Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
Ingredients (for 1 jar, multiply for more servings):
- 1/4 cup dried lentils or beans (such as black beans, chickpeas, or kidney beans)
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried herbs (such as thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning)
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef—depending on preference)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Layer the Ingredients in a Jar:
- Grab a clean mason jar or any glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (quart size works best). Start by layering your dried lentils or beans at the bottom.
- Next, add the diced carrots, celery, onion, and tomatoes in layers, pressing them down gently as you go. This helps keep the veggies fresh until you’re ready to cook.
- Add the minced garlic and dried herbs, then finish off with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t forget the bay leaf for an added layer of flavor (remove it before serving).
- Seal and Store:
- Once all the ingredients are layered in the jar, seal it tightly with the lid. Store it in your pantry or fridge (if you’ve prepped it in advance) for up to a week. You can even make several jars at once for easy meal prep!
- Cook the Soup:
- When you’re ready for some cozy soup, take the jar and pour the contents into a large pot.
- Add 2 cups of broth (or more if you like a thinner soup) and stir to combine.
- Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, or until the lentils/beans are tender and the flavors are well combined. If using beans, be sure they’re fully cooked!
- Serve:
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or herbs if necessary. Ladle into bowls and serve hot. If desired, drizzle with a bit of olive oil for richness and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for garnish.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO:
- Choose quick-cooking ingredients, like lentils, so the soup cooks faster. You can also use pre-cooked beans if you’re in a hurry.
- Layer the ingredients by size—start with the densest ingredients at the bottom (beans, lentils), followed by veggies, and top with the seasonings. This will keep everything fresh and easy to cook later.
- Label the jar with instructions on how much broth to add and the cooking time, just to make it even easier for later!
DON’T:
- Skip soaking dried beans if you’re using them (unless they’re quick-cook beans like lentils). If not soaked, they can take longer to cook.
- Forget to remove the bay leaf before serving—it’s a nice flavor enhancer, but no one wants to bite into that!
Variations:
- Mexican Soup in a Jar: Layer in black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, cumin, and chili powder. Cook with chicken or vegetable broth and add a squeeze of lime after cooking for a fresh, zesty finish.
- Italian Soup in a Jar: Use white beans, diced tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese after cooking.
- Curry Soup in a Jar: Add coconut milk, curry powder, diced sweet potatoes, and peas. Pair with vegetable broth for a warming, flavorful soup.
Soup in a Jar is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a homemade, healthy meal with minimal effort. Just grab a jar, add broth, cook, and enjoy your cozy, flavorful soup! 🥣
