This homemade Chili Seasoning mix is a budget-friendly way to add big, bold flavors to your favorite chili recipes. When you see how easy it is, you’ll never buy the store-bought packets again.

Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe

There’s nothing that can beat a big bowl of chili on a cold winter day. Or if you’re like my family we enjoy it all year long. While there are plenty brands of store-bought chili seasoning packets you can buy, making your own blend truly elevates the freshness and the flavor of any chili-inspired dish.

Another added bonus is that by creating homemade spice mixes, you’re able to customize the dried spices and herbs to suit your taste. Make up a large batch of this seasoning to keep on hand to make that last minute large pot of Homemade Chili or a variety of recipes that call for Mexican flavors, like this Frito Pie.

Why We Love This Recipe

Easy recipe – To make this DIY chili seasoning, you only need 5 simple ingredients that you can get from your local grocery store.
Amazing Flavor – This homemade seasoning recipe creates the perfect blend of herbs and spices that gives your favorite chili recipe a burst of savory flavor.
Healthier – Not only does making your own seasoning mixes save you money, but’s it’s healthy because it doesn’t contain the additives and preservatives commercial brands usually have.

Ingredients

Chili powder
Cumin
Onion powder
Cayenne pepper
Salt
Black pepper

How to Make Your Own Homemade Chili Seasoning

Step One: Measure Spices and Mix

Mixing all the ingredients to create Chili Seasoning

Measure out then combine all ingredients in a small dish or jar and mix well.

Step Two: Store in Airtight Container or Jar

Use immediately or store in a sealed airtight container.

Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend Variations

Extra spicy – If you want a bigger kick added to your seasoning, include ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to your mix.
Sweeten it up – If you like a bit more sweeter seasoning, just a add in about a teaspoon of granulated sugar.
Bolder flavor – To give this chili spice mix more robust flavor, add in another tablespoon of chili powder.
Cocoa powder – Believe it or not, a touch of cocoa powder is the best secret ingredient in restaurant-quality chili recipes. You won’t need but about a teaspoon to give the perfect balance of flavor.
Other spices – You can add other spices and herbs to suit your personal preferences. Garlic powder and smoked paprika are popular choices.

Tips for Making and Storing You Own Chili Seasoning

You’ll want to taste this and adjust the seasonings to your preferences. Everyone likes it just a little differently, so start from here and if you like it, awesome, if not, tweak it just how you like it.
Be sure to smash up any clumps in your seasoning so it’s nice and smooth.
Keep your dry spices in a dark place, away from direct sunlight, like on a spice rack in your pantry. Exposure to air will cause your herbs to become stale.
Heat will also cause seasonings to lose their flavor quickly. It’s best to keep them in a cabinet or pantry that is completely away from any heat source like your stove or dishwasher.
Store spices in a sealed glass jar or other airtight jar with a label indicating what they are and the date you made them.
For optimal freshness, homemade seasoning mixes should be used within 9 months to a year.

Finished product - Chili Seasoning in a jar.

What are Some Other Ways to Use Homemade Chili Mix?

It makes the absolute best chili, and you can use it in white chicken chili too.
Use it to season eggs to make a morning Tex-Mex omelet.
Add it to ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken for savory burgers.
Season your grilled chicken, shrimp or beef with chili seasoning.
Add it to taco or Chicken Tortilla Soup for a burst of chili flavor.
Give roasted veggies a Mexican twist with a pinch of chili spice.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

Chili Seasoning

Author Alicia

Course Seasoning

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Make a bomb chili recipe that’s bursting with flavor when you use this homemade chili seasoning. A combination of spices most popularly used in most chili recipes, that are oftentimes already in your pantry!

Ingredients

Instructions

In medium-sized mixing bowl combine all the spices and mix together.
3 Tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
Use immediately or store in a sealed container or jar for up to a year.