I used to use a small jar of spice blend a week (at least!) cooking for my large family at home. I decided to take it into my own hands and never looked back. This chili seasoning recipe combines flavorful ingredients without preservatives or additives. Add it to your next chili dish or spice up your scrambled eggs for breakfast!
best chili seasoning
When I started making my own spice blends from bulk ingredients, I was shocked at how much a small bag of spices from the store cost. For the price of a few tablespoons of chili powder, I could buy a half pound of spices and make them myself. Now, I make (almost) all of my spice blends myself, and my kids love helping out. A few years ago, my friend Leila Ali (yes, Mohammed Ali’s daughter!) made a delicious spice blend that we also use.
Homemade spice blends can help you save money and avoid harmful ingredients found in many premixed spices and packets. It's also a great project to make with young children because it doesn't require cutting, cooking, or heating. My kids loved measuring and mixing with me!
By making your own spice blends at home and storing them in small glass jars, you can completely revamp your spice cabinet in a day.
What's in Chili Seasoning Mix?
Stores come with expensive packets of premixed seasonings, often loaded with anti-caking agents and artificial flavors. In most cases, chili seasoning is a blend of five to eight spices, including chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano.
Chili seasoning is similar to homemade taco seasoning and fajita seasoning. It contains many of the same ingredients, but focuses more on chili powder. I like to start with good quality chili powder for the best flavor. If you like it a little spicier, you can add black pepper, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper to your chili seasoning.
Chili seasoning vs chili powder
So what is the difference between red pepper seasoning mix and red pepper powder?
Basically, all chili seasoning mixes contain chili powder along with many other ingredients. However, not all red pepper powder is part of the red pepper seasoning mixture. Red pepper powder can be made from single peppers or mixtures and can be used alone or in a spice blend.
Are you feeling DIY?
Here's a great tutorial on how to make your own chili powder by dehydrating chili peppers. You can also use red pepper if you want a spicier powder, or green pepper if you want a sweeter, milder flavor.
What are the spices in chili seasoning?
Chili powder is the key ingredient, usually a blend of cumin, garlic, onion powder, oregano and other spices. You can make it with or without salt. I prefer to make it without salt, and add salt depending on the recipe I use.
How many spoons are in a packet of chili seasoning?
If you've ever purchased a bag of chili seasoning mix, you can try making your own. Without fillings and additives, very little is needed, and the taste is much more vivid.
A chili packet contains about 1/3 cup of mix, but this often includes flour and other fillings. It is said that 2 to 3 tablespoons of homemade red pepper powder is equivalent to 1 bag of red pepper seasoning. For most recipes, I start with 1½ to 2 tablespoons per pound of meat, vegetables, or other foods I use. You can always add more flavors.
Chili Seasoning Mix Recipe
This simple chili seasoning mix includes chili powder, garlic, cumin, and onion powder for a delicious addition to any chili recipe. It goes well with other dishes too!
nutrition facts
Chili Seasoning Mix Recipe
Amount per serving (1 teaspoon)
calorie 8
calories from fat 3
% Daily Value*
province 0.3g0%
salt 19mgOne%
potassium 44mgOne%
carbohydrate 1.5gOne%
0.6 g fiberthree%
protein 0.4gOne%
Vitamin A 398IU8%
Vitamin C 0.1 mg0%
calcium 12mgOne%
steel 0.7mg4%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of this mixture to replace one packet of store-bought chili seasoning.
- Depending on the recipe, use 1½ to 2 tablespoons per pound of ground beef or other meat.
Storage and expiration date
I store this chili powder in an airtight glass jar and it will keep for up to a year. Although the first six months taste the best. Be sure to store in a cool, dark place, avoiding direct sunlight or heat.
Where to get spices
I used to buy dozens of spices at the grocery store, but now I have a dozen or so little jars of pre-mixed spices. I save a lot of time and money by using them! I buy most of my spices in bulk from Amazon's Frontier brand organic.
Chili Recipes
It's great to have on hand for a quick chili on a busy night, and it's also great for omelettes and roasted vegetables. Of course, this works well in just about any pot of chili, but here are a few recipes where we love using it!
Do you make your own spice blends? What is your favorite way to season chili? Let us know by leaving a comment!
