I used to go through a bottle of tiny spice blends a week (at least!) cooking for a large family at home. I decided to try my hand at creating my own and I haven’t looked back. This chili seasoning recipe combines flavorful ingredients without the preservatives and additives. Add it to your next batch of chili, or season some scrambled eggs for breakfast!
The Best Chili Seasoning
Once I started making my own homemade 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 chili powder, I could buy half a pound of spice and make my own. Now, I make (almost) all of our seasoning blends, and my kids love to help. Several years ago my friend Layla Ali (yes, daughter of Mohammed Ali!) created some delicious spice blends that we also use.
Homemade spice blends save money and help you avoid harmful ingredients found in many pre-mixed seasonings and packets. They’re also a great project to make with little kids since they don’t require any chopping, cooking, or heating. My kids loved helping measure and mix with me!
You can completely revamp your spice cabinet in a day by making your homemade spice blends and storing them in small glass jars.
What is in Chili Seasoning Mix?
In the stores, it’s 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, smoked paprika, oregano, and others.
Chili seasoning is similar to homemade taco seasoning and fajita seasoning. While it has many of the same ingredients, there’s more of an emphasis on chili powder. I like to start with good-quality chili pepper powder for the best flavor. If you like more of a kick you could add some black pepper, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper to your chili seasoning.
Chili Seasoning vs Chili Powder
So what’s the difference between chili seasoning mix and chili powder?
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 for how to make your own chili powder by dehydrating peppers. 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. I prefer to make it 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’re 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 have about 1/3 cup of mix, this often includes flour and other fillers. I find that 2-3 tablespoons of homemade chili mix is the same as one 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. You can always add more to taste.
Chili Seasoning Mix Recipe
Servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup chili powder
- ¼ cup garlic powder
- ¼ cup ground cumin
- 3 TBSP onion powder
- 2 TBSP oregano
- 2 TBSP paprika
- 1 TBSP thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a glass jar or airtight container and shake to mix.
- Use as desired to season your favorite dishes.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use 2-3 tablespoons of this mix to replace one store-bought chili seasoning packet.
- Use 1½-2 tablespoons for each pound of ground beef or other meat in a recipe.
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Storage and Shelf Life
I store this chili powder in an air-tight glass jar and it lasts up to a year, though it has the best flavor in the first six months. Be sure to keep in a cool, dark place away from direct light and heat.
Where to Get the Spices
Where I used to have dozens of spices from the grocery store, I now have a dozen or so small glass jars with pre-mixed seasonings. I save lots of time and money by using them! I buy most of my spices in bulk from Frontier brand organic on Amazon.
Chili Recipes
This is great to keep on hand to make quick chili on a busy night and it’s also great on omelets and roasted veggies. Of course, this works great in almost any pot of chili, but here are some of the recipes we love using it in!
Do you make your own spice blends? What’s your favorite way to use chili seasoning? Leave a comment and let us know!
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