Homemade Chili Seasoning ~ We Love delicious Food, Recipes, and Cooking Techniques

This homemade chili seasoning is filled with all the best herbs and spices to elevate your meal! Once you make your own delicious blend, you won’t want storebought again!

I love making seasoning mixtures at home because I have control over the flavors and they’re free of preservatives! Homemade fajita seasoning, blackened seasoning, and Italian seasoning recipes are must-haves for your cooking arsenal. You’ll have to try them out next!

Herbs and spices mixed together to make chili seasoning in a small white bowl.

Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe

People always ask me what the secret to my best-ever chili is, and this is it! It’s really no secret at all, just a blend of herbs and spices that I’ve perfected over the years. It’s savory and complex with the best pinch of spice- ready to make each bite of beans, meat, and veggies absolutely mouthwatering. Plus, this chili seasoning is made with simple ingredients you can find in your spice rack so there’s no grocery trip required!

Not only is it super easy to make your own blend of chili seasoning, but it’s fun too! You get to taste test along the way and create a masterpiece that no storebought package can recreate! Trust me, you’ll make the absolute best chili with these herbs and spices. They smell so good while they’re cooking! Homemade spice mixes really are a game-changer. You’ll have to try out my poultry seasoning and seasoning salt recipes next! They come in handy for so many different recipes.

What is in Chili Seasoning?

It varies depending on the brand or recipe you use, but this is my favorite blend! I like to make sure it’s nice and savory with the perfect dash of spice. Measurements for each of the spices listed below can be found in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.

Chili Powder: No chili seasoning recipe would be complete without chili powder! This acts as the base of the seasoning and gives it bright flavor with a hint of warm spice.
Paprika: A must-add for the sweet spice. If you want your chili to taste smoky rather than sweet, swap this out for smoked paprika instead.
Oregano: Oregano adds a complex flavor to the mix and amazing aromatics! It’s fresh and peppery.
Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor to each bite.
Garlic Powder: Garlic helps to balance flavors and make the seasoning mixture perfectly savory.
Onion Powder: For a pop of sharp, delicious flavor.
Cayenne: You can adjust this to taste, but I love the heat that cayenne pepper adds!
Salt and Black Pepper: Both enhance the overall flavor of your chili.

Is There Any Real Difference Between Taco Seasoning and Chili Seasoning?

When it comes to chili seasoning and my taco seasoning recipe, the difference lies in the ingredient ratios. Taco seasoning tends to be a little more mild because it’s used for flavoring taco meat rather than a large pot of beans, vegetables, and meat. Since chili has a higher liquid content, I add more spice so the flavor doesn’t become diluted. You can use chili seasoning interchangeably with taco seasoning, but you may end up with a little spicier ground beef or turkey.

How Do I Make Chili Seasoning From Scratch?

It’s super easy! All you have to do is mix up a few simple herbs and spices and then store until ready to use! See more storage tips below.

Stir Ingredients Together: In a small bowl stir together chili powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Store: Store in an airtight container and use for all of your favorite chili recipes!

Top-down view of chili seasoning ingredients added to a stoneware bowl.

Tips for Making Seasoning Blends at Home

Here are a few ways to ensure your chili seasoning turns out as delicious as possible and stays fresh in your pantry!

Use Dried Spices: Always use dried spices and never fresh when making a seasoning blend at home. Fresh herbs and spices won’t store well and may even turn moldy after a short time. If you use dried spices to create your seasoning mix, with proper storage, it will last for months or even years.
Adjust Spice: If you aren’t a fan of spice, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper added to your chili seasoning mix or even omit it altogether. On the other hand, if you like it hot, adding red pepper flakes and more cayenne to your seasoning mix will give you that delicious burn you crave!
How Much Seasoning Does This Recipe Make? The general rule is usually 2 tablespoons of seasoning per every pound of meat, and this recipe makes just over 4 tablespoons. One recipe of this chili seasoning is typically enough to flavor chili for 6-8 people.

How Long Will My Seasoning Mix Last?

If you used dried herbs and spices and store it in a cool, dry place, your chili seasoning will stay fresh for months!

At Room Temperature: Store seasoning blend in an airtight jar or container. In a cool, dry place, homemade seasoning blends will stay fresh for 6 months to a year. Because homemade chili seasoning has such a long shelf life, I always like to make double or triple batches so I can use it all the time!

Top-down view of chili seasoning in a white bowl with a wooden spoon in it.