Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (2024)

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Save money and make Homemade Chili Seasoning. Not only is it super easy but it tastes amazing and takes just a few minutes.

Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (1)

Just like my homemade taco seasoning, I have been making homemade chili seasoning for a while. I like to make a big batch at one time so I will have it ready to go when I am making chili.

This Homemade Chili Seasoning would taste amazing in Crock Pot Chili.

Table of Contents

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • Chili Spices Variations
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Recipe Tips
  • How Much Seasoning to use?
  • Chili Recipes To Make
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Easy Homemade Seasoning Recipes
  • Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

This chili seasoning mix recipe taste so much better than chili seasoning packet from the grocery store. Making homemade spice mixes at home allows you to adjust the spices to what you prefer.

Adding homemade chili seasoning to our favorite chili recipe is our best secret ingredient, but many recipes have their own. Some people add in cocoa powder, beer, and even cinnamon for a perfect blend of spices.

There are many ingredients to add to your chili seasoning blend to enhance the depth of flavor. The pantry ingredients are simple and it saves you money by making it at home.

Ingredients

Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (2)
  • Chili Powder
  • Ground Cayenne Pepper
  • Kosher Salt
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Salt or Garlic Powder
  • Ground Cumin
  • Ground Black Pepper

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Chili Spices Variations

Feel free to add or substitute the spices ingredients to what you prefer. Here are some suggestions.

  • Oregano
  • Sea Salt
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Red Pepper Flakes

Step by Step Instructions

  • Step 1 – Mix all ingredients together including the salt and pepper. It is that easy. Get your kids involved to help.
Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (3)
  • Step 2 – Store in an air tight container in a cool dark place. This recipe makes 12 pots of chili.
Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (4)

I told you it was super easy. Can you believe how simple that was? If you can mix a few ingredients together, you can make this for sure!

Recipe Tips

  • Fresh Ingredients – Before combining the chili spice blends, make sure to use fresh spices. This helps to add flavor to your batch of chili.
  • Combining Ingredients – To make sure there are no clumps when mixing ingredients, we recommend combining with a whisk.
Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (5)

How Much Seasoning to use?

It really depends on the recipe and the size of the batch that you are making. But usually we use 2 tablespoons per 1 pounds of meat to make chili.

I usually give my chili that I making about half way cooking a taste to see if it needs a little more seasoning. A little goes a long way and your chili will taste amazing!

Chili Recipes To Make

Use this gluten free Homemade Chili Seasoning to make these easy recipes. This seasoning is great for chili but you can also use it as a taco seasoning or even sprinkle to roast some vegetables.

  • Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili Recipe
  • Crock Pot Chili Mac Recipe
  • One Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Chili Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Frito Chili Pie Recipe
  • Easy Crock Pot Cowboy Chili
  • Easy Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chili Powder?

Chili powder is a blend of spices. So when you are making a ground turkey or ground beef chili, you can essentially use just one seasoning. We like to add other spices to enhance the flavor. Make sure to check the label when purchasing chili powder as there are many different heat levels.

Can Taco Seasoning be Substituted for Chili Seasoning?

You can substitute chili seasoning for taco seasoning. The spice blend is very similar but taco seasoning may have a slight smoky flavor. But if this is all you have, it will work as a great substitute.

How to Store Leftovers

Store the leftover homemade chili seasoning mix in a spice jar or an airtight container. If stored properly this seasoning will last about 6 months.

More Easy Homemade Seasoning Recipes

  • Homemade Italian Seasoning
  • Blackened Homemade Seasoning
  • Lawry’s Seasoned Salt Recipe
  • Homemade Fajita Seasoning
  • Homemade Steak Seasoning
  • Steak Rub

We love hearing from you. If you make this homemade chili seasoning recipe, please let us know by leaving us a comment.

Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (6)

Review

Pin Print

Homemade Chili Seasoning

5 from 24 votes

Making chili? Try this easy homemade chili seasoning. It tastes better than store bought and costs way less. Make this homemade chili seasoning today!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 12

Cuisine American

Course Mixes and Seasonings

Calories 6

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup chili powder
  • 1/4 cup ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup salt
  • 2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together.

  • Use 2 tablespoons of this homemade chili seasoning to make your chili for 1 lb of ground beef.

  • Store in an air tight container in a cool dark place.

  • This recipe makes 12 pots of chili.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

This homemade chili seasoning is it just as convenient as having packaged chili seasoning, but it is much more frugal. And might I add, so tasty!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 6kcal, Carbohydrates 1g, Sodium 2940mg, Potassium 26mg, Vitamin A 175IU, Vitamin C 0.6mg, Calcium 8mg, Iron 0.1mg

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About the Author

Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (15)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chilli seasoning made of? ›

Stir Ingredients Together: In a small bowl stir together chili powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Store: Store in an airtight container and use for all of your favorite chili recipes!

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What can I use if I don't have chili seasoning? ›

Chili Powder Alternatives
  • Paprika.
  • Ancho chile powder.
  • Cayenne powder.
  • Chipotle powder.
  • Crushed red chiles.
  • Hot sauce.
  • Harissa Paste.

What spice gives chili its flavor? ›

Spices and Herbs (ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder, ground cumin, oregano, ground coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon): Gives the chili its distinctive flavor and heat.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato sauce is not a strong a taste as tomato paste. Also, sauce will increase the liquid content of your chili ever so slightly. Tomato paste has a more full, rich, tomato taste and smell. Using either one is appropriate, but you will need to tweak your seasonings to suit your personal tastes, anyway.

What makes the best chili meat? ›

When making chili, former Southern Living Test Kitchen Director, Robby Melvin, recommends using a mix of ground chuck and ground sirloin. "It's the best of both worlds," he says. "You get a balanced lean-to-fat ratio from the chuck and the hearty, beefy leanness from the sirloin."

What does tomato paste do for chili? ›

Mix in tomato paste: Using tomato paste as a thickening agent will give your final bowl of chili a tangy flavor. Add one can of tomato paste to your pot of chili, stirring the mixture and letting it cook on medium heat for about thirty minutes. 8.

How to make chili taste homemade? ›

Make your own spice blend

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Does sugar make chili taste better? ›

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Much like adding chili powder and other common chili spices, cinnamon is a super versatile spice that adds warmth without the heat to Firecracker chili.

How do you spice up bland chili? ›

You can use sauce, diced, whole, even rotel for some kick. Add garlic, cumin, and probably more salt. Chipotle chili powder is really nice in chili.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

What is McCormick chili powder made of? ›

McCormick® Culinary® Dark Chili Powder is made of chili pepper, cumin, salt, oregano, and garlic with moderate heat, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor. Specially made for chefs to inspire extraordinary menus and deliver consistent recipes.

What is the difference between chili powder and chili seasoning? ›

Is chili powder the same thing as chili seasoning? No. Chili powder is made with ground chilis and sometimes the addition of paprika, cumin and Mexican Oregano. Chili seasoning is a combination of 8 spices used to make chili or other recipes that call for chili seasoning.

What are the ingredients in Lawry's chili seasoning? ›

ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), SPICES (INCLUDING CHILI PEPPER), SALT, ONION, GARLIC, COCOA POWDER PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, AND NATURAL FLAVOR.

Is chili powder just paprika? ›

The main difference between paprika and chili powder is paprika is a singular chile while chili powder is often a combination of chiles as well as other ingredients such as cumin and garlic powder.

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