Make the Best Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe from Scratch

A great chili seasoning recipe starts with a good base and this chili seasoning recipe can enhance any chili dish. Learn to make the best homemade chili seasoning recipe from scratch here.

What is Chili Seasoning?

Chili seasoning is a blend of 6-8 spices with chili powder being the main one. It is perfect for seasoning ground beef, turkey or chicken or used in vegetarian or vegan chilis. 

Much like homemade taco seasoning it can be made ahead of time and stored for future use. 

What Are the Ingredients in Chili Seasoning

As I mentioned chili powder is the first ingredient in this homemade chili seasoning recipe. But there’s also cumin, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. 

Optional spices you can add are: 

• oregano
• red chili pepper flakes
• paprika or smoke paprika 
• garlic powder
• chipotle chili pepper

Of course, you can add, eliminate or adjust the spices to your tastes. 

How to Make Homemade Chili Seasoning

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 2 Teaspoons Cumin
• 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Tips & Notes for This Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe

• If you want a bigger kick added to your seasoning, include ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper in your mix.
• Want a sweeter touch? Add a teaspoon of sugar.
• Want a stronger or bolder flavor? Add an extra Tablespoon of chili powder.
• You’ll want to taste this and adjust the seasonings to your preferences. Everyone likes it just a little differently, so start from here and if you like it, awesome, if not, tweak it just how you like it.
• Be sure to smash up any clumps in your seasoning so it’s nice and smooth.

How Do I Store the Chili Seasoning?

You can store your homemade chili seasoning in an air-tight container in your pantry or on a spice rack. Any sealed jar will do. But I love these little spice jars. 

If stored in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight, this chili spice mix will keep for 6 months to a year. Although it’s potency may diminish the longer it’s stored. 

Ways to Use Chili Seasoning

There are so many ways to use this chili seasoning recipe outside of the obvious chili. Here are a few ideas for where to start: 

• vegetarian slow cooker chili
• roasted veggies
• grilled vegetables
• mashed potatoes
• rotisserie chicken
• quick rice and beans

FAQ

How much chili seasoning should I use?

For a large pot of chili, use about 2 tablespoons of this homemade chili seasoning recipe. Adjust and add more or less to your own tastes, of course!

Are chili and taco seasoning the same?

They are very similar. But taco seasoning usually has a few additional ingredients, while chili seasoning will have more chili powder than taco seasoning. 

Is this chili seasoning recipe spicy? How can I make it spicy?

This is not a spicy chili seasoning. To make it spicier add more cayenne pepper or add some red pepper flakes. 

What are good store-bought chili seasonings?

I don’t buy store-bought chili spice mix. But if you want to skip making your own, try the McCormick Original Chili Seasoning Mix.  

More Seasoning Blends and Homemade Spice Mixes

• Italian Seasoning Recipe
• Taco Seasoning From Scratch
• Homemade Apple Pie Spice
• The Best Poultry Seasoning Recipe
• Everything Bagel Seasoning Mix
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• Greek Seasoning

Printable Chili Seasoning Recipe

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Chili Seasoning Recipe

Yield: 6 tablespoons

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Make a bomb chili recipe that’s bursting with flavor when you use this homemade chili seasoning. A combination of spices most popularly used in most chili recipes, that are oftentimes already in your pantry!

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Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 2 Teaspoons Cumin
• 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a small dish or jar and mix well.
2. Use immediately or store in a sealed container for up to a year.
   

Notes

• If you want a bigger kick added to your seasoning, include ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper to your mix.
• Want a sweeter touch? Add a teaspoon of sugar.
• Want a stronger or bolder flavor? Add an extra Tablespoon of chili powder.
• You’ll want to taste this and adjust the seasonings to your preferences. Everyone likes it just a little differently, so start from here and if you like it, awesome, if not, tweak it just how you like it.
• Be sure to smash up any clumps in your seasoning so it’s nice and smooth.
  

Did you make this recipe?

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