Vibrant Rainbow Bean Soup Mix
Bring a burst of color and nutrition to your meals with this Vibrant Rainbow Bean Soup Mix! Packed in a quart jar, this homemade soup mix makes for a delightful and thoughtful gift. A perfect addition to welcome baskets, it contains a variety of colorful beans and flavorful seasonings. Just add a can of crushed tomatoes and some soup crackers, and you've got a heartwarming dish ready to serve 12 people. Not only is it a great gift, but it's also an excellent way to enjoy a wholesome meal with family and friends, perfect for cozy evenings or a quick meal during busy days.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried red beans
3/4 cup (rinsed)
Dried great northern beans
3/4 cup (rinsed)
Dried split peas
3/4 cup (rinsed)
Dried lentils
3/4 cup (rinsed, brown, red, or yellow)
Dried black beans
3/4 cup (rinsed)
Dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons (none)
Beef bouillon granules
2 tablespoons (none)
Dried parsley flakes
2 tablespoons (none)
Dried basil
2 teaspoons (none)
Sweetened lemonade drink mix
2 teaspoons (none)
Chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon (none)
Canned ham (optional)
1 can (5 ounces) (optional, if desired)
Instructions
1
Choose a wide-mouth quart jar for packing the ingredients; if unavailable, any quart-sized jar will suffice.
2
Layer the dried beans in the jar in the following order: red beans, great northern beans, split peas, lentils (brown, red, or yellow), and black beans, ensuring each layer is even.
3
In a separate bag, combine the dried onion flakes, beef bouillon granules, parsley flakes, basil, sweetened lemonade drink mix, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano to create a seasoning packet. Flatten this packet before placing it on top of the beans in the jar.
4
Seal the jar tightly, decorate it as desired, and attach a recipe card with preparation instructions.
5
Don’t forget to label the jar with an expiration date—one year from the date of assembly.
6
To prepare the soup: Remove the seasoning packet from the jar and set it aside. Rinse the assorted beans thoroughly and place them in a large microwave-safe dish. Cover the beans with water, ensuring there's 1 to 2 inches above them. Loosely cover the dish with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 15 minutes, rotating the dish halfway through.
7
Drain and rinse the beans again, then transfer them to a large pot. Add 8 cups of water, one 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, and the seasoning from the packet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 1.5 hours or until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibrant Rainbow Bean Soup Mix?
It is a colorful and nutritious homemade soup mix layered in a quart jar, designed as a gift or a convenient family meal.
What size jar is needed for the soup mix?
A wide-mouth quart jar is recommended for the best presentation and ease of packing.
What types of beans are included in the mix?
The mix includes dried red beans, great northern beans, split peas, lentils, and black beans.
How many servings does this soup recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 12 people.
In what order should the beans be layered?
Layer the dried beans in this order: red beans, great northern beans, split peas, lentils, and finally black beans.
What type of lentils should I use?
You can use brown, red, or yellow lentils depending on your preference.
How do I prepare the seasoning packet?
Combine onion flakes, beef bouillon, parsley, basil, lemonade mix, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano in a separate small bag.
Where does the seasoning packet go in the jar?
Flatten the seasoning packet and place it on top of the last layer of beans before sealing the jar.
What is the shelf life of the assembled jar?
The jar should be labeled with an expiration date of one year from the date of assembly.
How do I start the cooking process?
Remove the seasoning packet, rinse the beans, and place them in a microwave-safe dish covered with water.
How long should the beans be microwaved?
Microwave the beans on high for 15 minutes, rotating the dish halfway through the process.
Do I need to cover the dish in the microwave?
Yes, loosely cover the microwave-safe dish with plastic wrap.
What is the next step after microwaving the beans?
Drain and rinse the beans again before transferring them to a large cooking pot.
How much water is added for the final simmer?
Add 8 cups of water to the pot with the beans.
What other ingredients are added to the pot?
Add one 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and the contents of the seasoning packet.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Simmer the soup for about 1.5 hours or until the beans reach the desired tenderness.
Is there an optional meat addition?
Yes, you can add one 5-ounce can of ham if you prefer a meatier soup.
What should I serve with the Vibrant Rainbow Bean Soup?
The soup is perfect when served with soup crackers.
Is this soup mix suitable for vegetarians?
It can be made vegetarian by using vegetable bouillon instead of beef bouillon and omitting the optional ham.
Why is lemonade mix included in the seasoning?
Sweetened lemonade drink mix provides a unique acidic and sweet balance to the savory seasonings.
Can I use a regular quart jar instead of a wide-mouth one?
Yes, any quart-sized jar will work if a wide-mouth version is unavailable.
How much of each bean type is used?
Use 3/4 cup of each of the five types of dried beans.
Do I need to soak the beans overnight?
No, this recipe uses a 15-minute microwave method as a quick-soak alternative.
How much beef bouillon is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of beef bouillon granules.
What herbs are in the seasoning mix?
The mix includes dried parsley flakes, dried basil, and dried oregano.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe requires 1.5 teaspoons of chili powder.
Can this be given as a gift?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a thoughtful gift for welcome baskets or holidays.
Should the layers be even?
Yes, ensuring each layer is even creates the 'rainbow' aesthetic in the jar.
What is the first layer of beans?
The first layer placed at the bottom of the jar is the dried red beans.
Do I need to stir the soup while it simmers?
Yes, stir the soup occasionally while it covers and simmers for 1.5 hours.