Dried soup mixes are a staple in many emergency food supplies, from long-term stockpiles to rations that backpackers bring with them on hikes. While it’s always a good idea to have some on hand that are pre-packaged, you can make your own batches with some basic ingredients in a few easy steps as well. Let’s take a look at a few sample recipes that illustrate how easy it is to incorporate more variety into your emergency supplies.
Minestrone
Add 1½-2 tablespoons of chicken bullion, either powdered or cubed, 2 teaspoons of tomato powder, ¼ teaspoon of garlic and onion powder as well as Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt and pepper, a little less than ½ cup of mixed dehydrated vegetables, and ½ cup of dried pasta. Boil in 2 cups of water until the pasta is tender when ready to eat.
Tomato Basil Cream
Combine ¼ cup of tomato powder with 1/3 to ½ cup of powdered milk, a couple of tablespoons of chicken bullion, 1-2 teaspoons of dried basil, ¼ teaspoon of onion and garlic powder, and a pinch or two of salt and pepper. To prepare, simply simmer the mix in 2½ of water for about 10 minutes.
Italian Barley Soup
Mix together a cup of barley with ½ cup of sliced dehydrated tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of dried basil, 1 tablespoon each of dehydrated onions, garlic powder, oregano, parsley, salt pepper and a vegetable bullion cube. When ready to prepare, add in a can of diced tomatoes, 4 cups of water, and cook the soup for 20 minutes or until everything softens up.
Split Pea
This is probably the most-recognizable dried soup out there, and it’s easy to make your own mix. All you need is 2 cups of dried peas, a chicken bullion cube, ¾ teaspoon of celery seed, pinch of salt and pepper, 1 tablespoon of dehydrated onions and garlic, a bay leaf, and some dried bacon or ham if available. Combine the ingredients with four cups of water, simmer for about 30 minutes, and you’re good to go.
Chicken Noodle
Combine 2 cups of egg noodles with a chicken bullion cube, 1 tablespoon each of dehydrated onion and garlic, a bay leaf and ½ teaspoon each of dried rosemary, thyme, sage, celery seed, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. When ready to eat, add the seasonings and some cooked chicken pieces to 3 cups of water and simmer until the noodles get tender.
Coconut Milk Rice
Mix ½ cup of coconut milk powder with 2 tablespoons of dehydrated peas, 2 teaspoons of corn starch, 1½ – 2 tablespoons of chicken bullion, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of dried soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of dried onions or scallions, ½ teaspoon of garlic and ginger powder, some cayenne or other spices of your choice and ¼ cup of instant rice. When ready to serve, simmer the mix in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes.
Packaging Options
While the mixes are easy to make, it’s important to consider how you want to package the finished product. You can store them in small jars, zipper or vacuum sealed bags with or without including the noodles. Just remember that exposure to air and moisture will impact freshness as well as overall shelf life, so package the products accordingly to avoid spoilage down the line.
Try these recipes for yourself, and do some experimentation with your own ideas as well. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to add a lot of variety to your emergency food supply, and this can be an excellent source of nutrition and comfort as you endure the challenges of a prolonged survival situation.
