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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.
Reader rating
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 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 Mix (McCormick Copycat)
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.
This is really good! I don’t know why I’ve never looked for this before.
I’m so happy to hear it! 😀
Perfect!! I had all the ingredients…(even cocoa powder for no reason i remember)
4got to buy the mccormick seasoning that is my go-to…found your recipe and made it and i think its way better!
1 lb hamburger with onion browned…add your seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can sauce
2 cans “spicy chili beans” from st joan(?)
No need for any additional flour/thickener….my wooden spoon stood up!
Thank you!!!
So happy to hear it, Suzi!! Enjoy! 😀
Hello Sarah,
I live in Germany and after searching for an Enchilada recipe realised that American chili powder isn’t pure chili like here in German, so I was grateful to find your recipe.
I am just a little confused by the ingredient “chili powder”. Would that be like Ancho chili…pure chili? My family doesn’t like “hot” so I usually use ancho.
Thank you for your help!
Janet
Hi Janet! Chili powder is a blend of ground chili peppers and spices like cumin and garlic, offering a balanced spicy-savory flavor used in Tex-Mex dishes. Ancho chili powder specifically comes from dried ancho chilies, known for their fruity, mildly spicy flavor ideal for Mexican sauces and marinades. And then chili seasoning has even more flavors added to it (aka this recipe!). Ancho could work, but it’ll be a bit spicy!
The perfect vegetarian chili recipe I have been looking for, Thank you
So happy to hear it, Victor! Thanks for letting us know how it went! 😀
Left out cocoa powder (didn’t have any), & used onion salt (didn’t have onion powder), & this came out amazing anyways! Definitely the best tasting chili I’ve made yet! I will continue to use this recipe, & forget the packaged stuff!
I’m so happy to hear it! Enjoy!!
Please, we need more information about the ‘Chile Powder’ ingredient. I reviewed your previous answer to this question in the comments. The question is: What kind of Chillis are used in McCormick seasoning???
Chili powder can include many types of chili, like Aleppo, ancho, cayenne, chipotle, chile de árbol, jalapeño, New Mexico, pasilla, and piri piri chili peppers. For McCormick specifically, they only say “Chili Pepper” so it’s hard to know exactly which they’re using!
Good evening, I like this recipe, it looks good. My question is how much of the masa harina do I add to the chili? Thank you.
About 2 to 4 tablespoons, depending on the recipe!
Quick question. Do you use regular oregano or Mexican Oregano? They both have a distinctively different taste.
Thank you 🙂
I used regular oregano for this one because it’s often easier for folks to find!
I had the same question! Glad you asked and glad she replied! Thanks to both!
Delicious.
A very good, and easy, recipe!