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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.
save this recipe!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.
Homemade Chili Seasoning Ingredients
- Chili powder: The backbone of the blend and the ingredient that contributes the most volume and color. It’s already a spice blend on its own, which is part of why this seasoning comes together with so much depth from a short ingredient list.
- Cumin: Adds the earthy, slightly smoky note that makes this taste distinctly like chili seasoning rather than a generic spice blend. It’s the most recognizable flavor in the finished dish.
- Salt: Seasons the blend and amplifies every other spice. If you’re watching sodium, reduce it here and season your dish separately to taste.
- Garlic powder and onion powder: Work together as the savory backbone, contributing the depth that fresh aromatics would normally provide in a cooked dish.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild, building heat that’s different from the cayenne. It works in the background rather than announcing itself.
- Paprika: Adds color and a subtle sweetness. Smoked paprika deepens the flavor significantly and is worth using if you have it!
- Oregano: A quieter ingredient that adds a faint herbal note and rounds out the blend without dominating.
- Cocoa powder: The surprise ingredient. Just half a teaspoon adds a rich, slightly bitter depth that makes the finished chili taste more complex without tasting like chocolate.
- Cayenne pepper: Controls the heat level. A quarter teaspoon produces a mild kick. Increase gradually if you want more.
How to Make Chili Seasoning
Making this seasoning is as simple as it sounds: measure out each spice and stir them together in a small bowl until evenly combined. There’s no cooking, no toasting, no special equipment, just a spoon and a bowl. Once mixed, this batch is portioned to match exactly one store-bought seasoning packet, so you can swap it into any chili recipe without recalculating measurements.
How to use this homemade chili seasoning
This blend is built to replace one standard packet of store-bought seasoning, which makes it an easy one-to-one swap in almost any chili recipe. Stir it into a pot of lentil chili or sweet potato black bean chili for deep, well-rounded flavor without opening a packet. It also works well stirred into taco soup for an extra layer of spice, or sprinkled over campfire nachos before they go over the fire.
How to store homemade chili seasoning
Store the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot like your pantry. It stays fresh for about six months, though the flavor gradually loses potency over time. If it starts smelling faint when you open the container, it’s time to mix up a new batch.
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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.
Chili Seasoning 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).
Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe
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
Instructions
- Mix together all spices. This recipe is equivalent to 1 store bought seasoning packet (1.25 oz or 35 grams).
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use (great in our classic vegetarian chili, black bean chili, or lentil chili).
Notes
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!Our favorite chilis
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.
I made this today and used with 1 lb ground beef. I’ll never buy a packet from the store again it’s awesome
Thanks so much Angela, glad you enjoyed the seasoning!
This homemade seasoning is so much better than the store bought packets. It made my chili taste delicious!
So glad it hit the spot Kirstie, thanks for sharing!