This Lentil Brown Rice Dry Soup Mix is the perfect, plant-based meal to serve on a chilly night. This shelf stable mix also makes a unique, affordable, and thoughtful gift that friends and family will love! Get the FREE printable recipe card down below!

This post was first published on November 7, 2019. It was updated on December 14, 2023.

Why you’ll love this dry soup mix

Before I became a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), I had to complete a dietetic internship. During my internship, I had so much fun developing this recipe for a health fair reaching thousands in the local community. People stopping through our booth had the chance to create their own dry soup mix and measure out the ingredients in this interactive event. 

You can do the same at home. Simply grab your dry ingredients and measure them out into a baggie or mason jar. This is a great recipe or have on hand for an easy, one pot dinner.

This dry soup is a perfect holiday gift

During the holidays, we are often overloaded with sugary treats and processed snacks. While these can all be part of a balanced diet, it can be refreshing to mix it up and gift something a little different. Simply print out the recipe card below and attach it to your jar with a cute bow. Jars are also a great option because they are reusable so there’s no waste.

[Click here to download a copy of this printable recipe card!]

What ingredients do I need for this dry soup mix?

This mix calls for simple pantry ingredients like split peas, rice, lentils, and spices. It’s likely you already these items hanging in your pantry. If not, I recommend shopping the bulk section of the store. I’ll always bring my Lotus Sustainables Mesh Bags to the store for a zero-waste, zero-plastic shopping experience.

How do you make dry soup mix?

This mix calls for simple pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand. Here’s how to make it:

1. Add all your dry ingredients

Layer your dry ingredients into a pint sized zip top bag or pint sized (16 ounce) mason jar. It fun to see the variety of color in clear jars!

2. Include additional ingredients

This recipe calls for an optional can of tomatoes and an onion. I find this makes the soup more flavorful so I recommend gifting or cooking with these.

3. Attach recipe card

When gifting or storing this dry soup mix for later, include the recipe card with it for cooking instructions. You can print the recipe card HERE. I also love to add a cute ribbon or bow before gifting.

4. Cook now or later

If you’re making this dry soup mix for yourself, you can store and cook whenever you’re ready. Simply add over water and simmer until cooked through.

How long can this dry soup mix be stored for?

This dry soup mix will last in the pantry for up to one year. Once cooked, this soup will last up to 4 days in the fridge. Since this recipe makes a lot, you can also freeze any soup leftovers for up to 4 months.

Does this recipe have protein?

I love the combination of lentils and split peas because they provide great flavor, satisfying protein, and a creamy texture. Just 2 cups of this soup packs in 15 grams of plant-based protein for under 300 calories!

However, if you’re missing the meat, ground beef, sausage, or chicken breast would also work nicely in this recipe. You could also add in a sprinkle of cheese, nutritional yeast, or bacon bits to amp up the protein even more.

Can I use different spices?

Like all my other recipes, you can certainly customize this recipe any way to want. For this recipe, I’m using a beautiful array of garlic, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Herbs and spices are great for adding major flavor without extra calories or sodium. Feel free to sprinkle in other spices like cayenne pepper, cilantro, or bay leaves.

Can you double this recipe?

If you have a larger jar, feel free to double this recipe. You’ll just use 16 cups of water so make sure you have a large 12+ quart pot.

Pack on the veggies

Although it’s optional, I like to sauté diced onions and tomatoes before adding the dry ingredients to boost the color and flavor. Skip this step in the directions if you choose to omit the tomatoes and onion.

Don’t be afraid to make this soup your own and add in any of your favorite veggies. Any kind of fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables are all welcome in this recipe. Broccoli, carrots, corn, cauliflower, zucchini, or red peppers are good examples of vegetables that would be great to add. If you are adding in any extra vegetables, throw them into the pot right before adding the water and letting the soup simmer.

If you want to stick with dry ingredients, you could purchase dehydrated vegetables and add those into the dry soup mix. 

Try these other plant-based soup recipes too:

• Toasted Tomato Basil Soup
• Tuscan Kale & Farro Soup
• Or check out these 20 delicious vegan soups!

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