Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix (McCormick Copycat)

Name: Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix (McCormick Copycat)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp chili powder; 2 tsp cumin; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp ground black pepper; ½ tsp paprika (smoked paprika also works well here); ½ tsp oregano; ½ tsp cocoa powder; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

By Sarah Bond, BS Nutrition, MS Sensory Science, Updated Aug 15, 2025

5 from 54 ratings

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5 minutes

Serves 1 seasoning packet

98 Comments

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This homemade chili seasoning mix is a deconstructed, copycat version of McCormick’s Chili Seasoning! The recipe replaces exactly one store-bought seasoning packet, making measurement easy for your next homemade chili.

Homemade chili seasoning in a glass bowl.

Are you making chili but don’t have that seasoning packet? Or would you rather know everything that’s going into your chili seasoning mix?

I put on my food scientist cap and deconstructed those store-bought chili seasoning packets, allowing you to replicate the exact flavor you love effortlessly.

It has the exact measurement as store-bought (35 grams – I measured!), meaning you can use this whole recipe to replace a store-bought packet (and easily scale up or down) for a batch of chili.
It’s full of ingredients you can pronounce, unlike the ingredients in most store-bought chili packets, which often have preservatives.
It doesn’t have any artificial flavors that we found in store-bought packets during our research.

Reader rating

★★★★★

“Thank you it tastes better than store bought.” —Cherrie

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Chili seasoning packets. — We tested this next to both McCormick and store brand chili seasoning mixes.

does it need a thickener?

Many store-bought chili seasonings will have a thickener added, such as cornstarch or flour. Our recipe for chili seasoning does not include a thickener, and we don’t find that it needs it.

If you want to add a thickening element to your chili mix, we recommend masa harina. Masa harina, which is a type of corn flour made from dried corn kernels, is a thickener commonly used in chili seasoning. It not only contributes to the thickness of the chili but also gives a distinctive corn flavor, which is characteristic of many traditional Mexican chili recipes.

Spices for making chili seasoning layered in a glass.

Spices for making chili seasoning. — Cocoa powder is a secret ingredient that adds a layer of depth and richness to various dishes in Mexican cuisine. Its dark, slightly bitter notes complement the spiciness of chili powder!

Chili vs. taco seasoning

While they share some common spices, the ratios and additional ingredients used to make chili seasoning and homemade taco seasoning are distinct. You can sometimes use one as a substitute for the other, but be aware that the flavor may not be exactly the same.

Adjust the spice level

Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of cayenne pepper based on your spice preference. I started recipe testing with ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and reduced it to ¼ for a little less kick, more similar to the store-bought packets (I’m middle of the road when it comes to spicy liking).

Fun Ways to Use Chili Seasoning

This homemade chili seasoning recipe was bound for so much more than just chili!

High Protein Vegan Chorizo Taco Filling: Use it to season ground meat or plant-based alternatives for taco night.
Popcorn Seasoning: Sprinkle it over freshly popped popcorn for a unique snack.

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