Homemade Chili Seasoning

Homemade Chili Seasoning is easy to make. You know exactly what goes into the mix and can control how spicy or salty it is. It also is a fraction of a cost of prepackaged mixes. Great edible gift!

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Chili is one of my husband’s favourite meals. For years, every time we made chili, one of us had to go online and find out what spices to use. And every time we kept forgetting to bookmark the pages, so no chili ever tasted the same. It was infuriating, never being able to know what we’ll be eating. Will it be delicious and savoury or too spicy, too overwhelming, or maybe underwhelming?

A few years ago I gave up and started buying premixed chili seasoning packets. This is the one I liked buying, it’s Canadian but I’m sure there are similar equivalent in other countries.

Finally, a few months ago I decided that since I am a food blogger after all, I just have to create my own Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe. And after a few tries I am so happy I embarked on that journey. 

My Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix is spicy, warming, savoury, and delicious. I love knowing exactly how much salt is in the mixture. I love the super fun addition of cocoa powder and cinnamon, they just add such a wonderful and unique note to chili without overwhelming it. 

This Chili Seasoning Recipe is easy to make and it is also much cheaper than buying packets. It’s a great little gift if you’d like to share it with friends and family, just make a big batch, mix well and transfer to a small jar, add a cute ribbon and a label for a unique edible gift!

Ingredients for Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix

There are many different variations for chili seasoning, but this is the way I make mine.

• Chili powder
• Black pepper
• Garlic salt
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Dried oregano
• Cumin
• Cinnamon
• Cocoa powder

Yes, cocoa powder and cinnamon are slightly unusual ingredients. Cocoa powder doesn’t make the chili taste like chocolate but it rounds up the flavour a little bit. There’s also just a hint of cinnamon and contrary to its usual uses, it adds an extra savoury note to the final dish.

Questions and answers about Chili Seasoning

Can you use different amounts of spices?

Of course, you can, but the resulting flavour will be different. 

I have tried making this Chili Spice Mix with as little as 1 teaspoon of chili powder and as much as 1 tablespoon of chili powder. I have to say, 1 tablespoon was a bit (ok, a lot) too much and too spicy for my taste. I usually use between 1.5 and 2 teaspoons of chili powder for my mix. 

I strongly recommend not omitting cinnamon. It may sound strange but it’s just oh, so delicious. If you are worried about using it, start with a smaller quantity.

I also don’t use a lot of salt in my cooking, so you may need to add extra salt if you find this blend to be not salty enough.

Can you make double or triple batch?

Yes, you can definitely increase the amount of all the ingredients and make a bigger batch. Just remember that the spices lose their potency overtime. I prefer mixing only triple batch at a time, so that it can be used up quite fast.

One batch of this Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix is approximately 3.5 tablespoons.

How to use Chili Seasoning

Even though this spice mix is called Chili Seasoning, it doesn’t mean that it can only be used for chili. It is a versatile spice blend that will add a lot of flavour and depth to many dishes.

Add this homemade Chili Seasoning to:

• Chili, well, obviously!
• Tacos (steak, chicken, fish, vegetarian)
• Fajitas
• Rice and beans
• Just baked beans
• Re-friend beans
• Tortilla soup
• Queso dip
• Quinoa

More homemade seasoning mixes

• Khmeli Suneli Recipe- Georgian Spice Mix