Easy Soup in a Jar Gift (Layered Six Bean Cajun Soup Mix)

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Looking for an easy homemade Christmas mason jar gift? This recipe for soup in a jar is my favorite way to give a little something homemade during the holidays. I make it with six different types of beans, Cajun seasonings, and a few pantry staples. I love how the colorful layers look so festive in a mason jar, and the printable gift tag includes everything needed to prepare the soup. But my favorite part is that it’s also naturally gluten-free when made with certified gluten-free ingredients!

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I love homemade gifts that are both cute and practical! This layered soup mix is an easy DIY Christmas gift that doesn’t require much time or a lot of supplies. The different beans create colorful layers inside the jar, making it look just as good as it tastes.

Whether I’m looking for mason jar Christmas gift ideas for friends, family members, neighbors, teachers, or anyone who enjoys a homemade meal, this is my go-to DIY present. I especially love that the soup mix can be assembled ahead of time. A pretty ribbon and printable gift tag are all that’s needed to turn a few pantry ingredients into a thoughtful holiday gift!

Soup in a Jar

To make this easy soup mix in a jar gift, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. And since most of the soup ingredients are already in the jar, your friend will only need three fresh ingredients to prepare the meal!

This six bean soup mix uses simple pantry ingredients and a few seasonings to create a flavorful Cajun soup. Each ingredient is layered inside a mason jar, with the seasonings packaged separately to make cooking the soup super easy.

To make these easy Christmas gift, you’ll need:

• Navy beans
• Red beans
• Lima beans
• Split peas
• Black-eyed peas
• Pinto beans
• Chicken bouillon granules
• Cajun seasoning
• Minced onion
• Garlic powder
• Parsley flakes
• Bay leaf

How to Make Soup in a Jar

I like to be a little extra when I’m putting together my DIY gifts. So, while I could just dump all the beans into the jar and be done with it, why not take some time to create a beautiful present? That’s why I like to layer the ingredients in the jar to create visual appeal and make the ingredients pop.

But before you can start adding the beans to your mason jar, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. In addition to the cooking ingredients, you’ll also need a:

• Quart size canning jar. To build the bean layers in your jar, it’s best to use a large, quart-sized mason jar.
• Canning funnel. I recommend using a canning funnel to add each ingredient as I’m putting together my jars to keep from making a mess as I add the ingredients. A canning funnel has a wider mouth than a traditional funnel, making it perfect for pouring in the dry ingredients.
• Printable gift tag. Keep reading to see how to download my free printable gift tag. The tag includes instructions for making the Cajun bean soup using the jarred mix!
• Ribbon. Attach the tag to your jar with a piece of ribbon or twine to add one final decoration to your easy DIY gift.

How to Layer Soup in a Jar

Making this soup in a jar gift is really easy! The beans are layered inside a mason jar, and the seasonings are packaged separately. The entire assembly process takes about 10 minutes.

Start by adding the beans to a clean, dry mason jar. I like to layer them in the order listed in the recipe. This creates pretty stripes of different colors throughout the jar. Adding each type of bean slowly helps keep the layers neat and defined.

The first layer of beans in my jar is navy beans to add a nice white base layer to the gift.

After the navy beans, I added a layer of red beans, followed by a layer of white lima beans.

The lima beans are followed by a layer of green split peas, then a layer of black eyed peas. You see how each layer adds to the festive holiday look of the soup — perfect for Christmas!

The last layer of beans I added to my jar was pinto beans. After adding the beans and removing the canning funnel from the top of the jar, you’ll see that there is a little bit of space left at the top of the jar. You’ll need that space to place your seasoning packet. If your jar doesn’t have any extra space, try lighting tapping the jar on the table to help the beans settle a little bit.

Once I had all the beans layered in the jar, I made my seasoning packet. You’ll want to create the seasoning packet separately because the beans need to soak before cooking to help them soften.

To make your seasoning packet, combine the chicken bouillon, Cajun seasoning, minced onion, garlic powder, and parsley flakes. Place the seasonings and bay leaf inside a small bag.

To finish filling your jar, you can simply seal the bag and place it on top of the beans inside the jar. I like to trim off the zipper part of the bag and tie it off with a piece of colorful twine to give it a more festive look.

Soup in a Jar Gift Tag

Once you have your Cajun soup ingredients layered, it’s time to start decorating your jar for Christmas gifts! The most important decorative element is definitely the gift tag because it tells your gift recipient how to make the soup at home.

To make your own Christmas soup in a jar gift, you’ll need to print out my free gift tags. To get your own, simply subscribe to my email list, print them out on cardstock, and tie them to your jar.

AFTER SUBSCRIBING, YOU’LL RECEIVE A WELCOME EMAIL WITH A PASSWORD EXCLUSIVELY FOR MY SUBSCRIBERS. IF YOU DON’T SEE THE MESSAGE SHORTLY AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR JUNK OR SPAM FOLDERS AND ADD MY EMAIL AS TO YOUR SAFE LIST! I’LL KEEP YOU UP-TO-DATE ON NEW FREEBIES AND OTHER POSTS.

After downloading your printable tags, print them out on cardstock and cut the tags out around the outer border. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the corner of the tag. After that, just thread a piece of ribbon or twine through the hole and attach the tag to the top of your jar with a bow.

How to Make Cajun Six Bean Soup

The printable gift tag also includes instructions for preparing the soup. The cooking process starts with soaking the beans before adding the remaining ingredients.

Remove the seasoning packet from the jar and set it aside. Pour the beans into a strainer and rinse them thoroughly. Transfer the beans to a large pot with water. Bring the water to a boil, remove the pot from the heat, and let the beans soak for one hour.

Drain and rinse the beans again, then return them to the pot. Add fresh water, the seasoning packet, diced ham, and diced tomatoes. Stir everything together to combine.

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the beans are tender. This usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Soup in Jar FAQs

Can soup in a jar be made ahead of time?

Yes! This is one of my favorite things about this homemade gift. The jars can be assembled several weeks ahead of Christmas or other holidays. I recommend making several at once for an easy batch of homemade gifts.

How long does soup mix in a jar last?

When stored properly, the dry soup mix can last up to six months. Keep the jar sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Is this soup in a jar recipe gluten-free?

Yes! The beans and seasonings can all be gluten-free. Just make sure the chicken bouillon and Cajun seasoning are certified gluten-free. This makes a great homemade food gift for anyone following a gluten-free diet.

What size mason jar should I use?

Choose a mason jar large enough to hold all the beans and the small seasoning packet. A wide-mouth quart size jar makes layering the different beans easier.

Does the printable gift tag include cooking instructions?

Yes! The printable gift tag includes the instructions for preparing the soup. It’s an easy way to give the recipe along with the soup mix without needing to print a separate set of directions.

What meat can be added to the soup?

Diced ham is included in the cooking instructions, but several other options work well. Sausage, bacon, and chicken are all delicious additions. The soup can also be prepared without meat.

How Do I Store Soup in a Jar?

Store the assembled soup mix in a sealed mason jar in a cool, dry place for up to six months. Make sure the beans and jar are completely dry before assembling to prevent moisture from getting trapped inside. Once prepared, leftover soup should be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.

Soup in a Jar Recipe Ideas

One of the fun things about making a homemade soup mix is how easy it is to customize! Different beans can be used to create new color combinations and flavors. There are also several options for preparing the soup.

• Meat: Replace the diced ham with sausage, bacon, or chicken. The soup can also be made without meat.
• Black beans: Swap these for one of the beans in the original mix for a different flavor and color.
• Great northern beans: These mild white beans make a good substitute for navy beans.
• Baby lima beans: Use these in place of regular lima beans.
• Lentils: Add lentils for another hearty addition to the soup.
• Dried peas: These can be used in place of split peas.
• Kidney beans: Add these for a deeper red color and hearty texture.
• Chickpeas: These are another option for changing up the bean combination.

Keep in mind that changing the beans will also change the appearance of the layered mason jar. I love the original combination because the different colors create such pretty holiday colored layers!

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