Chili Seasoning

Chili Seasoning is an easy homemade chili spice mix made with chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, and cayenne pepper. This simple DIY Chili Seasoning recipe takes just 5 minutes and is perfect for beef, chicken, turkey, and your favorite homemade chili recipes.

This easy homemade Chili Seasoning recipe is a simple blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, and a few other pantry staples. Mix everything together, put it in a jar, and you’re DONE. Once you learn how to make Chili Seasoning at home, you may never look at those little seasoning packets the same way again! Seriously, it takes about 5 minutes.

I know there are plenty of store-bought chili seasoning mixes and packets out there, including popular brands such as McCormick, Lawry’s, and Kinder’s. They’re certainly convenient, but making a DIY Chili Seasoning from scratch means you know exactly what goes into your mix and you can easily adjust the flavors to your family’s preference.

Want mild chili seasoning? Keep the cayenne on the lighter side. Want a spicy chili spice mix? Bring on more cayenne!

This homemade Chili Seasoning is also incredibly versatile. Use it for a classic beef chili, chicken chili, turkey chili, vegetarian chili, or just about any chili recipe you can dream up. And don’t stop at chili.

This easy chili spice blend is also great for dips, soups, stews, tacos, enchiladas, meat rubs, and other dishes that could use a little extra smoky, savory, and spicy flavor.

What I Love About This Recipe

• It’s ridiculously easy to make. Measure the ingredients, mix them together, and put the seasoning in a jar. That’s really it! The whole Chili Seasoning recipe takes about 5 minutes, making it an easy DIY kitchen staple even if you don’t normally make homemade spice mixes.
• You can control the heat. This homemade chili spice mix is fairly mild as written, but it’s easy to turn up the heat. Add more cayenne pepper if you like spicy chili, or use a little less if your family prefers things mild. That’s one of the BEST things about making Chili Seasoning from scratch instead of relying on a packet.
• It’s great for more than beef chili. This seasoning works with beef, chicken, turkey, beans, and a wide variety of homemade chili recipes. You can also sprinkle it into soups, stews, dips, tacos, enchiladas, and other dishes. One little jar can do a LOT.
• You can customize the ingredients. Once you’ve made the chili seasoning mix, you can experiment with other chili spices such as ground chipotle, paprika, ancho chili pepper, coriander, cocoa powder, or even a little sugar. You can also leave out the salt if you’d rather season your finished dish separately. Homemade seasoning mixes make it easy to tweak things exactly the way you like them.
• It makes a fun homemade gift. Spoon the Chili Seasoning into a cute spice jar, add a label and ribbon, and you’ve got a simple, inexpensive gift for your favorite foodie. Pair it with a few other homemade seasoning mixes for Christmas, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, hostess gifts, or just because.

What Is Chili Seasoning?

Chili Seasoning is a blend of dried spices and seasonings designed to add flavor to homemade chili.

Although every chili spice recipe is a little different, common chili spices can include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, paprika, and other peppers and seasonings.

This particular homemade Chili Seasoning mix also contains masa harina, which gives the seasoning a subtle corn flavor. It’s an ingredient you may see in some premade chili mixes as well.

One big advantage to making a homemade Chili Seasoning mix is that you can adjust it to your taste.

Commercial seasoning packets from brands such as McCormick, Lawry’s, Kinder’s, and others each have their own formulas. This recipe isn’t intended as an exact copycat of any particular brand. It’s an easy original blend you can make from scratch and customize at home.

Homemade Chili Seasoning Gift Idea

Homemade spice mixes make such EASY little gifts!

This recipe makes about 1/2 cup, which should fit in a small 4-ounce glass jars, mason jar, or similar container. Add a cute label with the name and suggested amount to use, tie on a bow or ribbon, and you’re done.

For a bigger gift, make several DIY seasoning mixes and put them together in a basket. It’s an inexpensive homemade gift for Christmas, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, housewarmings, hostess gifts, or anyone who loves to cook.

For other mixes, check out my other Homemade Seasoning Mix Recipes like my Seasoning Salt, Burger Seasoning, Steak Seasoning, and Poultry Seasoning.

Equipment You May Need

• Small Mixing Bowl – Use a bowl with enough room to thoroughly combine all of the chili spices.
• Measuring Spoons – Accurate measurements help keep the flavor of your homemade Chili Seasoning consistent from batch to batch.
• Whisk or Spoon – Either works well for evenly combining the spices.
• Small Glass Spice Jar – A 4-ounce glass jar, mason jar, or similar airtight spice container works well for storing the mix.
• Small Funnel – Optional, but VERY handy for getting the seasoning into a narrow spice jar without decorating your counter in chili powder.
• Spice Grinder or Small Food Processor – Optional if you’d like a finer, more uniform Chili Seasoning powder.

Chili Seasoning Ingredients

• Chili Powder – The main ingredient and flavor base of this homemade chili spice blend.
• Masa Harina – Adds a subtle corn flavor to the seasoning and is also found in many premade chili seasoning mixes. Fine ground corn meal can be substituted.
• Salt – Enhances the other spices and flavors. You can omit it if you prefer a salt-free Chili Seasoning.
• Ground Cumin – Adds the earthy, warm flavor commonly associated with chili.
• Garlic Powder – Gives the spice mix an easy savory garlic flavor.
• Onion Powder – Adds another layer of savory flavor without needing fresh onion.
• Black Pepper – Adds a little peppery bite and balances the other chili spices.
• Oregano – Brings an herby note to the seasoning blend.
• Cayenne Pepper – Adds heat. Use the amount in the recipe for a fairly mild mix, or add more if you like things spicy.

How to Make Chili Seasoning

Step One: Mix the Chili Spices
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until well combined, making sure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the seasoning.

Step Two: Store the Seasoning
Place the Chili Seasoning in a small glass spice jar with a lid and store at room temperature.

(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)

How Much Chili Seasoning Should I Use?

How much homemade Chili Seasoning you need depends on the chili recipe and your personal taste.

Popular store-bought seasoning packets may contain roughly 1/3 cup of seasoning for 1 pound of meat. For this homemade recipe, I suggest starting with about 2 tablespoons of Chili Seasoning for 1 pound of meat and adding more as needed.

Start small. You can always add more seasoning as your chili cooks, but you can’t easily take it back out. Taste your chili after the seasoning has had a chance to mix with the other ingredients and adjust from there.

You can add this seasoning mix to really any kind of chili from beef to white chicken chili. It would be delicious in this Italian Chicken Chili and even this Mexican Style Chicken Chili, just to name a few.

Uses for Chili Seasoning

Don’t hide this jar in the pantry until chili night. There are plenty of ways to use your homemade chili spice mix!

• Beef Chili: Add the seasoning to your favorite traditional ground beef chili.
• Chicken Chili: Use it in red or white chicken chili for extra flavor.
• Turkey Chili: Ground turkey is another easy match for this seasoning blend.
• Vegetarian Chili: Add it to chili made with beans, lentils, vegetables, or your favorite meat alternative. Like this Vegetarian Chili recipe.
• Soups and Stews: Stir a little into tomato-based soups, bean soups, and hearty stews.
• Dips: Add a small amount to creamy dips, bean dips, or cheese dips.
• Tacos: Sprinkle some over taco meat or vegetables as they cook.
• Enchiladas: Add a little to your filling or sauce.
• Meat Rubs: Try the chili spice blend as part of a dry rub for chicken, beef, or pork.
• Roasted Vegetables: Toss a little with vegetables before roasting.
• Potatoes: Sprinkle some on potato wedges or roasted potatoes before cooking.

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Use dry spices. This seasoning recipe is designed for dried spices and herbs, not fresh ingredients.
• Check your spices before mixing. Older spices can lose flavor over time, so your finished Chili Seasoning will only be as flavorful as the spices you put into it.
• Mix thoroughly. Stir or whisk everything well so you don’t end up with pockets of cayenne, salt, or other seasonings.
• Adjust the heat. This recipe is fairly mild. Double the cayenne pepper, or add more to taste, for a spicier chili seasoning.
• Make it salt-free if needed. You can omit the salt and season your finished chili separately.
• Try a finer texture. Pulse the seasoning a few times in a spice grinder or small food processor if you’d like a finer powder.
• Start with less. Try about 2 tablespoons per pound of meat and add more seasoning as needed.
• Store it properly. Keep the mix tightly covered in a cool, dark, dry location away from heat and light.
• Label your jar. Add the name and date so there’s no mystery spice jar hiding in the back of your pantry six months from now.
• Make a double batch. If chili is in regular rotation at your house, mix up extra so it’s ready when you need it.

Chili Seasoning FAQ

How should I store the chili seasoning?
Store your homemade Chili Seasoning in a tightly closed container in a cool, dark, dry place away from heat and light. A glass spice jar or small mason jar works well. Keep moisture out of the container to help protect the quality of the dried spices.

How long will the chili seasoning last?
The seasoning mix should last about 1 to 3 years if you start with relatively new spices. The mixture may gradually lose flavor and aroma over time. For the best flavor, pay attention to the freshness of the individual spices you use to make the blend.

Substitutions?
Finely ground corn meal can replace the masa harina. You can also experiment with other chili spices such as unsweetened cocoa powder, ground coriander, ground chipotle, paprika, ancho chili pepper, or even a little sugar. If replacing cayenne with another pepper, adjust the amount according to the heat level of the pepper you’re using.

What else can I add to this recipe?
Try paprika, smoked paprika, ancho chili pepper, ground chipotle, coriander, unsweetened cocoa powder, or dried lime zest. Some chili spice blends also contain sugar or another sweetener. Add optional ingredients in small amounts and taste the finished chili before making big changes to your mix.

How much should I add to my chili?
So store-bought chili seasoning packets are about 1/3 cup to one pound of meat. However, it’s really personal preference and could vary for each recipe. I would suggest starting with about 2 tablespoons for one pound of meat and add more as desired.

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – The seasoning mix is vegan.

Vegetarian – The seasoning mix is vegetarian.

Low-Carb – The seasoning mix is low carb, but be sure to not add sugar if you want to keep it that way.

Gluten-Free – The seasoning mix is gluten-free.

Chili Side Dish Recipes You May Enjoy

• Fluffy Buttermilk Chive Biscuits – These homemade chive biscuits are so light and fluffy and perfect for chili.
• Mini Cheddar Biscuit Muffins – A cross between a muffin and biscuit.
• Gluten-Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits – These almond flour biscuits are great for those who are gluten-free.
• Garlic Cheddar Bay Biscuits – Quick and easy!
• Cornbread Muffins – Easy homemade muffins.

Hope you enjoy this DIY Chili Seasoning mix. Tell me in the comments about your homemade chili!

If you like homemade seasoning mixes, you might also like this Garlic Herb Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix and Citrus Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix!