Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Six Meal in a Jar Recipes with Shopping Lists



*This post contains affiliate links.  I make a small percentage on items purchased through the links.  Your purchase supports this blog. 

I'm getting ready to make a bunch of meals in a jar.  I like to make a dozen of each recipe.  There is a little math to do to make sure you have all the ingredients, so I thought it might be helpful to share what I do and how I do it.  

What I'll be making:  Chicken Noodle Soup, Zuppa Toscanna, Lasagna Potato Soup,  Beef Strogonoff, and Burrito Bowls. 

A reminder about the basics of how to make a meal in a jar.

How to make a Meal-in-a-Jar:   Two Methods


Method 1:  Use a Food Saver to Seal the Jars
Step 1:  In a clean, dry quart jar, layer ingredients. Shake the powder down into the jar if needed.
Step 2:  Place the lid on the jar.  Don’t add the ring.
Step 3:  Attach one end of the hose to the accessory port and the other end to the jar sealer.  Place the jar sealer over the jar.
Step 4:  Turn on your food saver and remove the oxygen from the jar.  
Step 5: Remove the jar sealer (it is easier to unhook the hose from the jar sealer first), add label and ring, store in a cool dry place. 
Method 2:  Use Oxygen Absorbers
 Step 1:  In a clean, dry quart jar, layer ingredients. Shake the powder down into the jar if needed.
Step 2:  Wipe the top of the jar with a paper towel to remove any powder.
Step 3:  Top with a 300 cc oxygen absorber. Seal tightly.
Step 4:  The lid should seal within a few hours.  Add label.  Store in a cool, dry place.

I purchase my oxygen absorbers from Amazon.


My Assembly Line







The Recipes





Chicken Noodle Soup
A classic chicken soup filled with vegetables, chicken, and egg noodles.

 Jar Directions:  Layer ingredients in a quart-sized jar, shaking the dry powder ingredients into the bulkier items. Top with an oxygen (300 cc) packet for longer-term storage add new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring, OR seal with a food saver.  Cover with a new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring. 

*All of the ingredients will fit in the jar, if you are having trouble getting them to fit simply tap the bottom of the jar on a hard surface until the contents settle.
Cooking Directions:  Add contents of jar to 8 cup of rapidly boiling water.  Stir well.    Simmer 10 -12 minutes until noodles are soft. 

Shopping List for 12  Jars of
Chicken Noodle Soup
For 1 Jar of
Chicken Noodle Soup
1 spice can Thrive Salad Blend
1 #10 Can Thrive freeze-dried Celery (1/3 a can for a dozen)
1 #10 Can Carrots (1/3 a can for a dozen)
1 #10 Can Thrive freeze-dried Onions (1/3  a can for a dozen)
3 #10 cans Thrive Egg Noodles
¾ cup Thrive freeze dried Chopped Chicken
2 Tablespoons Thrive Chicken Bouillon
1 tsp Thrive Chef’s Choice Blend
1 tsp Thrive Salad Blend
¼  cup  Thrive freeze dried Celery
¼ cup Thrive freeze dried Carrots
¼  cup Thrive freeze dried Onions
1 ½ -2 cups Thrive Egg Noodles, fill the jar up




Zuppa Toscana
A spicy sausage, spinach and potato soup with a creamy broth. 

 Jar Directions:  Layer ingredients in a quart-sized jar, shaking the dry powder ingredients into the bulkier items. Top with an oxygen (300 cc) packet for longer-term storage add new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring, OR seal with a food saver.  Cover with a new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring. 
*All of the ingredients will fit in the jar, if you are having trouble getting them to fit simply tap the bottom of the jar on a hard surface until the contents settle.
Cooking Directions:  Add contents of jar to 8 cup of rapidly boiling water.  Stir well.    Simmer 20 minutes until potatoes are soft. 
Shopping List for 12  Jars of
Zuppa Toscana
For 1 Jar of
Zuppa Toscana
1 #10 Can Thrive  Potato Chunks
1#10 can Thrive freeze dried Sausage
1 #10 Can Thrive freeze dried Onion (you’ll use ½ can)
1 #10 Can Thrive freeze-dried  Kale
24  teaspoons red pepper flakes
9  teaspoon garlic powder
1 #10 Can Thrive Bacon TVP  or add bacon when cooking

3/4  cup Thrive dehydrate Potato Chunks
1/2 cup Thrive freeze dried Sausage
½ cup Thrive freeze dried Onion
3/4  cup Thrive freeze dried Kale
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¼  cup Thrive Bacon TVP
¼ cup Thrive Veloute sauce mix




Lasagna Soup
The traditional flavors of lasagna with sausage, pasta, and tomato sauce in a hearty soup.

 Jar Directions:  Layer ingredients in a quart-sized jar, shaking the dry powder ingredients into the bulkier items. Top with an oxygen (300 cc) packet for longer-term storage add new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring, OR seal with a food saver.  Cover with a new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring. 

*All of the ingredients will fit in the jar, if you are having trouble getting them to fit simply tap the bottom of the jar on a hard surface until the contents settle.
Cooking Directions:  Add contents of jar to 8 cup of rapidly boiling water add 2 teaspoons of olive oil.  Stir well.    Simmer 10 -12 minutes until noodles are soft. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.   
Shopping List for 12  Jars of
Lasagna Soup
For 1 Jar of
Lasagna Soup
1 #10 can of Thrive freeze dried Sausage
1 #10 can of Thrive freeze dried Onion (you’ll use 1/3 of the can)
1 pantry can Thrive Mixed Peppers
24 tsp garlic powder
1 pantry can Thrive Chicken Bouillon
1 pantry can Thrive Tomato Sauce
1 pantry can  Thrive Tomato Powder
1 spice can Thrive Chef’s Choice seasoning
3 #10 cans Thrive Rainbow Farfel Pasta

3/4 cup Thrive freeze dried Sausage
¼ cup Thrive freeze dried Onion
3 Tablespoons Mixed Peppers
1-2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tablespoon Chicken Bouillon
¼ cup Thrive Tomato Sauce
¼ cup Thrive Tomato Powder
1 tsp Thrive Chef’s Choice Seasoning
2 cups Thrive Rainbow Farfel Pasta

*In this recipe the more noodles you can fit in the jar the better, be sure to tap down the jars and add as many noodles as possible.  


Potato Soup
A creamy hearty potato soup

 Jar Directions:  Layer ingredients in a quart-sized jar, shaking the dry powder ingredients into the bulkier items. Top with an oxygen (300 cc) packet for longer-term storage add new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring, OR seal with a food saver.  Cover with a new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring. 

*All of the ingredients will fit in the jar, if you are having trouble getting them to fit simply tap the bottom of the jar on a hard surface until the contents settle.

Cooking Directions:  Add contents of jar to 8 cup of rapidly boiling water.  Stir well.    Simmer 20 minutes until potatoes are soft.   For a thicker soup add 6 cups water (instead of the 8 cups)

Shopping List for 12  Jars of
Potato Soup
For 1 Jar of
Potato Soup
2 pantry cans Thrive Béchamel Powder
1 #10 can Sour Cream (you’ll have extra)
1 pantry can freeze dried celery
1 pantry can freeze dried onion
3 cups precooked crumbled bacon
1 spice can chives (use either freeze dried or dehydrated)

½ cup Thrive Béchamel Powder
½ cup Sour Cream
¼ cup freeze dried celery
¼ cup freeze dried onion
1 ½ cup freeze dried potato dices
¼ cup precooked crumbled bacon (this shortens the shelf life, leave it out if you want a longer shelf life)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chives (use either freeze dried or dehydrated)


* Recipe Notes: In this recipe I use precooked crumbled bacon.  I recommend using store bought precooked bacon.  I get mine at Sam’s Club.  It looks like this.  When I use it in a meal in a jar recipe I figure that the jar meal will last as long as the bacon would have lasted on the shelf.  Most packages I’ve found have a 1 year shelf life.  So for my family I reduce the regular 5 year shelf life of this recipe to just 1 year.  We love bacon and I know we will eat this soup up in under a year.  If you are hoping for a longer shelf life just leave the bacon out of the jar, you can always add it when cooking. 

You could add Bacon TVP instead of the precooked bacon, I haven’t tried but it would give you a longer shelf life then the bacon.    


Beef Stroganoff

 Jar Directions:  Layer ingredients in a quart-sized jar, shaking the dry powder ingredients into the bulkier items. Top with an oxygen (300 cc) packet for longer-term storage add new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring, OR seal with a food saver.  Cover with a new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring. 

*All of the ingredients will fit in the jar, if you are having trouble getting them to fit simply tap the bottom of the jar on a hard surface until the contents settle.

Cooking Directions:  In a large saucepan bring 5 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add contents of jar and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes to thicken.

Shopping List for 12  Jars of
Beef Stroganoff
For 1 Jar of
Beef Stroganoff
2 pantry cans Thrive Béchamel Sauce
1 pantry can Thrive Espagnole Gravy
1 # 10 can Thrive Sour Cream Powder (you’ll have extra)
1 pantry can Thrive Beef Bouillon
1 #10 can Thrive  freeze dried Roast Beef 
1 # 10 can Thrive Mushrooms (FD) optional
1 spice can Thrive Salad Seasoning
1/2 cup Thrive Béchamel Sauce
2 T. Thrive Espagnole Gravy
1/2 cup Thrive Sour Cream Powder
2 T. Thrive Beef Bouillon
¼ cup Thrive Onions (FD)
1 cup Thrive Cooked Roast Beef (FD)
2 1/2 cups Thrive Egg Noodle Pasta
1/3 cup Thrive Mushrooms (FD) optional, can use more.
1 tsp Thrive Chef’s Choice Seasoning Blend
1 Tablespoon Thrive Salad Seasoning





Burrito Bowls
What’s a Burrito Bowl?  It a burrito you eat in a bowl with no tortilla.  You could always use this as burrito filling, but it is delicious without the tortilla.   Yields 5 1 cup servings

 Jar Directions:  Layer ingredients in a quart-sized jar, shaking the dry powder ingredients into the bulkier items. Top with an oxygen (300 cc) packet for longer-term storage add new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring, OR seal with a food saver.  Cover with a new canning lid and hand-tighten the metal ring. 

*All of the ingredients will fit in the jar, if you are having trouble getting them to fit simply tap the bottom of the jar on a hard surface until the contents settle.

Cooking Directions:  Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in a large sauce pan.  Add contents of jar and sauté for 30 seconds.   Be careful don’t burn it.  Add 5 cups water and simmer 5 min. Remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes.   Serve with your favorite Mexican toppings.  We like; cheddar cheese, freshly diced tomatoes diced green onions, sour cream and guacamole

Shopping List for 12  Jars of
Burrito Bowls
For 1 Jar of
Burrito Bowls
1 pantry can freeze dried onions
1 #10 can instant rice (white or brown)
1 #10 can  instant beans (black or pinto)
6 teaspoon of garlic powder
6 teaspoon of chili powder
12 teaspoon of cumin
1 pantry can Thrive chicken bouillon

1  cup freeze dried chicken slices
1/4 cup freeze dried onions
1 cup instant rice (white or brown)
½ cup Thrive tomato sauce powder
1 cup instant beans (black or pinto)
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 Tablespoon chicken bouillon