This Homemade Chili Seasoning strikes the perfect balance between spicy, sweet, and smoky for a delicious bowl of chili you’ll crave again and again. Made without any unnecessary ingredients, this homemade spice blend recipe is easily customizable to suit your tastes. Try it with chili, tacos, grilled meats, eggs, and more.
One of the easiest ways to take your chili to the next level is to use your own chili seasoning blend.
Not only does homemade chili seasoning taste fresher and more flavorful, but it can also be customized to suit your personal taste preferences.
Plus, by making chili seasoning from scratch, you avoid the unnecessary ingredients and fillers, like sugars, starches, and excess sodium, often found in store-bought packets.
Today, I’m walking you through how to make the best homemade chili seasoning, including which ingredients to use, tips that will guarantee it stays fresher for longer, and some of my favorite ways to use this easy chili seasoning recipe.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy- If you're new to cooking from scratch, making homemade spice blends is a great place to start. They're quick, easy, and fun to make!
- Flavorful- No seasoning packet can compare to the flavor of a fresh, homemade spice blend.
- Customizable- One of the best parts of making your own homemade chili seasoning from scratch is that it's easily customizable. Adjust the saltiness, spiciness, and other ingredients to suit your tastes.
- Budget-Friendly- Making your own seasoning blend can be more cost-effective than buying pre-packaged versions, especially if you buy spices in bulk.
- No Unnecessary Ingredients- Avoid added ingredients and fillers, such as anti-caking agents, sugar, and flour, often found in seasoning packets.
- Great for Gifting- Homemade spice blends make a fun and creative edible gift you can share with family and friends.
Ingredient Notes
Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.
- Chili Powder- The foundational flavor for classic chili, chili powder has a warm, earthy flavor with a mild heat.
- Cumin- Warm, pungent, earthy, and slightly citrusy, cumin adds depth to chili seasoning and pairs well with chili powder.
- Onion Powder- Onion powder adds a sweet onion flavor to the chili seasoning.
- Smoked Paprika- Smoky and mildly spicy with a hint of sweetness, smoked paprika rounds out the flavor profile of this chili seasoning.
- Kosher Salt- Enhances the flavor of the other spices. Opt for kosher salt since it does not contain added ingredients like table salt often does.
- Garlic Powder- Lends a savory garlic flavor to the chili seasoning.
- Black Pepper- Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper- Gives the chili seasoning a spicy kick. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to suit your tolerance for spicy foods.
🌱 Sustainability Tip: Try making your own spices from scratch! Garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper are fun and easy to make at home.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few ways you can try customizing this easy chili seasoning recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.
Substitutions
- Chili Powder- A combination of paprika and cayenne pepper can be used to replicate the flavor and spice of chili powder.
- Cumin- Ground coriander has a similar flavor profile to cumin, although it's not exactly the same.
- Onion Powder- Swap onion powder for one tablespoon of dried onion flakes.
- Smoked Paprika- Replace smoked paprika with hot paprika, sweet paprika, or additional chili powder.
- Kosher Salt- Substitute kosher salt with coarse ground sea salt or table salt. If using table salt, start with half the amount called for in the recipe and adjust to taste.
- Garlic Powder- Use one teaspoon of dried minced garlic in place of garlic powder.
- Black Pepper- Swap black pepper for white pepper to give the chili seasoning a slightly different flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper- Red pepper flakes can be used in place of cayenne pepper. For less heat, use more chili powder or smoked paprika.
Variations
- Chipotle- Substitute some or all of the chili powder with chipotle powder for a smokier, spicier flavor profile.
- Chili Lime- Add dehydrated lime zest to give the chili seasoning a pop of citrus flavor.
- Herbed- Dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or basil can give the chili seasoning an additional layer of flavor.
- Sweet- Adding brown sugar and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg can give the chili seasoning a sweeter flavor profile.
- Flour- While many store-bought chili seasoning packets contain flour for thickening, this homemade blend skips it. If desired, add one tablespoon of all-purpose flour to achieve a thicker consistency in your dishes.
Equipment Notes
Here are some notes on any special equipment I used to make this recipe.
- Spice Jar- A small glass jar or food-grade plastic container with an airtight seal works best for maintaining freshness. Ensure the container is clean and completely dry before adding the spices.
- Labels (optional)- Use labels to mark your homemade spice blends with the date they were prepared to keep track of their freshness.
- Spice Grinder (optional)- For the freshest-tasting tasting chili seasoning, consider grinding whole spices using a spice grinder.
How to Make Homemade Chili Seasoning
Here is how to make chili seasoning from scratch.
Step 1: Prepare the seasoning. Combine all ingredients in a small jar or airtight container. Seal and shake well to blend evenly.
Step 2: Store and use. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Use in chili, tacos, soups, stews, or as a meat rub.
This homemade chili seasoning equals one store-bought packet, perfect for a 6-serving batch of chili with one pound of ground meat.
Tips for Success
Make this easy homemade chili seasoning blend successfully the first time using these helpful kitchen tips.
- Choose the right container. Use a glass jar or food-grade plastic storage container to maintain optimal freshness and flavor.
- Use fresh spices. Older spices probably won't have much flavor. For the best chili seasoning, use fresh, high-quality spices.
- Avoid moisture. Ensure all equipment and containers are completely dry to prevent clumping.
- Store properly. Store your homemade chili seasoning mix in a cool, dark place and avoid exposure to heat or moisture.
- Label and date. Consider labeling the container with the preparation date for easy tracking of freshness.
- Get creative. Chili seasoning isn't just for chili! Try it in tacos, soups, stews, or as a rub for grilled meats.
- Customize. Feel free to adjust the quantities of spices to suit your taste preferences.
Troubleshooting
- Clumping- If the seasoning clumps, it's likely due to exposure to moisture. Ensure all equipment and containers are completely dry before blending or storing.
- Lacks Flavor- If the seasoning lacks flavor, it might be due to using older or stale spices. Always use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results.
- Too Spicy- Add more of the other ingredients to dilute the spiciness. Reduce or eliminate the cayenne pepper in your next batch of seasoning for chili if it's too spicy.
- Saltiness- Adjust the amount of salt to suit your personal taste preference and diet restrictions. Omit the salt entirely for a salt-free chili seasoning.
How to Use Homemade Chili Seasoning
Don't limit this homemade chili seasoning to just chili! It's a versatile blend that can be used to spice up a variety of your favorite dishes.
From classic chili to chicken tacos, Mexican-inspired dishes naturally pair well with chili spices. Try it with stovetop beef chili, turkey pumpkin chili, shredded chicken tacos, grilled shrimp tacos, and ground beef nachos.
Use this chili mix as a meat rub for grilling, roasting, or searing meats and seafood. It's perfect for grilled steak tips, chicken breasts, shrimp skewers, pan-seared chicken, and whole roasted chicken.
Finally, use this homemade chili spice blend to season a variety of other dishes such as cilantro lime rice, roasted potato wedges, roasted Brussels sprouts, scrambled eggs, southwestern frittata, and more.
How to Store
- Room Temperature- Store homemade chili seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
- Refrigerator & Freezer- It is not recommended to store spices in the refrigerator or freezer. This can introduce moisture, which may lead to clumping and degrade the quality of the spices over time.
Make Ahead
This homemade chili seasoning is perfect for making ahead because it has such a long shelf life.
In fact, I suggest making a larger batch by doubling or tripling the recipe. This way, you'll always have your custom chili blend ready to enhance your favorite dishes whenever you need it.
🎁 Edible Gift Idea: Gifting a small jar of homemade chili seasoning is a unique and thoughtful present for special occasions like holidays and birthdays.
Frequently Asked Questions
This homemade chili seasoning makes 4 tablespoons, is equivalent to one store-bought packet, and is just right for one pound of ground meat.
To reduce spiciness, you can add more of the other ingredients in the recipe. You can also dilute the spiciness by adding dairy to the dish you're using the chili seasoning in.
Spices lose potency over time. A good rule of thumb is to give them a sniff - if they lack a strong aroma, it might be time to replace them.
Yes, this homemade chili seasoning mix recipe is gluten-free since it does not contain flour. However, it's recommended to double-check the labels of individual spice containers to ensure there hasn't been any cross-contamination during production.
Let's Connect!
Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via email at [email protected].
My Favorite Chili Recipes
📖 Recipe
Homemade Chili Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ tablespoon cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small jar or airtight container. Seal and shake well to blend evenly.
- Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Use in chili, tacos, soups, stews, or as a meat rub.
- Note: This homemade chili seasoning equals one store-bought packet, perfect for a 6-serving batch of chili with one pound of ground meat.
Notes
- Use fresh spices. Older spices probably won't have much flavor. For the best chili seasoning, use fresh, high-quality spices.
- Avoid moisture. Ensure all equipment and containers are completely dry to prevent clumping.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to 6 months. Avoid exposure to heat or moisture, as this can affect its shelf life.
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