Best Chili Seasoning Recipe

My breaking point was a sad, salty chili made from a packet. I knew there had to be a better way! So I started tinkering with my spice rack to create the perfect chili seasoning recipe. This is it. It’s smoky, warm (but not too spicy!), and makes your chili taste like it’s been simmering for hours. It’s my go-to secret for incredible flavor, and once you try it, you’ll never go back to those little packets again. Promise.

What Goes in the Jar

Don’t let the list look intimidating! It’s just a handful of spices, and I bet you have almost all of them hanging out in your cupboard right now. No weird stuff here.

• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika (Seriously, make sure it’s smoked, not sweet. It’s a world of difference!)
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (This is your heat control! Adjust as you see fit.)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1 teaspoon cornstarch (I always add this; it helps thicken the chili just a little.)

It’s Basically Just Dumping and Shaking

You’re not really “cooking” here. You’re just mixing. This is the easiest part, I promise.

Step 1: Pull Out Your Spices

First, just pull everything out of the cupboard and line it up on the counter. It makes life so much easier than digging around for one thing at a time. And do yourself a favor: sniff your spices, especially the cumin and chili powder. If they don’t smell like much, they’re not going to taste like much. Freshness is a huge part of what makes this homemade chili seasoning mix so good.

Step 2: Find a Jar and Get Mixing

I don’t even bother with a bowl for this. Just find a clean, dry glass jar with a lid that seals tight. Start measuring and dumping everything straight into the jar. It feels a bit like you’re making a magic potion, which is half the fun. Once everything’s in, screw the lid on tight and shake it like you mean it. Give it a good 30 seconds until the color is uniform and there are no clumps. You can even put on a good song and make it a whole thing.

Step 3: Stick It In the Pantry

That’s it. You’re done. Once it looks like one consistent, reddish-brown powder of future deliciousness, it’s ready. Just store it in your pantry or a dark cupboard away from the stove. I usually slap a piece of masking tape on the lid with the date, but honestly, I go through a batch so fast it’s never an issue.

Make It Your Own: A Few Easy Tweaks

This recipe is just a starting point. The best part about a DIY chili spice blend is that you can tweak it to be perfect for you.

• If you have kids (or just don’t like spice): This can easily be a mild chili seasoning recipe for family. Just dial the cayenne way back to 1/4 teaspoon, or even just a tiny pinch. All the smoky, savory flavor will still be there without the fire.
• If you’re a heat-seeker: Go for it! Add another half-teaspoon of cayenne or even some crushed red pepper flakes to really kick it up.
• If you love smoky flavors: Add another teaspoon of the smoked paprika. You can’t go wrong.

Recipes You May Like

• Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
• Apple Cobbler Recipe

Seriously, It’s Worth the Five Minutes

I know, I know. It looks like a recipe just to make an ingredient for another recipe. But trust me. The five minutes it takes you to shake this jar together will completely change your chili. No more boring, salty, packet chili. Ever. This is one of those tiny-effort, massive-reward things that makes you feel like you really have your life together in the kitchen.

I really hope you try it. If you do, I’d love for you to come back and tell me what you think in the comments! Tell me what you put it in!

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Yield: 12 tablespoons

chili seasoning recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ditch the salty store-bought packets! This easy homemade chili seasoning recipe is smoky, rich, and ready in 5 minutes. Perfect flavor every time.

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Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)

Instructions

Step 1

grab all your spices and just put them on the counter it makes life easier

Step 2

dump everything right into a clean jar no need for a bowl less washing up that way

Step 3

put the lid on super tight and just shake it really good for like 30 seconds till it all looks like the same color

Notes

for less spicy chili just use a little bit of cayenne or none at all

want it smokier add a bit more smoked paprika its so good

store it in a dark cupboard away from the stove keeps it fresh longer

a good starting point is 2 big spoonfuls for a pound of ground beef or turkey

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 43Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 513mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

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