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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.
by 2 T chili powder
what does it consist of ?
it is definitely not the cayenne
Hi Joan! If you’re located in the U.S. chili powder is a common spice mix that’s sold in virtually every grocery store. It’s a mix of a few different types of chili! 🙂
Chili powder is its own spice that you can purchase
I want to triple the recipe. How much mix do I use for 1 batch of chili?
1 batch of this seasoning mix is for 1 batch of chili 🙂 If you triple this recipe, you’d just use a third of it per batch.
Great flavor !
This is a lot of powder and its equivalent to just 1 packet of McCormick chili seasoning? Ive made close to 2 ins of hamburger meat so doubling this recipe is just so much powder it seems. I wanted to have the chili done for my husbands lunch in the morning but im thinking i should just run to the store after dropping him off n going home to finish the chili then on way to my doc appt drop his lunch off to him but doing that means either he eats really late or i go to town really early, sigh, im just unsure what to do.
Yep, we measured this recipe against a packet of store-bought and they both came out to be the exact weight measurement!
I understood that. How many teaspoons or tablespoons does one batch make?
I want to make some to give to others. So I need to tell them how much of the mix is needed for one batch of chili!
About 5 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon! Kind of an odd measurement, but it’s exactly the amount of one packet of the seasoning mix 🙂
I wanted to let you know that I made your recipe and added it to my chili and it was GREAT! I have tried some other homemade seasoning recipes but they just aren’t that flavorful. It is the best so far! I won’t make any other ones now that I have made yours! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Thanks for the sweet review Janet, glad you enjoyed you chili!
This is a delicious seasoning. I have been using McCormick chili packets for years, but we have changed to a keto diet so a recipe with no added flour or sugar is perfect. The flavor may even be better than the packets. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
So glad you loved the seasoning Sasha, thanks for sharing!
Also keto here. Did you skip the cocoa powder and if so, was it noticeably missing?
Loved this! I added masa rina as a thickener and it worked really well. I added it to one canned of fire roasted diced tomatoes, can of corn, kidney beans drained and rinsed also added some chopped cabbage in there and about a cup of some homemade broth I had. I served it over corn chips with cheese. Can’t wait to use the leftovers for other recipes.
This is the first time I made chili with this seasoning recipe. My family loved it with buttermilk biscuits and cottage cheese. They prefer a little bit of a cold cottage cheese corner instead of sour cream. Personal preference. I made the first single batch and then I made a triple batch. I measured out the 1.25 oz. with a scale on a square of wax paper. Made a twist and tied with string (bow for easy opening). And put the 3 twists in a jar with cover. No shaking, measuring or guessing. Just open the wax paper twist and pour in. So, 3 pots of chili without 10 spice bottles on the counter every time. Has anyone ever added a teeny bit of instant coffee to the pot?
Do you need to add water (like the packet) when adding mix to meat after cooking?
You don’t need to, but it can be helpful to make sure the seasoning coats everything well!
Hi! Is there a way to make this the mild version?
You could try to find a mild chili seasoning to add to the seasoning mix, or adjust the amount you use when cooking!