DIY Chili Seasoning: Homemade Chili Seasoning is made up of the perfect blend of cumin, paprika and chili powder and will pack a whole lot of flavor into your chili recipes.
Nothing is better than a good bowl of homemade chili on a cold day–am I right, or what?!
I have a love for chilis of all kinds, from Vegetarian Chili to Classic Beef Chili, and I can tell you my family has at least one version of chili per week in the colder months.
I was stunned to learn that many people use packets of chili seasonings in their chili recipes. There is absolutely NO need to purchase that chili seasoning packet. It is filled with all sorts of additives.
Chili Seasoning, along with other Homemade Spice Blends, can easily be made at home. In fact, I bet you have all the ingredients in your spice cabinet right now.
How to Make Homemade Chili Seasoning
Okay, brace yourselves–this is tricky. You dump and mix–LOL! It could not be easier to make chili seasoning mix. But the spices you choose are crucial to the flavor of your spice blend.
Chili Spices
- Cumin
- Chili Powder (ancho or regular)
- Cayenne Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Salt
- Pepper
I am heavy on chili powder in my seasoning blend, but also like to add in a bit of cumin for a warming depth of flavor and a pinch of cayenne for heat. Just like any good chili recipe, this chili seasoning has onion and garlic powder to help build a solid base of flavor.
My recipe for Chili seasoning is pretty basic, but feel free to add in dried oregano for a peppery zing.
I like to make a large batch of this Chili powder, store in glass jar and use 2 tablespoons of the mixture each time I am making a batch of chili.
Important to note when making homemade chili seasoning: use fresh spices when making any homemade spice blend, for optimum flavor. If you spices have been sitting in your spice cabinet for over 6 months, it is time to toss them. If they are several years old, be prepared to be stunned with how much better your homemade meals taste with fresh spices.
Homemade Chili Seasoning is also great used in:
- Chicken Chili
- Wine Braised Chili
- Lentil Chili
- Butternut Squash Chili
- Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili
- But don’t just limit homemade chili mix to chili recipes, you can also use this blend on oven baked potatoes for a spicy kick, grilled corn for a fun summer treat, and in burgers for added flavor.
Chili Seasoning Recipe
DIY Chili Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Combine and store in sealed container.
Notes
Be sure to also check out all my homemade spice blends.
Featured on Meal Plan Monday.
Kristen Chidsey
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My family loves this seasoning. Use it on tacos too.
I love hearing that Matthew. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
How much chili meat do u need for this amount of seasons
Hi Susan! I use this for 2 pounds of ground meat. Enjoy!
Made our third pot of chili this past weekend using this chili seasoning recipe. Love it! Spicy, but not too hot. Really good!
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review Terri! I am so glad you enjoy this blend so much!
Morning, Kristen!
Thanks for the great Recipe!!
And sometimes I do add Paprika and/or Mexican Oregano, too.
Donald
Great additions Donald. I am glad you enjoy.
I WAS a seasoning packet user but no more!! My husband loves chili made with this seasoning. He didnt add a thing. Last time I didnt have cumin so I used paprika instead. This time I’ll use both. Thanks for the recipe
Hi Deb! I am so glad you and your husband enjoy this chili seasoning! I typically don’t use paprika in this recipe, but if you want to add it, I would add in 1 teaspoon. Enjoy!
Holy moly! 2461 mg of sodium? Is this based per serving? That’s more than a daily value of salt!!! Is this an error? Or is this correct?
Hi Terry! This is for the entire spice mixture, not per serving.
Thank you for clarifying! This makes a lot more sense. I use no salt or low sodium any thing. I’ve never used a premade packet for chili (or anything for that matter), and was looking for something to mix up myself. I’ll leave out the cayenne, I find it too hot. Otherwise, looks yummy!
Absolutely! I try to keep our sodium intake low as well and often cut the salt in half for my own preference.
I didn’t have my regular mccormick package and found this on the web. Glad I did as I won the company chili cook off competition today. Thanks for posting it. SG
Congratulations on winning the chili cook off🙌 I am so honored that my spice blend was a part of that recipe 🙂
hi! do you use ALL of this for 1 batch, (1 lb. of ground beef) chili? thanks!
Hi Jennifer! I use this for 2 pounds actually 🙂 I would use half the amount for only 1 pound of meat.
Best seasoning that I have come across so far.
YAY! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Kim 🙂
Much BETTER than the store bought prepackaged seasonings. And most people have all the seasonings in their pantry already. So it’s quick and easy-peasy! Give it a try!
I am so glad you found this to be as easy I do Sherry! Thanks for sharing your review!
Thank you for sharing!! This was perfect, keeper for sure!
I am so glad you enjoyed this spice combination Loni! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
This recipe was perfect. Even tastier than the packaged one I have been buying and I know exactly what is in it since the spices came from my own cabinet. Thank you!
I am so glad you enjoyed Stephanie! This is a staple in my kitchen for sure!
It was yummy! Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you enjoyed!
I’m confused. You mention oregano, but it’s not in the ingredients. Two alarm chili definitely has oregano.
Sorry for the confusion Linda. I don’t use oregano, but if you want that kick, add in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon.
I’m confused, do you use the whole recipe in a pot of chili? It seems like a lot.
I use 1-2 tablespoons per batch of chili and store the rest for future batches.
I haven’t tried this yet, because I saw the sodium content and almost flipped. I have to watch my sodium intake because of high blood pressure. I just recently decided to look for a chili seating recipe, when I came across yours. 2461 mg of sodium is more than I need in a day. Can you tell me why its so much with only 1 teaspoon of salt?
Hi Pam! That is the amount of sodium in the ENTIRE recipe–so per serving it would be very small. 1 teaspoon of salt is about 2,325 milligrams of sodium, a teaspoon of kosher salt has roughly 1,800 milligrams. So you can use kosher salt to take the sodium down a bit. You can also omit the sodium completely and just use the spices, which will be very flavorful. I hope you enjoy!
This looks wonderful! I always look for alternatives to ready-made! If I am using 2 pounds of meat for this recipe if the right amount? Thank you in advance!
Hi Keri! I really like flavorful chili, so personally I would double this recipe–or make a large batch and then use 1 tablespoon seasoning for every 1 pound meat you use. Enjoy!!!
I’m making this for Christmas gifts.
What a wonderful idea Mary Jane! I give my Seasoned Salt as a gift, I need to do Chili Seasoning as well. Thanks for the idea! Merry Christmas!
Hello, I usually make my chili in a larger oval crockpot and I was wondering if doubling your recipe would be enough seasoning for that size. I usually use 2 Mcormick packets. I’m finishing the whole30 and I want to continue to eat cleaner. Thank you
Hi Leila! I love that you are eating cleaner! This recipe will help for sure. I would double this recipe to use for your chili. Since you are used to packets, you may find you need to increase the salt a bit. I would wait until AFTER the chili cooks to be sure you don’t over salt. Enjoy!
Wowowow – I tripled the recipe and put it in seasoning jar. ♡ ♡ ♡ how simple it is. I can use this as a base for anything and no more reaching for a multiple containers. I know that this was probably the premise Mrs. Dash was going for… but, I liked this way more. I want to buy more seasoning jars now. Thank you!
YAY!!!! Roseanne!! I love my seasoning mixes and I am so glad you are enjoying them as much as we do.
Haven’t tried this yet, but my mom, and now myself, have always used French’s Chili-o mix and everyone raves about our chili. I sure would like to figure out how to actually make it myself!!!
I hope that this recipe hits the spot!
This is a great idea. I am dying to try this.
Enjoy!
I made this last week ready for a slow cooker chilli. It was just perfect!
Love to make spice blends at home so I can monitor the salt (and sugar!)
Great recipe 😀
YAY!! So happy you enjoyed Claire.