This chili seasoning recipe made with pantry staple spices is the best and most frugal way to spice up your pot of chili. Skip the packet from the store and use this homemade chili seasoning instead!

Cold weather calls for making chili, like my quick and easy Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili. Oh my goodness, it is so good, especially when it is served with fresh Homemade Skillet Cornbread!
But what about the chili seasoning that makes it so good? Rather than buying chili seasoning packets, I like to make my own homemade spice mixes since I am all about avoiding unnecessary fillers and additives in my food.
In fact, I make my own Homemade Italian Seasoning and Homemade Poultry Seasoning, as well as this Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix.
HOMEMADE CHILI SEASONING RECIPE
From bean chili to turkey chili to beef chili to White Chicken Chili, this blend will work in your favorite chili recipe! Bring Sunday supper to the next level! YUM!
- Great flavor. Not only does homemade chili seasoning make a great bowl of chili, but it works well for other recipes, too!
- Easy! Just combine your spices and store them in a cool, dry cabinet.
- Frugal. Pot for pot, this homemade seasoning blend makes it much more affordable to spice up your batch of chili rather than buying store-bought seasoning packets.
- Simple ingredients. There are no gluten fillers or additives found in homemade seasoning, either!

CHILI SEASONING INGREDIENTS
Combine these 7 ingredients from your spice cabinet for the perfect chili seasoning from scratch.
- Chili Powder. The main ingredient for this chili spice blend.
- Ground Cumin. Adds a rich, deep flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper. Adds just a bit of a spicy kick!
- Garlic Powder. A staple in almost every spice mix.
- Onion Powder. Gives your chili seasoning a sweet earthiness.
- Ground Black Pepper. Adds a bit of heat and pungent aroma.
- Salt. I highly recommend THIS SALT from Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t contain MICROPLASTICS…gross, right? Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!).

HOW TO MAKE CHILI SEASONING RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Combine chili powder and the remaining ingredients in a small bowl or right in a jar. Shake well to mix!
Step 2. Store in an airtight container in a dry place (these spice jars or 4oz mason jars are perfect).
That’s all there is to it! I like to use 2 Tablespoons of chili mix per one pound of ground beef.

CHILI SPICE BLEND RECIPE NOTES
- You can adjust the spice level of this chili seasoning recipe very easily.
- Reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or skip it altogether for less heat.
- You can also add more if you want more spiciness!
- Double or triple the recipe to make big batches of this chili spice blend for future use. Then you’ll have plenty all season long!
- If you’re missing an ingredient for this recipe, don’t hesitate to make it with what you have!
- I’ve skipped onion powder and ground cumin before when I ran out. It wasn’t exactly the same, but it still worked for our dinner.
- Chili powder is the only one you don’t want to skip!
RECIPES USING CHILI SEASONINGS
This homemade chili seasoning can be, of course, used in chili of all kinds, from Vegetarian Chili to beef chili, turkey chili, or Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili.
But did you know that there are many other ways to add chili seasoning mix to recipes? Chili spices are especially yummy on potatoes and vegetables.
- Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Crispy Potato Wedges
- Homemade Hash Browns
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Easy Roasted Broccoli
- Cauliflower Rice
- Instant Pot Rice
- Perfectly Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Easy Homemade Croutons
- Scrambled Eggs
And even Whole Roasted Chicken! Your options are endless!

CHILI SEASONING FOR FLAVOR
Using chili seasoning is a great way to add a punch of flavor without adding a ton of fat or calories to the dish, like you might if you added a dressing or sauce.
Chili seasoning is also a great option for meal prepping your protein for the week. This unique blend of flavors goes well with a variety of dishes, so you can mix and match your proteins and sides to help you hit your nutrition goals without worrying about bland, boring food.
And when you make this homemade chili seasoning recipe, you can feel good about adding flavor without adding junky ingredients!
CHILI SPICE MIX FAQS
How much chili seasoning should I use for a pot of chili?
It’s best to follow the directions given with your recipe, as some recipes might be heavier on seasoning than others. But generally, you will use about 2 Tablespoons per pound of meat for a pot of chili that makes about 6 servings.
What spices are in chili seasoning?
Chili powder is the main spice ingredient in chili seasoning. Some people might add smoked paprika for a smoky taste. My recipe for Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili has the best secret ingredients (cinnamon and cocoa powder) for an extra depth of flavor! You might consider those as a delicious addition to the dried spices in your chili.
Can you use chili spice mix for taco seasoning?
You can. But my Homemade Taco Seasoning has a slightly more complex flavor with smoky paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Using chili seasoning for taco seasoning would give a simpler, less spicy flavor to Mexican-style dishes like Ground Beef Taco Meat and Tortilla Soup.
HOMEMADE CHILI SEASONING RECIPE
Take your favorite chili recipes to the next level with this DIY chili seasoning that will make you think twice before buying a packet of chili seasoning mix! If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments!
MORE HOMEMADE SEASONING RECIPES
- Cajun Seasoning
- Poultry Seasoning
- Seasoned Salt
- Montreal Steak Seasoning
- Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
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This chili seasoning recipe made with pantry staple spices is the best and most frugal way to spice up your pot of chili. Skip the packet from the store and use this homemade chili seasoning instead!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minute
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 oz 1x
- Category: Sauces/Condiments
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp chili powder (7g)
- 1 tsp cumin (3g)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt (6g)
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
1. Combine ingredients and store in an airtight container (these spice jars or 4oz mason jars are perfect).
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level of this chili seasoning very easily. Reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or skip it altogether for less heat. You can also add more if you want more spiciness!
- Double or triple the recipe to make big batches of this chili seasoning. Then you’ll have plenty all season long!
- If you’re missing an ingredient for this recipe, don’t hesitate to make it with what you have! I’ve skipped onion powder and ground cumin before when I ran out. It wasn’t exactly the same but it still worked for our dinner. Chili powder is the only one you don’t want to skip.






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