10 Easy Meals Using One Packet of Onion Soup Mix
Onion soup mix is the secret ingredient that transforms ordinary dinners into flavorful family favorites. This pantry staple adds instant savory depth to everything from chicken to beef.
These simple recipes prove that great taste doesn’t require complicated ingredients or hours in the kitchen.
01. Savory Onion Baked Chicken Strips
Juicy chicken strips with a golden, flavorful coating that’s impossible to resist. This family-friendly dinner comes together quickly with minimal prep work required.
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 packet onion soup mix, ½ cup butter, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Savory Onion Baked Chicken Strips
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch wide strips, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking throughout.
2. Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl and stir in the entire packet of onion soup mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and a pinch of black pepper.
3. Dip each chicken strip into the butter mixture, coating completely, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated. Place strips on prepared baking sheet without touching.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and coating is golden brown and crispy. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.
02. Hearty Taco Soup
All your favorite taco flavors in a warming, satisfying soup. This one-pot wonder feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef, 1 packet onion soup mix, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can black beans, 1 can corn, 2 cups beef broth, 1 packet taco seasoning, sour cream and tortilla chips for serving.
How To Make Hearty Taco Soup
1. Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pot for flavor.
2. Add onion soup mix and taco seasoning to the beef, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant. This step helps bloom the spices for maximum flavor development.
3. Pour in diced tomatoes with juice, drained black beans, drained corn, and beef broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with dollops of sour cream, shredded cheese, and crushed tortilla chips on top for the perfect taco experience.
5. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, adding extra broth when reheating if needed to reach desired consistency.
03. Simple Four-Ingredient Beef Stroganoff
Creamy, comforting stroganoff that proves delicious doesn’t have to be complicated. This streamlined version delivers rich flavor with minimal ingredients and effort.
Ingredients: 1½ pounds beef stew meat, 1 packet onion soup mix, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, cooked egg noodles for serving.
How To Make Simple Four-Ingredient Beef Stroganoff
1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef pieces in a single layer, allowing them to brown undisturbed for 3-4 minutes before stirring for even browning.
2. Sprinkle onion soup mix over browned beef and stir to coat evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes until the mix becomes fragrant and adheres to the meat.
3. Add cream of mushroom soup and ½ cup water, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 45 minutes until beef is fork-tender.
4. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve immediately over hot egg noodles or rice for a complete meal.
04. Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
Sweet and savory chicken that practically cooks itself in your slow cooker. The cranberry sauce creates a beautiful glaze that’s perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 packet onion soup mix, 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce, ½ cup Italian dressing, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them in your slow cooker in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, Italian dressing, and onion soup mix until smooth and well combined. The mixture should be pourable but thick.
3. Pour the cranberry mixture over chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours until chicken shreds easily.
4. Remove chicken and shred with two forks, then return to the slow cooker. Stir to combine with the sauce and let it absorb the flavors for 10 minutes before serving over rice or mashed potatoes.
05. Cola-Glazed Onion Pork Chops
Tender pork chops with an unexpected cola glaze that creates incredible flavor. The soda tenderizes the meat while the onion mix adds savory depth.
Ingredients: 6 bone-in pork chops, 1 packet onion soup mix, 1 can cola, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water, salt and pepper.
How To Make Cola-Glazed Onion Pork Chops
1. Season pork chops generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and ready for searing.
2. Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Transfer seared chops to a plate and set aside.
3. Pour cola into the same skillet and add onion soup mix, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
4. Return pork chops to the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until chops reach 145°F internally and are tender throughout.
5. Mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then stir into the pan juices. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens into a glossy glaze that coats the back of a spoon.
06. Classic Salisbury Steaks
Homestyle beef patties smothered in rich onion gravy that tastes like comfort food heaven. This family favorite brings restaurant quality to your dinner table.
Ingredients: 1½ pounds ground beef, 1 packet onion soup mix, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, mushrooms optional.
How To Make Classic Salisbury Steaks
1. Combine ground beef, half the onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, and beaten egg in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, avoiding overmixing which creates tough patties.
2. Shape mixture into 6 oval patties about ¾-inch thick. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown patties for 4 minutes per side until golden.
3. Remove patties and set aside. Add flour to the same skillet and whisk constantly for 1 minute to create a roux, scraping up any browned bits for flavor.
4. Gradually whisk in beef broth and remaining onion soup mix until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes of constant whisking.
5. Return patties to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes until cooked through and gravy is rich and flavorful. Serve immediately over mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
07. Flavorful Onion Burgers
Juicy burgers packed with onion flavor that’ll become your new go-to recipe. These patties stay moist and delicious thanks to the secret soup mix ingredient.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef, 1 packet onion soup mix, ¼ cup water, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 8 hamburger buns, cheese slices optional, burger toppings as desired.
How To Make Flavorful Onion Burgers
1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion soup mix, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently with clean hands until ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
2. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into patties slightly larger than your buns, as they’ll shrink during cooking. Create a small indent in the center to prevent puffing.
3. Preheat grill or large skillet to medium-high heat. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side for medium doneness, avoiding pressing down which releases juices.
4. If adding cheese, place slices on patties during the last minute of cooking and cover to melt. Toast buns lightly and serve burgers with your favorite toppings and condiments.
08. Award-Winning Chili
Rich, complex chili that’s won multiple cook-offs with its perfect blend of spices. This recipe takes time but delivers incredible depth of flavor worth every minute.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef, 1 packet onion soup mix, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can tomato paste, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, dark chocolate square.
How To Make Award-Winning Chili
1. Brown ground beef in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat but leave about 2 tablespoons for flavor development.
2. Add onion soup mix, chili powder, and cumin to the beef, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant and coat the meat evenly throughout.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it darkens slightly. Add diced tomatoes with juice, drained kidney beans, and beef broth, bringing mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add the chocolate square during the last 10 minutes, stirring until melted and incorporated.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The chili should be thick enough to coat a spoon but not dry. Serve with cornbread, sour cream, and shredded cheese for the complete experience.
09. Martha’s Vegetable Beef Soup
Hearty soup loaded with tender vegetables and beef in a savory broth. This recipe is perfect for using up leftover roast and vegetables from previous meals.
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked beef, 1 packet onion soup mix, 6 cups beef broth, 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 cup potatoes, 1 bay leaf.
How To Make Martha’s Vegetable Beef Soup
1. Cut cooked beef into bite-sized pieces and dice potatoes into ½-inch cubes for even cooking. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add beef broth along with onion soup mix.
2. Bring broth to a boil, then add diced potatoes and bay leaf. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes until potatoes start to become tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Add frozen vegetables, diced tomatoes with juice, and cooked beef pieces to the pot. Return to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
4. Remove bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding salt and pepper to your preference. Serve hot with crusty bread for a complete, satisfying meal.
10. Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Soup
Ultra-creamy chicken soup that’s anything but ordinary with its rich, velvety texture. The slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day.
Ingredients: 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 packet onion soup mix, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables, 1 can cream of chicken soup, ½ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons cornstarch.
How To Make Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Soup
1. Place chicken breasts in your slow cooker and sprinkle with onion soup mix, ensuring even coverage on all pieces. Pour chicken broth over the top until chicken is completely covered.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours until chicken shreds easily with a fork. Remove chicken, shred into bite-sized pieces, and return to the slow cooker immediately.
3. Add frozen vegetables and cream of chicken soup to the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for another 30 minutes.
4. Mix cornstarch with heavy cream until smooth, then stir into the soup. Cook for 15 more minutes until thickened to your desired consistency and vegetables are tender throughout.
Final Thoughts
These onion soup mix recipes prove that simple ingredients can create extraordinary meals your family will request again and again.
Keep packets in your pantry for those busy nights when you need dinner solutions that deliver both convenience and incredible flavor.
