Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe
This Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend with a balanced mix of bold and smoky flavors and just a hint of molasses, it’s key to the best chili.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ tablespoons onion granules
- 1 ½ tablespoons garlic granules
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne, optional
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a medium-sized bowl.
- Mix everything together until combined.
- Use or store the chili seasoning.
Notes
Even though it sounds simple, the freshness of your spices makes a huge difference in how your chili turns out. Old spices lose their strength and complexity over time, and since this blend relies entirely on dried ingredients, the quality of each one really matters.
Spice level: For a milder blend, I stick to just one-eighth teaspoon of cayenne or leave it out completely if I want no heat at all.
Optional add-ins: Sometimes I switch it up with extras like cinnamon, cocoa powder, red pepper flakes, coriander, parsley, or thyme depending on what I’m cooking.
Southwest vs chili seasoning: Southwest and chili seasoning are close in flavor, and I’ll swap one for the other if I’m out of something.
Yield: This recipe makes about two-thirds of a cup, which is enough for four or five batches of chili.
How to use: I usually add two to two and a half tablespoons of the mix for every pound of meat or beans in my chili.
Pairing: This spice blend works especially well with tomato-based chili recipes.
Make-Ahead: You can make this spice blend several days or weeks before you’re ready to enjoy it.
How to Store: Transfer the spice mix to an airtight glass jar or container, seal it shut, and store it in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 384kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 14gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 11218mgPotassium: 1636mgFiber: 27gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 14464IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 565mgIron: 21mg