homemade chicken noodle soup mixes layered in mason jars

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These Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Mixes in Mason Jars make the most thoughtful, cozy, and gorgeous DIY gifts. They look stunning sitting on a pantry shelf with their colorful, layered dry ingredients, and all the recipient has to do is dump the jar into a pot with water and chicken to get a batch of homemade comfort food!

Here is a foolproof recipe and assembly guide for standard quart-sized (32 oz) mason jars.

Ingredients (Per Quart Jar)

  • Layer 1 (The Base Seasonings & Aromatics):
    • 2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder or granules (or crushed bouillon cubes)
    • 1 tsp dried onion flakes (or minced dried onion)
    • 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ tsp ground turmeric (gives the broth a lovely golden, authentic color)
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • Optional: 1 small bay leaf tucked right against the side of the jar
  • Layer 2 (The Dry Pasta):
    • 1 ½ cups egg noodles (wide or medium egg noodles fit best and cook evenly)
  • Layer 3 (The Hearty Extras):
    • ½ cup dried vegetable flakes (a mix of dried carrots, celery, and bell peppers)
    • Alternatively: ½ cup dried split red lentils or pearl barley for extra texture and heartiness.

Instructions

1. Sanitize and Dry the Jars

  • Ensure your quart-sized mason jars and lids are completely clean and 100% dry before starting. Any trapped moisture can cause the dry ingredients to clump or spoil.

2. Layer the Ingredients

To get those distinct, gorgeous stripes through the glass, add the ingredients in this exact order:
  • Bottom Layer: Carefully spoon in all your dry seasonings and aromatics (bouillon powder, onion flakes, parsley, garlic powder, turmeric, pepper, and tuck your bay leaf down the side so it’s visible).
  • Middle Layer: Gently add the egg noodles, tapping the jar lightly on a towel-lined counter to help them settle without breaking.
  • Top Layer: Fill the remaining space at the top of the jar with your dried vegetable flakes or lentils right up to the base of the neck, sealing off the dry goods.

3. Seal and Decorate

  • Place the lid on tightly and secure the ring.
  • Add a festive fabric square, a rustic twine bow, and attach a gift tag with the cooking instructions (detailed below)!

Gift Tag Instructions (What the Recipient Needs to Do)

Include these simple instructions on the attached gift tag so they know how to transform the jar into soup:
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Instructions:
  1. Empty Contents: Remove the bay leaf (if desired). Pour the contents of the jar (noodles, veggies, and seasonings) into a large soup pot.
  2. Add Liquid & Meat: Add 6 to 8 cups of water (or low-sodium chicken broth for an even richer taste) and 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!).
  3. Simmer: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles and vegetables are tender.
  4. Serve: Ladle into bowls and enjoy hot!

Pro-Tips for Success

  • Egg Noodles are Best: Wide or medium egg noodles work best for jar mixes because they cook quickly and evenly in the simmering broth alongside the dried veggies.
  • Shelf Life: Because these mixes use completely shelf-stable, dry ingredients, they will easily keep in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 to 12 months!

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