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.
ADAM
I found your recipe while looking at keto friendly chili recipes. Perfect blend of spices to make up for the lack of beans and completely adjustable to fit your preference of heat.
Wendy
Superb! The only changes I made were to double the amount of cayenne and garlic powder.
Kristen Chidsey
Happy to hear you enjoyed!
Sharonda Vizcaino
Great chili blend seasoning, thank you for sharing and for using ingredients that most people have in their seasoning cabinet.
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome Sharonda!
Karmiene
Simple and perfect proportions of spices in the mix. 👍🏼 Exactly what I was looking for.
Carmen Reid
Hi,
I usually make chili with a pound of beans and a pound of beef. Wonder how much of the mix I should use...? I do use to packets of seasoning mix so maybe I will try 4 tablespoons. What are your thoughts.
Thanks for the recipe. I made a batch x4 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
I would personally only use 2 tablespoons but if you are used to 2 packets of seasoning you may find you need more.
Jim Honey
I would have thought a serious 'DIY' chili seasoning would NOT call for chili powder but rather, a mix of various peppers to constitute a chili powder replacement.
Possibly some mix of ancho, guajillo, puya, or arbol chiles. How is this recipe any more DIY than any other chili recipe?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jim. I am sorry this recipe disappointed you. This is intended to be a replacement for packs of seasoning mix people purchase--and something easy for anyone to make. It helps to control the sodium and additives.
Sheri
Loved it!!
Sheri
Loved this mixture BYW my name is Sheri also… I look forward to making this chili throughout the winter months. The spices are a perfect balance!!!
Brenda Lafferty
Awesome!!!!’ I always overpaid for packets but this was perfect!!!!! Thank you!!! Thank You!!!!!!
Phil
Jim, I bet you are a lot of fun at parties.
Mell
Lol that was pretty funny!
LRA
I am dead lmao Phil wins the internet for me today
Diane
Wow! There's several things that come to mind when thinking about your arrogant comment....but I will just say that as a mom, I think this recipe is just perfect!
Bill
Jim Honey, simply replace the "chili powder" with your choice of powdered dry capsicum and oregano, and you got it.
For a really accurate gluten free substitute for those chili seasoning packets, use this lady's recipe and add 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour rather than the traditional wheat flour or masa harina.
Sheri
Hi I want to make this with 1 pound of ground beef what would you recommend the amount of seasoning I would use for this?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Sheri! This blend is for 2 pounds of beef. I would suggest cutting in half or using 1 tablespoon. Enjoy!
Sheri
I saw that Kristen after I read down farther oops silly me but I absolutely loved it and will make this from now on for our chili thank you!
Annie
Plan on making some chili this week. I wanted a simple chili seasoning recipe. Can’t wait to try this! Thank you for sharing!!
Carmen
Loved it.
Made a big batch using a pound of dry beans and a pound of ground beef. Used a double recipe and it was PERFECT! Added the oregano too. So much better than the packets!!!!!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing Carmen! I love that you enjoyed this flavor!
Raquel
Used this tonight and it was fantastic! I usually use McCormick but I'm definitely using your recipe from now on. I didn't have any cayenne so I just sprinkled in some roasted red pepper flakes and it worked perfectly. You have changed my chili game -- thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! SO happy you enjoyed Raquel!
Kim
Followed the recipe exactly and it was fantastic!! I used 1 pound of ground beef and 1 tablespoon of this seasoning mix was perfect! Thank you!!
Kristen Chidsey
You are welcome! I am so glad you enjoyed!
Lori
Hi! Thank you for the recipe. One question--I have used Chugwater Chilis seasoning mix for a long time and really do like the flavor. I am needing a spice mix that DOES NOT have any flour/masa or other thickeners--just spices. Have you ever used the Chugwater Chili recipe, and if so, is your recipe close in taste? The only items they put in ingredients are: Red chili pepper, salt, masa, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, "and 6 other spices", which could be anything. I like the taste of this blend because it does NOT have a ton of cumin and not terribly spicy hot. Thank you so much!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Lori! I am sorry but I have never heard of Chugwater's mix, therefore I can't compare my recipe to theirs. I will say that sugar and masa would give the blend a different flavor. But I hope you try this blend and enjoy. You can always omit the cayenne pepper for less heat and cut the cumin in half.
Happy Gazoo
This. Is. Amazing! I've been making chili for years using the McCormick spice packets -- will never buy them again! The only change I made was I doubled the cayenne pepper because I have a spice lovers family. BTW - this is the best Chili I've ever made because of you. Thank you SO much for posting this and am so glad I found your recipe Blog. I look forward to trying more of your recipes. Have a great week!
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you so much for sharing how much you enjoyed this blend! I hope you find many more recipes to enjoy here.
Rhiannon
I am making chili tonight and am using this recipe because of the reviews! The spices listed are the ones I would use anyway, but more structured. i also use diced tomatoes with chilies in my chili, gives it a bit of a kick. Cant wait to try this!
Cyndie
I'm never buying chili seasoning packets again. Absolutely yummy
Cat
I use a generous amount of onion and garlic in my chili should I omit the powders or lower the amount.
Kristen Chidsey
I personally would keep it the same. I use a whole onion and several cloves of garlic and still find this seasoning to work well.
Anna
We use the mild packet, usually. Would I just leave out the cayenne pepper to get a mix that isn’t spicy at all? (My kids won’t eat anything that might possibly burn their tongues.)
Kristen Chidsey
I would omit the cayenne in your case. I hope you enjoy!
Jackie
Perfect combinations of spices! Since we have little children in the family, I used Smoked Paprika instead of the Cayenne Pepper. I have not used the prepackaged seasoning, but I Love this. Now its a staple in my pantry.
Joe Ahearne
Happy New Year, Kristen!
I’m ready to make a pot of chili, but all of the grocery stores I use have been out of the McCormick hot chili seasoning packets for over a month now. Amazon and eBay have them for over $5/packet, which is nuts. Please let me know how you would adjust your chili seasoning recipe to add some heat, to get it closer to what I’m looking for.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Stay safe. Stay well.
Joe, in Fort Worth
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Joe!! I would suggest increasing the cayenne pepper by 1/2 teaspoon and if you have chipotle chili powder, add a teaspoon of that as well. I hope that helps. Take care!
Jennifer S Dunn
I use McCormick too and I thought this was a good basic recipe that I could adjust a little for our family's taste. We like more Chili powder so I just added more and it was perfect. I suggest making a pot of chili and add this recipe, taste it and adjust, making note of what you do so you can make a jar of it. Way cheaper and just as yummy!
John, in Indiana
I know Joe... what's up with the Covid run on Hot Chili seasonings! I find regular seasoning, sometimes one marked 'mild', but haven't seen 'hot' available much since Covid started. I'm making chili today, and will be spicing it up by adding a little 'chipotle', and a half teaspoon 'cayenne' to my chili packets. I always do a big pot, with 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef, and once the beef is browned I use 2 packets of seasoning (used to use 1 hot and one regular seasoning), and a can of diced tomatoes, and maybe a small can of tomato sauce. Cheers!