• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Wellness Mama®

Wellness Mama®

Simple Answers for Healthier Families

  • About
  • Resources
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Beauty
    • Health
    • Mama Wellness
    • Natural Home
    • Natural Remedies
    • Organization
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • Reviews
  • Shop
  • Health
  • Natural Home
  • Motherhood
  • Natural Remedies
  • Beauty
  • Organization
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Reviews

How to Make Chili Seasoning Mix (Easy 2-Minute Recipe)

October 3, 2016 by Katie Wells
Wellness Mama Chili Seasoning Mix
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What is in Chili Seasoning Mix?+−
    • What is the difference between chili seasoning mix and chili powder?
    • What are the spices in chili seasoning?
    • How Many Tablespoons are In a Packet of Chili Seasoning?
  • How to Make Chili Seasoning Mix:+−
    • How long does this keep?
    • Where to Get the Spices
    • Chili Recipes:
  • Chili Seasoning Mix Recipe

Once I started making my own homemade herb and spice blends from bulk ingredients, I was shocked at how much one little packet of spices in the store cost.

For the price of only a few tablespoons of pre-mixed seasonings in packets, I could buy half a pound of a spice and make my own. Now, I make all of our seasoning blends and my kids love to help.

Homemade spice blends not only save money and help you avoid harmful ingredients in many pre-mixed seasonings and packets, but they are a great project to make with children since they don’t require any chopping, cooking, or heating. Children love helping measure and mix and you can completely revamp your spice cabinet in a day by making your own homemade spice blends and storing them in small glass jars.

What is in Chili Seasoning Mix?

In the stores, it is an over-priced packet of pre-mixed seasoning, often with some anti-caking agents and artificial flavors. Most often, chili seasoning is a mix of 5-8 spices including chili powder, cumin, garlic, oregano, and others.

Chili seasoning is similar to homemade taco seasoning and fajita seasoning, with many of the same ingredients but has more of an emphasis on chili powder. This is great to keep on hand to make quick chili on a busy night and it is also great on omelets and roasted veggies.

What is the difference between chili seasoning mix and chili powder?

Good question!

Essentially, all chili seasoning mixes contain chili powder, along with many other ingredients. Yet, not all chili powders are part of chili seasoning mix. Chili powders can be made from a single pepper or a blend and can be used alone or in spice mixes.

Feeling DIYish?

Here’s a great tutorial on making your own chili powder by dehydrating peppers of some kind. You can use hot peppers for a spicier powder or even bell peppers for a sweeter mild flavor.

What are the spices in chili seasoning?

Chili powder is usually the core ingredient with a mixture of cumin, garlic, onion powder, oregano, and other spices. You can make it with or without salt, though I prefer to make without salt and add salt based on the recipe I’m using it in.

How Many Tablespoons are In a Packet of Chili Seasoning?

If you’ve only ever purchased packets of chili seasoning mix, you are in for a treat when you make your own. Without fillers and additives, you don’t need nearly as much and the flavor is much more vibrant.

While chili packets contain about 5 tablespoons of mix, this often includes flours and other fillers. I find that 2-3 tablespoons of this chili mix is the equivalent of a package of chili seasoning. In most recipes, I start with 1½ to 2 tablespoons per pound of meat or vegetables or other foods I’m using.

How to Make Chili Seasoning Mix:

Wellness Mama Chili Seasoning Mix

Chili Seasoning Mix Recipe

Katie Wells
This simple chili seasoning mix recipe includes chili powder, garlic, cumin, onion powder, and others for a delicious addition to any chili recipe or to other dishes.
3.79 from 28 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Total Time 2 mins
Course Main
Cuisine Tex Mex
Servings 1 cups
Calories 8 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup chili powder
  • ¼ cup garlic powder
  • ¼ cup cumin
  • 3 TBSP onion powder
  • 2 TBSP oregano
  • 2 TBSP paprika
  • 1 TBSP thyme (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and shake to mix.

Notes

Use 2-3 tablespoons of this mix to replace one packet of store-bought chili seasoning mix. 
Use 1½-2 tablespoons for each pound of meat or vegetables in a recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tspCalories: 8kcalCarbohydrates: 1.4gProtein: 0.3gSodium: 10mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.3g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

How long does this keep?

I store this chili powder in an air-tight glass jar and it lasts up to a year, though the best flavor is in the first six months.

Where to Get the Spices

Where I used to have dozens of store bought spices, I now just have a dozen or so small glass jars with pre-mixed seasonings and I save time and money by using them! I buy most of my spices in bulk from Frontier brand organic on Amazon.

Chili Recipes:

This seasoning works great for recipes like:

  • Simple homemade chili
  • Cincinnati chili
  • Pumpkin Chili
  • 5 ingredient Crockpot Chili

Do you make your own spice blends?

Related Posts

homemade herb and spice mixes14 Homemade Spice BlendsRock the Instant Pot and Ferment Anything with Wardeh Harmon75: Rock the Instant Pot and Ferment Anything with Wardeh Harmonhow to eat in seasonSimple Seasonal Eating Guide for FamiliesThe Reality of Real Food with Kelly the Kitchen Kop38: The Reality of Real FoodDetoxing-is-a-Lifestyle-Not-a-Fad-Diet-with-Megan-the-Detoxinista67: Easy Everyday Detox Tips with Megan the DetoxinistaHomemade taco seasoningHomemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (Secret Family Favorite)
Category: Condiment Recipes, Recipes

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

  • All Posts
Previous Post: « Uses and Benefits of Coconut Oil 101+ Best Coconut Oil Uses and Benefits for Home and Beauty
Next Post: Sesame Garlic Broccolini Recipe (Great 10-Minute Side Dish) garlic-and-toasted-sesame-broccolini-recipe »

You May Also Enjoy These Posts...

  • Cincinnati Style Chili Copycat Recipe
    Homemade Cincinnati Chili Recipe
  • How to make adobo seasoning
    Adobo Seasoning Recipe
  • Wellness Mama Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
    Jerk Seasoning Recipe
  • Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix Recipe with Dried Herbs
    Homemade Italian Seasoning Recipe
  • Homemade Chipotle Mayo Recipe with Lime
  • Healthy and delicious pumpkin chili recipe- kid approved
    Pumpkin Chili Recipe

Reader Interactions

Discussion (31 Comments)

  1. Peggy D

    September 18, 2016 at 8:14 AM

    I checked the link to the Simply Organic chili powder and it contains silicon dioxide. What is that and is it unhealthy? I’ve had trouble finding a chili powder without it. I know it makes it free flowing but I think I’d rather have it clumpy! Please advise! Thanks for all your wonderful advice!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      October 10, 2016 at 3:44 PM

      I’m not sure which one you are talking about. The only Simply Organic one I’ve ever used doesn’t contain silicon dioxide… Is this the one you are talking about? https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Organic-Certified-2-89-Ounce-Container/dp/B00269XE0Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=fae580f3a54ed993a91d3f7e9fe13957&language=en_US

      Reply
  2. Teresa

    June 26, 2016 at 9:16 AM

    So where do you get the original spices? Knowing they all about high quality organic, isn’t that expensive to have enough on hand to revamp your spice cabinet? Can you provide a list of spice mixes and recipes for a well stocked cabinet? And finally, I have been developing my spice garden. How do you see it’s application? Thank you. You are such a blessing to those of us trying to raise our game.

    Reply
  3. Tracy

    April 26, 2016 at 10:45 AM

    How much do you use with 2lbs of hamburger?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      April 26, 2016 at 3:02 PM

      2-3 Tbsp

      Reply
  4. Shirley Rodnitzky

    March 19, 2016 at 1:10 PM

    How much salt and pepper to add to the chili powder recipe? Just found the recipe today for the chili powder and will try it for dinner.

    Reply
  5. Paula

    February 16, 2015 at 1:28 AM

    5 stars
    I checked a chili packet I had on hand when I mixed this seasoning today, and it was approximately 5 Tbsp, so that’s how much I used in mine (per 1 lb. ground beef or turkey and whatever beans and sauce you use); it was PERFECT! Thanks for the recipe, Katie… I will never use the packets with all the extra preservatives and junk again! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Carolyn

    February 10, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    I would also like to know how much to use for a crockpot .

    Reply
  7. LAURA

    February 2, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    How much of the chili seasoning would you use for 1 crock pot full of chili?

    Reply
  8. Wellness Mama

    April 28, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    Wow… unbelievable! Definitely going to have to post on that one!
    Thanks for the link!

    Reply
  9. Jenny

    March 29, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    The strangest question I get from extended family members is why I haven’t lost any weight with all the stomach issues I have and the gluten intolerance. It’s very annoying!! I do have signficant weight to lose. I also have thryroid issues too. I finally had a doc tell his med student that my wrists were small and that I am over weight because I am malnourished. But my body type isn’t meant to have this much weight on it. Crazy finding- but I was pretty thin as a child with a distended stomach. I have restricted carbs in the past and the weight came off. I have a hard time with the low carb long term and so I gained it back. How to do this long term? I think I need to for my health and well being.

    Reply
    • Christina

      March 31, 2011 at 3:02 AM

      Jenny, I am having the same problem.. That little thyroid can make or break a person! I hate that it is SO hard to find health when that bugger is off-balance.

      Reply
      • Daed

        June 14, 2016 at 9:18 PM

        Try doing a whole 30 to help reset your body’s natural chemical and hormonal balances.

        Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 30, 2011 at 10:50 PM

      Good luck Jenny! I struggled with some of those same issues, and if it helps… there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, those are some of the things that take longer to heal, but it will happen. You are right, low-carb will help, especially in the short term. Maybe allow yourself one cheat day a month to eat whatever (except gluten) so that you don’t feel like you are giving it up forever and can stick to it better. Also, meal planning was vital for me to stay on track. Hang in there though… this is the toughest part right now!

      Reply
      • Candy

        August 21, 2019 at 7:36 PM

        I just found that Ancestral Supplements has beef thyroid pills. I am going to try them and see if they help out out. Their liver pills and organs pills have helped immensely already.

        Reply
  10. Johanna

    March 28, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    The strangest question I have ever received was just last week:

    “By choosing not to feed your kids any grains or dairy products, aren’t you afraid of automatically giving them a food allergy?”

    I assured her this was our lifestyle choice for our family, my husband was on board and our children will not be deprived of any nutrients. With my husband’s family history of celiacs, the condition is degenerative based on exposure. I’d rather not take the risk. When they are old enough to make their own food choices, they can eat the food and see how it makes them feel. In the meantime, I will work to maintain a positive food culture in our house, involve them in the cooking process and teach them WHY we eat this way.

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Join the Conversation... Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Please read the comment policy.

Recipe Rating




About

  • About
  • Sitemap
  • Start Here
  • Comment Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Newsletter
  • Full Disclaimer
  • Promo Guidelines
  • Contact
  • Shop

The Blog

  • All Posts
  • Resources
  • Recipes
  • Natural Remedies
  • Beauty
  • Health
  • Natural Home
  • Mama Wellness
  • Organization
  • Travel
  • Podcast
  • Reviews

Copyright © 2022 · Wellness Mama® · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme

Stay in the know.

Simple Answers for Healthier Families