55 cup(s) |
$0.05 |
|
Salt |
$0.62 |
1 T. |
$0.02 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$9.16 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.92 |
📅 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Dehydrated Soup Mix
You can, and it will cook just fine. Whole wheat couscous adds a little more nutty flavor and chew, but regular couscous keeps the same basic 1 cup mix to 4 cups water method, so you do not need to rework the whole recipe just to use what is in the pantry.
Bean flakes thicken the broth and add body fast, which is exactly why this soup comes together in minutes instead of simmering half the afternoon. They also add protein and help turn what could be a thin vegetable broth into something that eats more like a real meal.
You can, but the flavor will be less savory and a bit flatter. Nutritional yeast gives the mix a deeper, almost cheesy umami note, so if you leave it out, consider adding a little extra broth powder or serving the cooked soup with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if dairy is not an issue for you.
Shake the container before measuring out each batch. The light ingredients, especially broth powder, herbs, and nutritional yeast, naturally settle between the couscous and vegetable flakes, so a quick stir or shake keeps the seasoning balanced instead of dumping most of it into the final bowl.
Give it the full covered rest after simmering. Couscous, bean flakes, and dried vegetables all need a few minutes to absorb water, so a soup that looks loose at minute three often thickens nicely after the 5 minute stand time.
Absolutely. The easiest way is to double or triple every ingredient by the same amount and mix in a very large bowl before jarring it up. When you package it, label the jar with the cooking ratio of 1 cup mix to 4 cups water so nobody has to play guessing games at dinner.
Try cooked chicken, extra beans, frozen mixed vegetables, or a handful of spinach stirred in at the end. Since the base soup cooks quickly, it works well as a starter mix for cleaning out the fridge without making supper feel like a science project.
Yes, and it is easy to adjust. Start with the stated 1 cup mix to 4 cups water, then use a little less water for a stew-like bowl or add an extra 1/2 to 1 cup hot water after standing if you want more of a brothy soup.
It pairs well with buttered bread, crackers, biscuits, or a grilled cheese sandwich. The soup is light enough to work as a side, but with the bean flakes and couscous, it also holds its own as a simple lunch when you do not feel like cooking a second thing.
You can freeze it for up to 3 months in well-sealed containers. Just leave a little headspace because soups expand when frozen, and expect the couscous to soften a bit more after thawing, which is normal and not a kitchen tragedy.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Dehydrated Soup Mix
Dehydrated Soup Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat couscous
- 1 cup dehydrated bean flakes
- 1 cup dehydrated soup flakes
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- ¼ cup vegetable broth powder
- 2 teaspoons herb pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dehydrated onion flakes
- 1 tablespoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the whole wheat couscous, dehydrated bean flakes, dehydrated soup flakes, nutritional yeast, vegetable broth powder, herb pepper, dried oregano, dehydrated onion flakes, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir well until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture to a sealed airtight container for storage.
- To prepare, combine 1 cup of mix with 4 cups boiling water.
- Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Cover and let stand at least 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
The full batch yields about 5 prepared batches, or about 10 large servings total, estimated.
Store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place up to 6 months for best quality, estimated.
Refrigerate prepared soup within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.
This dehydrated soup mix is a total lifesaver for camping trips or busy weeknights! 🏕️🍲 I love how you can customize it with your favorite veggies or add different seasonings depending on your taste.
It’s also a great way to use up leftover veggies before they go bad. Has anyone tried adding noodles or rice to the mix for a more filling soup? 🍜 It seems like the perfect grab-and-go meal!
I like this recipe because it’s not only easy to make, but also healthy and nutritious. The author has included a list of ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store or online. I’m always looking for ways to save money on groceries so the fact that you can buy all these ingredients off Amazon is great! It makes me feel more confident about my purchase too knowing there will be no shipping costs involved with delivery.