Soda Bottle Soup Mix

Soda Bottle Soup Mix is a medium American (Emergency Food Storage) recipe that serves 6. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by RoseRed Homestead on YouTube.

Prep: 30 min | Cook: 30 min | Total: 1 hr 15 min

Cost: $55.48 total, $9.25 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Freeze‑Dried Mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery) (Freeze‑dried mix; rehydrates during cooking)
  • 1 piece Oxygen Absorber (300 cc size; keeps mix dry for up to a year)
  • 0.5 cup Pearled Barley (Cooks in ~20‑25 min; quicker than hull barley)
  • 0.5 cup Green Split Peas (Dried; adds protein and texture)
  • 0.5 cup Mixed Lentils (brown & yellow) (Combination of brown and yellow lentils for flavor and color)
  • 0.5 cup Quinoa (Provides protein and quick cooking grain)
  • 1 cup Small Pasta (ditalini or similar) (Tiny tube pasta; adds heartiness)
  • 6 cubes Country Chicken Bouillon Cubes (Each cube flavors 2 cups water; use beef cubes for a richer broth if desired)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Packed into flavor straw)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Lemon Pepper (Packed into flavor straw)
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley (Packed into flavor straw; adds fresh herb flavor)

Instructions

  1. Sanitize the Bottle

    Wash the empty soda bottle with hot, soapy water, rinse well, and place it on a windowsill to air‑dry completely for at least 24 hours.

    Time: PT12H

  2. Add Freeze‑Dried Mirepoix

    Using the paper funnel, carefully pour 1 cup of freeze‑dried mirepoix into the bottom of the dry bottle.

    Time: PT2M

  3. Insert Oxygen Absorber

    Place the 300 cc oxygen absorber on top of the mirepoix, letting it rest near the bottom of the bottle.

    Time: PT1M

  4. Add Pearled Barley

    Add ½ cup of pearled barley over the absorber.

    Time: PT1M

  5. Add Green Split Peas

    Add ½ cup of green split peas.

    Time: PT1M

  6. Add Mixed Lentils

    Add ½ cup of mixed brown and yellow lentils.

    Time: PT1M

  7. Add Quinoa

    Add ½ cup of quinoa (or bulgur rice if preferred).

    Time: PT1M

  8. Add Small Pasta

    Add 1 cup of ditalini‑style pasta.

    Time: PT1M

  9. Add Bouillon Cubes

    Drop six country chicken bouillon cubes into the bottle; they will dissolve when water is added.

    Time: PT1M

  10. Prepare Flavor Straw

    Take a sturdy straw, fill it with ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp lemon pepper, and 1 tbsp dried parsley. Pack the spices tightly, pinch the ends, and seal with a small piece of tape.

    Time: PT5M

  11. Insert Flavor Straw

    Insert the sealed flavor straw into the bottle, positioning it near the top so it can be easily pulled out when cooking.

    Time: PT1M

  12. Seal and Label

    Cap the bottle tightly, label with flavor (e.g., "Chicken Soup Mix"), date, and store in a cool, dry place.

    Time: PT2M

  13. Cook the Soup

    When ready to eat, pour 3 quarts (12 cups) of water into a large pot, add the entire contents of the bottle, and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20‑30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you prefer firmer pasta, add the pasta during the last 10 minutes.

    Time: PT30M

    Temperature: 190°F

Nutrition Facts

Calories
250
Protein
12 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
2 g
Fiber
8 g

Dietary info: Non‑vegetarian, Contains gluten

Allergens: Gluten (pasta, barley), Potential soy in bouillon

Last updated: April 11, 2026

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Soda Bottle Soup Mix

Recipe by RoseRed Homestead

A shelf‑stable, DIY soup mix packed in a 1‑liter soda bottle. Combine freeze‑dried vegetables, grains, legumes, pasta, bouillon and a flavor straw for a quick, hearty soup that only needs water and a few minutes of simmering. Perfect for emergency food storage, gifting, or a convenient meal for friends and neighbors.

MediumAmerican (Emergency Food Storage)Serves 6

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
12h 16m
Prep
31m
Cook
1h 32m
Cleanup
14h 19m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$55.48
Total cost
$9.25
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Ensuring the soda bottle is completely dry before filling.
  • Packing the flavor straw tightly and sealing it securely.
  • Using the correct number of bouillon cubes to achieve proper broth strength.

Safety Warnings

  • Do not ingest oxygen absorber; keep out of reach of children.
  • Handle hot water with care to avoid burns.
  • Do not reuse the soda bottle for non‑food storage after use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of the "Meals in a Bag" concept popularized by the YouTube channel Rose Red Homestead?

A

Rose Red Homestead created the "Meals in a Bag" series to provide simple, shelf‑stable meals that can be given to neighbors or used in emergencies. The idea echoes historic wartime and homesteading practices of pre‑packing food for disaster preparedness, reflecting a modern DIY self‑reliance movement.

cultural
Q

How does the Emergency Soup Mix in Soda Bottle differ from traditional canned soups in American cuisine?

A

Unlike canned soups, this mix uses a reusable plastic soda bottle, freeze‑dried vegetables, and separate flavor straws, allowing the user to add fresh water and control cooking time. It eliminates preservatives and offers customizable flavors while being lightweight for storage.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations in American homesteading culture are soup mixes like this traditionally associated with?

A

Emergency soup mixes are often prepared for seasonal harvest festivals, community preparedness drives, and as thoughtful gifts during holidays such as Thanksgiving or winter holidays when families exchange homemade food kits.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for a chicken‑flavored emergency soup mix versus acceptable substitutes?

A

The authentic mix uses country chicken bouillon cubes, freeze‑dried mirepoix, barley, split peas, lentils, quinoa, and small pasta. Acceptable substitutes include beef bouillon for a richer broth, bulgur or millet for quinoa, and any short‑shape pasta if ditalini is unavailable.

cultural
Q

What other Rose Red Homestead recipes pair well with the Emergency Soup Mix in Soda Bottle?

A

Rose Red Homestead often pairs this soup with simple side dishes like homemade cornbread, a fresh garden salad, or a batch of pickled vegetables to add crunch and acidity to the meal.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the Emergency Soup Mix in Soda Bottle?

A

Common mistakes include not drying the bottle completely, packing the flavor straw loosely (which leads to uneven seasoning), and adding too much pasta at the start, which can become overcooked. Following the critical steps ensures a safe, tasty result.

technical
Q

Why does this Emergency Soup Mix recipe use a separate flavor straw instead of mixing spices directly into the bottle?

A

The straw isolates the spices from moisture, preserving their potency during long storage and preventing clumping. It also allows the user to pull out the flavor packet easily, ensuring even distribution when the soup is cooked.

technical
Q

Can I make the Emergency Soup Mix ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, assemble the bottles weeks or months in advance. Store them in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight. The oxygen absorber keeps the mix fresh for up to 12 months.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the Emergency Soup Mix is finished cooking?

A

The soup should have a clear, lightly golden broth with visible grains of barley, tender peas, lentils, and quinoa. The pasta should be al dente, and the flavor straw should have dissolved, leaving specks of parsley throughout.

technical
Q

How do I know when the Emergency Soup Mix is done cooking?

A

After 20‑30 minutes of simmering, test a grain of barley and a lentil; both should be tender but not mushy. The pasta should be just cooked through, and the broth should be hot and fragrant.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Rose Red Homestead specialize in?

A

Rose Red Homestead specializes in homesteading, self‑sufficiency, and practical cooking tutorials that focus on long‑term food storage, DIY projects, and rustic, family‑friendly recipes.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Rose Red Homestead's approach to emergency food preparation differ from other homesteading channels?

A

Rose Red Homestead emphasizes reusable packaging like soda bottles, detailed step‑by‑step visual guides, and a community‑driven mindset, whereas many other channels rely on traditional glass jars or canned goods without the same level of customizable flavor packets.

channel

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