41 thoughts on “Homemade Onion Soup Mix Packets

  1. I found MANY recipes for this; however, NONE of them have corn starch which IS in the original dry soup mix. What does the corn starch do & if I wanted to add it, what amount would you suggest? Thank you

    1. Hi Candy, I’m not sure what the cornstarch does in onion soup mix? The only reason I’ve used cornstarch is as a thickening agent. If I was to add it to this recipe I would put in 1/2 of a teaspoon. πŸ™‚ Thanks for stopping by!

      1. yes, that sounds like the right amount! I HOPE it won’t hurt any; however, like I said the packet says it’s in there πŸ™‚ Thank you very much, SO GLAD I stumbled across this….have a wonderful day

    2. What I’ve read about cornstarch is that it “turns into MSG” during it’s manufacture, as do a lot of other things. I avoid cornstarch as much as possible because I react (not in a good way) from it like I do from all MSG and anything that “turns into MSG,” sneakily added to foods under many hidden names. Cornstarch is in confectioner’s sugar, too. This one’s hard to avoid without giving up icing totally. I would leave cornstarch out of all recipes, including this one. Arrowroot and other thickeners work just as well without the MSG.

      1. I’m coming into this long after your original post and my apologies if it has already been mentioned…
        My grandmother used to make powdered sugar herself by blending regular sugar in a good blender.

      2. To make Confectioner’s Sugar. Put an amount of granulated sugar for your needs into a food processor. Spin on highest power until granulated sugar powders. The added cornstarch in the Powdered Sugar is to prevent clumping. It is an (undeclared ingredient) in almost any dry powdered goods for that reason, from herbs and spices to recipe packets and processed foods. The MSG is a breakdown product of making Corn Syrup or HF Corn Syrup. It doesn’t actually “turn into” MSG, it is a breakdown product. Just as cheap white vinegar results from breaking down raw crude oil into gasoline, etc. So you can safely leave out the cornstarch. If clumping is a problem rice grains or powdered rice will workRead salt before buying, if it says nothing take a pass, if it says silica dioxide that is in place of cornstarch, cornstarch is classified as a nondeclarable, meaning it is not required to be listed in anything. An alternate is potato starch for thickening. To replace corn syrup make basic glucose syrup (candy, cocktails, punches, fruit drinks, popsicles, soda, juice bars, etc. from granulated sugar and water. For Salt, Baking Soda, and Baking Powder use organic brands. La Baleine Sea Salt is imported from France, check the label to make certain what is in it. They make iodized and uniodized versions. The EU are far ahead of the US, in labeling laws.
        Suspect any packet from the spice area and bottled herbs and spices. It includes any processed foods from Ramen noodles to Rice-a-Roni, tabboleh – to Minute Rice, Cake Mixes, Muffins, cookies, and Bisquik mixes, drink mixes, Koolaid to Nesquik, hot chocolate to GF International Coffee, Dry Coffee creamers, Jello and Royal gelatins to Puddings( hence the name cornstarch pudding.) cornstarch is ubiquitous in makeup. Suspect flavor packets, packaged with Corned Beef( the meat is safe Corning is the name for the preservation process, check with a butcher, or buy plain brisket and flavor it yourself), packets can be packaged with hams and have cornstarch, corn syrup, high fructose CS. Etc. Packets can be found with turkey and chicken and either can be injected with unspecific plumping and juice enhancers. Any gravy, stew, soup, sauce, spice, bouillon, cheese foods, cheap grated cheeses and the soft grated cheeses, cheese sticks, and some creamy cheeses. Read the label, every time, companies change formulas frequently without announcement. Read every combination spice and herb.
        In spring, and fall for new or substituted ingredients. A Whole Food Organic Diet should be safe but read labels any how. Hope this is helpful to someone who needs to get healthier, and needs to improve Shopping, improve cooking skills, add healthier ingredients, and better recipes.( thanks for this French Onion Soup Mix, et al) Sausage Mix makes great spaghetti sauce, with or without sausages.

    3. Cornstarch is a thickener. You can use instead: Flour, Potato Starch, Tapioca Starch, Arrowroot (do not use Arrowroot in sweet things though because it imparts a very odd flavor to them for some reason). Also just please make sure that your potato, tapioca and corn starch are NOT ‘Modified’ : it should say this on the label, the reason you do not want modified potato starch, modified food starch of any kind is because it is another word for MSG and can cause serious allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to it.

  2. Thank you so much for sharing. Due to my heart condition my sodium is restricted. Making my pot roast and favorite Lipton recipe for meatloaf seemed like I would never be able to have them again. I tweaked your recipe a little, and voila, I am back in business! You are the best!

    1. Hi Lori, That would depend on how fresh the herbs and spices are that you put in the mix. If you are using recently purchased herbs and spices it could last for a couple of years. The mix will settle over time and clump together but you just have to give it a shake before you use it.

    2. Also, your climate makes a difference. I’m at sea level, and unless I vacuum seal jars with oxygen absorbers and a Food Saver, humidity ruins anything powdered in a few weeks.

      1. Ms. Grace – If I make this is bulk, do you know what the measurement that would equal 1 packet of the Lipton’s mix?

        Big “Thank You!” for the Don’t Buy It – Make It recipes!

        Love your site! Love your chickens! Love your recipes! …. Love it all!

        Thank you.

  3. I ran across this recipe on pinterest and am tickled. My husband has had a stroke and has to really watch his intake of sodium because of high blood pressure. I made the recipe but omitted the salt and used only a fraction of the celery salt that the recipe called for and it taste fabulous. I can now have flavor and control the sodium which he shouldn’t have. Thank you Very Much

  4. Thank God for Pinterest and me finding your recipe! I love using Onion Soup Mix in all kinds of things because you just can’t beat that flavor, but I felt like it was bad for you and have been looking for a great alternative… I appreciate you posting this! πŸ™‚

  5. Love Pintrest! Like everybody else I have been looking for something like this 1. Money saver 2. Reduce unwanted bad ingredients. Next I need to find a recipe for cream soups that most of my slow cooker recipes ask for. I’m looking forward to making this!

  6. I’m trying this with salt substitute for the kosher and stevia for the sugar.

    What measure (in Tablespoons I guess?) equals 1 package.

  7. This is going to sound silly…but my sister is allergic to onions and I needed a replacement for the onion soup packet when making an old family stew recipe. I followed your recipe but swapped the dried onion for dried celery flakes, and onion powder for garlic powder. The stew was delicious and everyone got to enjoy it! Thanks!

  8. This is missing any ingredient that would add the beef flavor/color found in a purchased onion soup mix, right? Or am I missing something?

  9. Well it fooled my rather picky husband (compared to a store bought version) so thanks now I don’t need to buy it before I make my sausage rolls!

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