This homemade chili seasoning is packed with flavor and made with only 6 ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It’s the best way to make chili seasoning at home that’s without any gluten or preservatives and can be used in recipes like my simple chili recipe.
Are you looking for a convenient, gluten-free replacement for store-bought chili seasoning? Then this recipe is all you need to make my favorite chili recipe. It’s easy and delicious, plus it’s a homemade blend so you know exactly what’s going into your food.
And if you’re a fan of homemade spice mixes, you’ll love my recipes for homemade onion soup mix and homemade taco seasoning. They’re all about taking control of the flavors in your dishes and saying no to unnecessary chemicals and preservatives in food.
This recipe comes from my trial and error recipe as I make chili over and over again for my family. Chili is one of our favorite go-to recipes from mid-fall through the chilly spring days. I first decided to make my own after hosting a gluten-free family member. Most store bought packets of chili seasoning have gluten in them – so I was determined to create my own – and create I did!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Homemade: This chili seasoning is made from scratch, giving you a homemade flavor that’s unbeatable.
- Customizable: You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your personal preferences and spice tolerance.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is free of gluten, making it perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
- Free of Preservatives: Unlike store-bought chili seasoning, this recipe is free of preservatives, so you know exactly what you’re eating.
- Better Than Store-Bought: The flavor of this homemade chili seasoning is far superior to any store-bought version, giving your dishes a real flavor boost.
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Key Ingredients
- Chili Powder: This is the star of the show, giving your chili seasoning its signature heat and flavor.
- Cumin: It adds a warm, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the heat of the chili powder.
- Garlic Powder: This ingredient brings a savory depth to the mix.
- Onion Powder: It provides a sweet, subtle flavor that compliments the other spices.
- Salt: It helps to balance the flavors and bring out the natural tastes of the other ingredients.
- Ground Black Pepper: This adds a bit of heat and a touch of sharpness to the mix.
Note: You can add cayenne pepper to up the spicy but with two young boys, I leave it out completely.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl – You’ll need this to combine all the ingredients for your homemade chili seasoning.
- Measuring Spoons – These are essential to ensure the right quantities of each spice in your blend.
- Airtight Container or Jar – This is where you’ll store your chili seasoning mix to keep it fresh and flavorful.
How to Make Homemade Chili Seasoning
Preparation
To start, gather all your ingredients. You’ll need chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper.
Step 1 – Combine the Ingredients
In a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix them together. This will help to distribute the flavors evenly and guarantee that each spoon of your homemade chili seasoning mix is packed with flavor.
Step 2 – Store the Seasoning
Once your spice mix is well combined, transfer it to an airtight container or jar. This will help to keep it fresh and flavorful for future use.
Step 3 – Use the Seasoning
Two tablespoons of this chili seasoning will replace one chili seasoning packet. You can use it in your favorite chili recipe, or try it as a dry rub for grilling or as a seasoning mix for other dishes.
Expert Tip
To really let the flavors of your homemade chili seasoning bloom, consider toasting the cumin and chili powder in a dry pan over medium heat for a minute or two. This simple step will elevate the depth of flavor in your seasoning blend.
Recipe Variations
- Spicier: If you like your chili seasoning with an extra twist, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mix. This will give your chili a spicy punch that’s guaranteed to please the heat lovers in your family.
- Smoky: For a smoky flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to your homemade chili seasoning mix. This will give your chili a delicious, rich, and smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the other spices.
- Italian-Style: If you’re looking for a unique twist, try adding a teaspoon of dried oregano and a teaspoon of dried basil to your chili seasoning blend. This Italian-style seasoning mix is perfect for a hearty, flavorful chili.
- Chipotle: For a smoky, spicy flavor, add a teaspoon of chipotle powder to your chili seasoning. This will give your chili a delicious, smoky heat that’s guaranteed to impress.
- Sweet: To add a touch of sweetness to your chili, try adding a teaspoon of brown sugar to your seasoning mix. This will balance out the heat from the chili powder and cumin, giving your chili a well-rounded flavor profile.
What to Serve With
- Use this homemade chili seasoning mix while making your next batch of chili for a robust and flavorful meal. It’s also great for seasoning ground beef, turkey, or chicken for tacos, nachos, or burritos.
- For a spicier option, try using this chili seasoning blend as a dry rub for your favorite cuts of meat before grilling. The flavors of the seasoning will caramelize on the meat, giving it a deliciously bold flavor.
- If you’re a fan of roasted vegetables, this homemade chili seasoning mix is great for it. Just sprinkle it over your veggies before roasting for a pop of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- Looking for a quick and easy snack? Try sprinkling this chili seasoning blend over popcorn. It’s a delicious twist on a classic snack that’s perfect for movie night or game day.
Recipe FAQs
Chili seasoning is a spice mix that is specifically designed to add flavor to chili. It usually contains a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and other spices.
This homemade chili seasoning mix is perfect for adding flavor to not only chili but also to other dishes like tacos, fajitas, and even roasted vegetables. It’s a versatile spice mix that can add a kick of flavor to your favorite recipes.
Absolutely! If you prefer a spicier chili seasoning, you can add a bit more chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper to the mix. On the other hand, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of chili powder in the recipe.
Per chili seasoning packet, you’ll put two tablespoons of this chili seasoning. If your recipe doesn’t call for a chili seasoning pack then you can add one tablespoon and then more to taste.
Yes, you can easily double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch of this homemade chili seasoning mix. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Homemade chili seasoning allows you to customize the blend according to your preference. You can also control the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Store-bought seasoning, on the other hand, is convenient but may contain additives and preservatives.
Storing and Reheating
- Storage: After you’ve made your homemade chili seasoning mix, you can store it in an airtight container or jar. Keep it in a cool, dry place, and it will stay fresh for up to six months.
- Freeze: Unfortunately, this chili seasoning blend is not suitable for freezing. However, you can easily make a large batch and store at room temperature for up to six months in a well sealed container.
More Seasoning Mix Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This homemade chili seasoning recipe yields about 1 cup of seasoning mix.
- How to Scale: If you want to make a larger batch of this homemade chili seasoning mix, you can easily double or triple the recipe. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Homemade Chili Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons chili powder
- 4 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container or jar.
- Use in Chili: Two tablespoons of this chili seasoning will replace one chili seasoning packet.
Comments & Reviews
Mel says
Made it, used it, liked it. I tested on 1/4 lbs ground pork and 1/4 lbs ground beef, separately. I was pleasantly surprised so I threw it in a tortilla and made tacos. I then made a batch of chili and used it to season my meat before adding the rest of ingredients. I still used a couple shakes of the McCormick chili packet because my daughter is a traditionalist and likes things the way she likes things, the combination of the two was so good. One day when I’m cooking just for me I will try it without McCormicks and then update my thoughts. Thank you for the recipe.
Reba says
I am loving not only the food recipes but the seasonings recipes. I have made the homemade chili seasoning and homemade dry onion soup mix. Great to have season mixes that do not have any preservatives in them.
Lynette says
Agree! I’m using the seasoning tonight in chili. Nice to have on hand and adjust to our tastes.
Geri says
Yes!!! This is really good!! So happy I found it. Thanks 🙂
Lynette says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I use it all the time as well for my family.
Paul says
Can you post what brand of chili seasoning you used in this recipe. There are so many different kinds. I am trying to find a copy cat for the original McCormick recipe but they have changed the recipe. Just saying use chili seasoning without specifying what kind is kind of misleading as you are making chili seasoning but you are using “chili” powder mod making the chili powder
tamara says
I made this seasoning recipe exactly as specified. 4 teaspoons of salt should have been a red flag, but I followed it. I had to toss the chili, way to salty.
Lynette says
Hi! As the recipe states, you only use 2 Tablespoons of mix to replace 1 chili seasoning packet.
Seanna says
You made the recipe, used too much of the resulting seasoning, and then rated the recipe 1 star because of your mistake? Am I reading that correctly?