Homemade Chili Seasoning

By Beth Moncel
4.72
from
103
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Prep 5 minutes
Servings 1 recipe
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I made a pot of my basic chili a few weeks ago, which uses my homemade chili seasoning, so I wanted to post the homemade chili seasoning blend by itself to highlight the fact that it can be used for so much more than just chili.

A bowl of homemade chili seasoning being stirred together on a wooden background.

“Making chili and realized I didn’t have any chili seasoning. This was the first recipe that came up. Oh my gosh, this is the best ever! Never buying chili seasoning again. Thanks so much for the recipe.”

MJ

easy Homemade Chili Seasoning

This homemade chili seasoning makes the best homemade chili for a fraction of the cost! This recipe is equivalent to one store bought chili seasoning packet. It will be enough to season one 6 serving batch of chili, or a batch of chili that uses one pound of ground beef or ground turkey. Prep this seasoning in advance for the next time you want to cozy up with a warm bowl of chili.

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Homemade Chili Seasoning

4.72 from 103 votes
This simple homemade chili seasoning is made with a few basic pantry staple spices and can be used for so much more than a pot of traditional chili! 
This simple homemade chili seasoning is made with a few basic pantry staple spices and can be used for so much more than a pot of traditional chili! Budgetbytes.com
Servings 1 recipe
Prep 5 minutes
Total 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp approximately freshly ground pepper
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Instructions 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine. Store in an air-tight container, away from heat and moisture for up to six months.

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Notes

Makes enough for one pot of chili (about 6 servings).
If the chili powder you are using is spicy, you can reduce or eliminate the cayenne pepper from this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 18.1kcalCarbohydrates: 2.9gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.1gSodium: 2841.5mgFiber: 0.4g
Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!

Video

variations

In addition to your basic homemade chili seasoning you can add some fun “secret ingredients’ to your chili. Here are some fun ingredients for chili: 

  • Cocoa powder or dark chocolate, which gives an earthy flavor
  • Beer: light Mexican or dark beer, like Guinness 
  • Brown sugar or molasses (sweet makes a great contrast to spicy!)
  • Cinnamon, goes nicely with savory flavors as well as sweet!
  • Red wine (for beef chili)
  • Coffee or espresso (similar to cocoa, this provides a deep earthiness)

how to use and store

Store in an airtight container for future use. To add to chili, brown the ground beef or ground turkey first, drain the excess fat if needed, then add the homemade chili seasoning. Continue to sauté the seasoning with the beef for about a minute more, which will toast the spices and make them a bit more pronounced. Continue making your chili by adding diced tomatoes, beans, or whatever else you prefer. ).

The spices needed for homemade chili seasoning in a wooden bowl before being stirred together.

Serving Suggestions

In addition to making a big pot of warm and comforting homemade chili, you can add this chili seasoning to vegetables, meat, or fish before roasting or grilling (check out my Chili Roasted Potatoes), or even sprinkle a little into your mac and cheese. I mean, what can’t you do with chili seasoning?!

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216 Comments
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Ummm
01.29.25 5:47 pm

Nope! This seasoning mix was horribly bland!

Joyce
03.04.25 1:56 am
Reply to  Ummm

I added more of the suggested seasoning amounts and a lil sugar for a sweet & lil spicy chili. If not…it would have been too bland for us.

Dorothy Kreder
11.10.24 12:54 pm

Excellent. Just the right ratio of spices. My chili was a hit! I will make a batch to have on hand.

DH
11.01.24 3:01 pm

Add a little Allspice.

Kareena Renee
10.13.24 7:21 am

A great! Simple recipe.

Chelsea
09.30.24 10:28 am

If I make this in bulk do you know what measurements would be needed to add to a pot?

Paige Rhodes
10.02.24 10:26 am
Reply to  Chelsea

I would say 2 tbsp for a basic 6 serving pot of chili.

MJ WALLS
09.27.24 9:06 pm

Making chili and realized I didn’t have any chili seasoning. This was the first recipe that came up. Oh my gosh, this is the best ever! Never buying chili seasoning again. Thanks so much for the recipe.

Dawn
09.12.24 4:50 pm

I was making chili and ran out of the bought seasoning mix and didn’t want to go to the store so I went online and found this. Hands down this is waaaaay better than what I usually make. Thank you so much for posting it. It will be my go to for chili mix from now on.

Sally
07.17.24 2:23 am

Made this again tonight. Such a good and reliable recipe. And easy to make with regular pantry staples.

Jamie
05.30.24 5:29 pm

How do you get 2.9 carbs? That’s incorrect or did you sneak in something else ?

Paige Rhodes
05.31.24 8:21 am
Reply to  Jamie

It comes from the chili powder! If you look it up, store bought chili powder has more carbs that you’d think. I believe it’s from the the fiber in the chili peppers.

Jen
03.29.24 4:49 pm

My go to chili seasoning! Super easy and delicious 😋

JAX
03.24.24 2:20 pm

2841 mg sodium per serving. How did you get that Extremely High Number with your list of ingredients ? It’s pretty much impossible to do ?

RJ
06.13.24 1:58 pm
Reply to  JAX

That translates to roughly 1tsp of salt, which the recipe calls for…Great recipe btw :-)

Sully
03.24.24 12:46 pm

Used this recipe because I forgot to by the packet of chili mix. Never again will I buy the store brand packets at $1.99 this was way better. Use 1/2 the recipe for 1lb ground turkey chili and saved the rest for next time. The money wasted when all of the spices were in my cabinet.

Gail
03.20.24 3:12 pm

Needed a chili packet – turns out we didn’t have one in the pantry – but this recipe saved the day! As I sat down to add it to my collection I thought I’d take a minute first to say thanks for sharing. It will be our go-to from now on!

Demi
03.18.24 5:15 pm

I also suggest 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (especially if you want to take the cayenne out). Love the chili I can make this with one.

Derra Meyer
03.09.24 8:25 am

Love this!! Will never buy the packet again. I get SO many compliments on my chili!!