This easy homemade Chili Seasoning recipe delivers tons of bold, zesty flavor to your favorite chili recipes (or even beans, veggies, soup, and beyond). Make it mild or spicy - your choice! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)
This homemade chili seasoning blend is all about the flavor!
It's ready in just a few minutes with simple pantry spices you probably have on hand. The flavor is so savory, smoky, and earthy. No store-bought packets needed!
Making your own sauces and seasonings is a great way to save money and skip the additives and preservatives. You control the ingredients, so you can fine-tune the salt and spice just how you like it.
Best of all, this seasoning mix is super versatile and not limited to chili! It delivers warmth and depth to chili, soup, tacos, vegetables, beans, potatoes, casseroles... you name it. Sprinkle it anywhere you want a bold, flavorful kick!
Ingredients for Chili Seasoning
For this recipe, you'll stir together in a small bowl:
- Chili powder (or ancho powder): I use American-style chili powder, which is a blend of mostly red chili but also includes other spices. But you can also use ancho chili powder which is made from dried poblano peppers. This is a milder powder that's earthy but slightly sweet. Either works great, so go with whatever flavor you're trying to achieve. (Classic vs. sweeter.)
- Ground cumin
- Smoked paprika: Or you can substitute regular paprika, but I enjoy the taste of smoked.
- Dried oregano
- Onion powder: Feel free to add even more onion and garlic powder if you enjoy the flavor.
- Garlic powder
- All-purpose flour: Be sure to use gluten-free if needed. (I use Bob's Red Mill all-purpose gluten-free flour.) This helps slightly thicken the chili, but you can leave it out if preferred.
- Salt: I use fine grain salt. You can also add black pepper to taste.
Notes
- This recipe is a chili seasoning blend, not a plain chili powder recipe.
- Some recipes use just chili powder to season their chili, but this is an expanded version that's deeper and richer, delivering layers of bold, zesty flavor.
Customizing
Make it spicy: For extra heat and a spicier chili, add the optional pinch of cayenne pepper. Start with an eighth teaspoon, and add even more if you like it hot. Or you can add red pepper flakes or try dried chipotle powder for a smoky twist.
Adjusting flavors: The dominant flavors of classic chili seasoning blends are chili powder and cumin. The other spices can be increased or decreased to your taste. So feel free to use more or less onion, garlic, oregano, and paprika.
Other flavors: For different flavor variations, add a little ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, powdered espresso, coriander, ground cloves, or allspice. These can add even more interesting elements and depth to your chili!
Sweet: If you prefer a touch of sweetness with your spice, add brown sugar or coconut sugar to taste. This can help balance the heat and bitterness of some chilis.
Salt note: I include a half teaspoon of salt because this helps bring out all the flavors of the spices and seasonings. But feel free to increase or decrease however you see fit.
Serving
One batch of this recipe yields about 4 tablespoons (a quarter cup), which is equal to about one store-bought packet of seasoning. (I designed this recipe to be a one-for-one swap for the chili seasoning packets.) So it's a perfect amount for one regular batch of chili, or roughly 5-6 servings. Like this thick & hearty Black Lentil Chili! But you can certainly use less seasoning if you prefer.
Storing
Store this seasoning in an airtight container at room temperature. I store mine in a sealed mason glass jar in the pantry. Feel free to double, triple, or quadruple the recipe because I find it keeps well for a few months!
For more inspiration, also browse all vegan sauce & seasoning recipes or chili recipes.
Chili Seasoning Recipe (Easy!)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder (or ancho powder*)
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. all-purpose flour (GF if desired)
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Spicy version (optional):
- Add 1/8 tsp. chipotle powder or cayenne pepper (more or less), or black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl or jar. Stir or shake until thoroughly combined.
- Use it immediately or store it in an airtight container for later use. (I find it keeps for several months, so I label it and keep it in a sealed jar in the pantry.)
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)
Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.
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