It’s easy to create maximum flavour with minimum fuss using this budget-friendly pantry item
A packet of French onion soup mix is the perfect flavour booster. It’s a low-cost and convenient staple to have on hand whenever you need it. Here, I have chosen some of my favourite ways to pump up the flavour with recipes that come in at under $5 per serve.
“Don’t tell anybody, but one of my culinary secret weapons comes in a sachet and costs just 45 cents! It’s incredibly versatile and I use it in all sorts of recipes, whether it’s to whip up a quick dip when friends pop by for drinks on a Friday night, or to add extra yumminess to a savoury side dish or hearty main course.
It’s Woolworths French onion soup mix, and I always keep a few sachets in the pantry. Its umami flavour (that rich savouriness you get in ingredients such as cheese, mushrooms and soy sauce) really takes a simple recipe to ultimate tastiness. The recipes here are proof and after you’ve tried them I’m sure French onion soup mix will become your secret weapon, too – just keep it to yourself!”
– Claire
01
French onion beef burgers
I love using spice mixes when I’m cooking because they’re a quick and convenient way to add instant flavour. I also love a homemade burger; they’re so much better than takeaway and much cheaper, too. Here, adding a sachet of French onion soup mix to beef mince is my instant budget-friendly flavour booster. Plus, you don’t need to slice an onion, so you’ve got all the taste without the tears!
02
French onion potato bake
I love serving this super-flavoursome potato bake with a slow-roasted shoulder of lamb or roast chook. It also makes a perfect side for a barbecue. If you don’t have fresh thyme, you could use a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 2 teaspoons dried oregano or mixed herbs instead. It’s important to allow the potato bake to stand for at least 10 minutes once it comes out of the oven, as that will allow the bake to set and make it easier to cut into portions.
03
Air-fryer French onion chicken bites
I love this budget-friendly “fakeaway”. It’s simple to make and disappears in minutes every time I serve it up – to kids and adults alike! The French onion soup mix gives these crunchy, tender little chicken bites their more-ish flavour – it’s my version of ’secret herbs and spices’! For maximum crispiness, don’t overload the air-fryer basket. Cooking in batches with fewer pieces of chicken will give you the best result. And if anyone isn’t keen on chilli, simply serve the sour cream and sriracha sauce in separate serving bowls.
04
Slow-cooker apricot chicken
French onion soup mix is an essential ingredient in this Aussie family favourite. It adds just the right amount of savouriness to balance the sweetness of the apricot and brings out the flavour of the chicken. I sometimes swap out the couscous for steamed rice, but also love serving this with fluffy mashed potato. The same goes for the broccolini – any steamed green veggies work well, but you could serve it with a crisp leafy salad instead.
05
French onion meatball pasta
This super-quick and easy recipe is a weeknight dream after a long day at work. Feel free to use any style of short pasta that you’ve got in the pantry. Making meatballs out of sausages is such a simple shortcut, too – I’ve tried this recipe with pork sausages and they also work a treat. I often serve this with a rocket and tomato salad for a fresh, colourful contrast.
06
Cauliflower & French onion cheesy cobs
These adorable individual cobs make delicious appetisers to serve with drinks or as a starter for a dinner party. You can use any style of crusty rolls you like as long as they’re sturdy enough to hold that luscious cauliflower-cheese filling. I always line my baking tray with baking paper first; it just makes everything easier to clean!
07
French onion dip
Despite its retro reputation, there’s a reason French onion dip remains a favourite. It’s delicious and so quick and simple to make. Plus, you can dip whatever you have lying around in the crisper and cupboard. I’ll often use a combination of veggies – such as capsicum, cucumber and carrot – cut into batons alongside toasted bread slices cut into fingers. I’ve also served the dip as part of a larger platter, with olives, smoked salmon, crackers and cornichons.