This Homemade Chili Seasoning recipe has the perfect seasonings for your favorite chili recipes.
Next time you make a pot of chili scrap the seasoning packets and use this homemade chili seasoning mix. The chili seasoning mix ingredients have only natural flavor, no artificial ingredients or additives.
This perfect blend is a great addition to your favorite spices and making your own seasoning mixes is so gratifying.
Jump to:
Why make Chili Seasoning Mix
This may seem like a 'why not buy it' recipe. There are some reasons we like making our own:
- Personalize the flavor. Making your own blend lets you mix the spices to get the flavor you like best.
- Control the heat. With your own blend you can keep the flavors earthy and mild or dial up to medium heat.
- Avoid unnecessary additives. If you read the product label on a store bought chili seasoning packet you'll find everything from wheat flour (a non-starter if you are gluten-free), corn starch, citric acid to silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent). These aren't necessary when making your own chili seasonings.
- Available on demand. Your probably have the ingredients in your spice cabinet now. It's easy to whip up this blend and make a simple chili recipe (basic recipe shared below).
Recipe Ingredients Notes
Always start with fresh (not expired) spices for the best flavor results!
Chili powder. Regular chili powder can be used or a special version from a chili pepper like chipotle or ancho.
Cayenne pepper. This ingredient really drives the level of spicy heat. We've kept the amount low but if you like spicy chili increase the amount.
Black pepper. Use freshly ground if possible.
How to make homemade chili seasoning
Place all ingredients (chili powder, ground cumin, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and cayenne pepper) in a bowl or jar; stir to fully combine!
Variations
Like a smoky flavor? Add some smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is available in regular or hot which is spicy. We recommend sticking with regular.
Want to add some heat? Add some red pepper flakes or more cayenne pepper.
Cinnamon. A pinch of this secret ingredient adds more depth of flavor and goes will with the flavors in the chili mix.
How to use it
- Use to make homemade chili
- Sprinkle or rub on meats (steak, chicken, ribs) and vegetables before roasting or grilling
- Add it to soups
Fast Basic Chili Recipe
- 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey (choose lean)
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes OR 1 14.5-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans (or beans of choice), undrained
- Brown the meat in a large non-stick skillet and drain any excess fat.
- Add the seasoning mix, tomatoes and beans.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmering, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container in a cool location out of direct sunlight (your spice cabinet). Spices typically stay fresh for up to a couple years but will lose their flavor intensity. If you use it often refresh this mix every couple months for the strongest flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Chili powder is a single spice. Chili seasoning is a mixture of spices used when making a batch of chili to give it the earthy chili flavor.
More recipes you'll love!
Recipe
Chili Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk to fully combine.
- Store in a sealed glass jar in a cool location out of direct sunlight.
Notes
- 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey (choose lean)
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes OR 1 14.5-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans (or beans of choice), undrained
- Brown the meat in a large non-stick skillet and drain any excess fat.
- Add the seasoning mix (full recipe), tomatoes and beans.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmering, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
nancy says
great flavour and balance in this seasoning mix. i use it for everything!
Sara says
Great recipe! I love making spice blends but never thought to make this. I used your quick chili recipe and it was SO good! Thanks.
Allyson Zea says
This was perfect for my chili! Thank you so much
Kara says
Now that I'm doing keto, I can't have the sugar and starches found in a lot of store bought seasoning mixes. This one is perfect, and so easy to whip up!
Aimee Mars says
I love the idea of controlling the heat and personalizing the flavor. I actually prefer a chili with a hint of sweetness and I can do this by using your recipe. This is one I'm going to mix up and always keep in my pantry.
Pam says
Ive just started making my own seasoning mixes because the store bought ones have so much sodium. I hadn't found a good one for chili until now. Thank you for this!
Bruce says
I loved the idea of using it as a rub. Added it to some chicken I cooked in the air fryer and it was delicious. Keep the great recipes coming!
Beth says
I love it! I'm a big fan of making my own seasoning mixes because I can control the amount of salt in them. Some of those mixes seem like more salt than anything else.
Taylor says
Made a big batch of this to have on hand during the colder winter months. It has been perfect! Great for soups and even using as a dry rub on meats. It has such great flavor and was so easy to put together!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Perfect seasoning for chili and NO MSG that's a huge plus I am sharing this and pinning so I don't lose it great recipe!