Homemade Chili Seasoning is the secret to creating the ultimate homemade chili! Made with the perfect blend of dried spices, this chili seasoning blend adds ultimate flavor without excess sodium or preservatives found in store-bought blends.
This recipe for chili seasoning is suited to chili of all kinds. From Instant Pot Chili to Slow Cooker Beef & Bean Chili to Lentil Chili to Butternut Squash Chili, this seasoning blend makes an award-winning pot of chili.
Why Homemade Chili Seasoning?
When it comes to spice blends, like Taco Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, and Chili Seasoning, homemade is the way to go!
Chili Seasoning, like my other recipes for spice blends, can easily be made at home for pennies.
Not only is homemade chili seasoning a money saver, but YOU control the quality of ingredients, added sodium, and the level of spice.
And the flavor? This chili seasoning blend tastes a million times better than those store-bought packets. In fact, several readers have shared this seasoning blend has won them chili cook-off competitions. It is that good!
Not to mention, you leave the preservatives and additives that are found in store-bought seasoning packets on the shelf!
Instead of relying on store-bought packets of chili seasonings to create a delicious pot of chili, make this chili seasoning blend and be prepared to lick your bowl clean.
Spices in Chili Seasoning
My recipe for chili seasoning is pretty basic and I am willing to bet you have most of the spices on hand to whip it up right now.
This seasoning blend is heavy on chili powder and rounded out with cumin for a warming depth of flavor and a pinch of cayenne for heat. I add onion and garlic powder to help build a solid base of flavor, as garlic and onions are a must in a good chili.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder is made up of cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and ground chiles. Ancho chile powder is made from ground poblano peppers. Either will work in this recipe, but keep in mind the ancho chile powder will give the chili a bit more kick. in terms of both flavor and heat.
- Cumin
- Cayenne Pepper: Just a tiny bit to add a level of heat and wake up your palate, but it does not overwhelm the chili with heat. Adjust or omit depending on your preference
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Salt: I prefer using kosher salt as it has less sodium content per teaspoon than iodized table salt. You can also adjust the level of added salt as needed per your dietary restrictions.
- Pepper
∗ important to remember ∗
For the optimum flavor, use dried spices less than 6 months old when making any homemade spice blend, as spices lose their flavor the longer they sit in your spice cabinet. You may be stunned by how much better your homemade meals taste using "fresh" dried spices.
Optional Spices for Chili Seasoning
As I stated, my chili blend is really quite basic, yet I find it to be just perfect in terms of flavor. That said, you may want to add the following ingredients to customize this seasoning for chili to suit your own taste. That is another benefit of using a homemade chili seasoning blend!
- Dried Oregano: Add up to ½ teaspoon of dried oregano for a peppery zing.
- Cocoa Powder: For a rich undertone, add up to 1 tablespoon of plain cocoa powder, not hot cocoa powder. The cocoa won't give your chili recipe a chocolate flavor, just a nice mellow, rich, earthy undertone.
- Paprika: Chili powder itself has added paprika, so I don't find it necessary to add it to my chili blend. However, using smoked paprika does add a nice smokey undertone to your chili. Add up to 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to this spice blend.
- Masa Harina: to thicken your chili and add a bit of sweet, earthy corn flavor, stirring in a masa harina slurry towards the end of cooking your chili is a great option. So this is not something you want to add to your chili spice blend but add it towards the end of cooking to add flavor. Simply combine 1 to 2 tablespoons of the masa harina with ¼ cup of water until smooth. Whisk into your prepared chili and simmer for 5-10 minutes before serving.
How to Make Chili Seasoning
Making this chili seasoning blend is as easy as mixing the ingredients together until everything is well combined.
Instructions for Large Batch
As written, this recipe makes the equivalent of one chili seasoning packet for one batch of chili. I recommend making a large batch to keep on hand to use whenever you are craving chili.
To make a large batch of chili seasoning, or the equivalent of 8 packets, mix the following ingredients together:
- ½ cup chili powder
- 2-½ tablespoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons onion powder
- 2-½ tablespoons salt
- 4 teaspoons pepper
Store this mixture in a pint-sized glass jar for up to 6 months in the pantry or spice jar. When ready to make chili, use 2 tablespoons of this chili seasoning blend for every batch of chili.
Storage
Be sure to store homemade chili seasoning in an airtight jar or container, like a ball jar or small spice jar, so that it will not absorb flavors from other spices in your spice cabinet.
This chili seasoning will last for up to 6 months when stored in an airtight container in the pantry. While certainly safe to consume after 6 months, the flavor will begin to lose potency.
How to Use Chili Seasoning
Use this chili seasoning blend just as you would any packet of chili seasoning. One recipe is just the right amount to add for 1 standard recipe for chili, or chili recipes calling for 2 pounds of meat.
I love using this chili spice blend in the following chili recipes:
- Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Vegetarian 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 burgers for added flavor.
If you tried this recipe for homemade chili seasoning, please leave a comment and review below.
Homemade Chili Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine spices until evenly mixed together.
- Store for up to 6 months in a sealed container in the pantry.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- ½ cup chili powder
- 2-½ tablespoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons onion powder
- 2-½ tablespoons salt
- 4 teaspoons pepper
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.
C sanford
It was yummy! Thanks for sharing!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed!
Linda
I'm confused. You mention oregano, but it's not in the ingredients. Two alarm chili definitely has oregano.
Kristen Chidsey
Sorry for the confusion Linda. I don't use oregano, but if you want that kick, add in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon.
Cindy
I’m confused, do you use the whole recipe in a pot of chili? It seems like a lot.
Kristen Chidsey
I use 1-2 tablespoons per batch of chili and store the rest for future batches.
Pam
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?
Kristen Chidsey
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!
Keri
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!
Kristen Chidsey
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!!!
Mary Jane Boone
I’m making this for Christmas gifts.
Kristen Chidsey
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!
Leila
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
Kristen Chidsey
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!
Roseanne
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!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!!! Roseanne!! I love my seasoning mixes and I am so glad you are enjoying them as much as we do.
Karen Quinn
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!!!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope that this recipe hits the spot!
April
This is a great idea. I am dying to try this.
Kristen Chidsey
Enjoy!
Claire
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 😀
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!! So happy you enjoyed Claire.