Now that you have this easy homemade chili seasoning recipe, you’ll never need to buy a chili seasoning packet again. DIY spices are healthier, delicious, and simple.
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One of the things that I’ve realized over the years is that food doesn’t have to be complicated. To read food magazines, watch TV shows, or follow food influencers on social media, you might think otherwise. But, really?
Good food is pretty simple.
Take for instance one of the easiest meals on the planet to make, Easy Chicken and Green Beans. There are only four ingredients! Simple, delicious, and easy to prep. The secret?
The secret is in the seasoning.
If you’ve got some homemade seasoning mixes on hand, you can combine any proteins, beans, and veggies together to create a great meal. In my recent survey, many of you commented how much you love the spice mixes here on Good Cheap Eats.
Well, I’ve got a new one for you to add to your bag of tricks!
Chili Seasoning
Chili Seasoning is one of the most common mixes you’ll find packaged commercially — and often one of the most expensive in a fancy pants store — but it’s also one of the easiest and cheapest to make yourself!
With just a handful of herbs and spices, you can prepare a Homemade Chili Seasoning in just minutes. Keep it on hand to flavor chili, of course, but remember that it’s delicious in stews, casseroles, sauces, and roasted meats.
Any recipe that calls for a packet of chili seasoning is a recipe you can make with your own homemade version.
Homemade Chili Seasoning
When I was growing up, homemade chili was a regular Sunday lunch. After church, my mom would stop at the grocery store and send me in to grab canned beans, ground beef, and a packet of seasoning mix. Back at home, we’d cook up the meat, stir in the beans and spices, and let it simmer for 30 to 60 minutes.
I remember how good it tasted, especially ladled over a bowl of Fritos and topped with cheese. So yummy!
Now, you can easily enjoy a Sunday bowl of chili — without the packet of sodium, MSG, and preservatives.
I confess. I still like it over Fritos. 😉
What spices go in chili?
Traditional chili spices include
- chili powder (ground, dried chiles)
- garlic powder
- onion flakes
- oregano
- salt
- pepper
- cayenne
- cumin
Is taco seasoning the same as chili seasoning?
There is definitely some overlap between chili and taco seasoning mixes, isn’t there? It really depends on what you like. My chili seasoning has more chili powder in comparison to other ingredients than in my taco seasoning.
How do you make chili seasoning?
The process for making chili seasoning is super simple.
- Measure out the herbs and spices.
- Combine them in an airtight container.
- Store the spice mix in a cool, dry place.
- To use: stir several tablespoons into a batch of chili and adjust to taste.
How to make this good and cheap:
Here are some of the strategies you can use to make this recipe more economical:
- Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. When I find regular kitchen staples on sale, I buy a lot. I’m currently using a price book to track prices and that’s saving me money. For this recipe, keeping an eye on the price of bulk spices can help keep the price down.
- Buying in bulk – Using dried herbs and spices within 3 to 6 months is key to maintaining their flavor. It would make sense to buy small bottles, however small bottles are pricier than larger ones. For herbs and spices that I use in great quantity, I buy large packages from Costco, Smart & Final, Vitacost, or Amazon. I fill my small jar and then store the larger package in the freezer to extend its shelf life. For spices I use infrequently, I buy small amounts from the bulk jars at the health food store. In this way, I always have potent dried herbs and spices.
How I make this Chili Seasoning Recipe easily:
This recipe really couldn’t be easier than it is, just mix up the spices in a bowl! But having the right kitchen tools can really make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Over time, I’ve honed my collection so that they are perfect for my needs.
For this recipe, I rely on a supply of mason jars with plastic lids for storing my spice mixes.
If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
Chili Seasoning
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chile powder or ground chile
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dry onion flakes
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine all the herbs and spices until well mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- To use: stir 1 to 2 tablespoons mixture into a pot of chili. Can also be used in soups, stews, and sauces.
Notes
- Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. When I find regular kitchen staples on sale, I buy a lot. I’m currently using a price book to track prices and that’s saving me money. For this recipe, keeping an eye on the price of bulk spices can help keep the price down.
- Buying in bulk – Using dried herbs and spices within 3 to 6 months is key to maintaining their flavor. It would make sense to buy small bottles, however small bottles are pricier than larger ones. For herbs and spices that I use in great quantity, I buy large packages from Costco, Smart & Final, Vitacost, or Amazon. I fill my small jar and then store the larger package in the freezer to extend its shelf life. For spices I use infrequently, I buy small amounts from the bulk jars at the health food store. In this way, I always have potent dried herbs and spices.
Nutrition
Michelle C
Delicious recipe! I combine this and the taco seasoning recipe. My 12 y/o son used this seasoning mix when he created a chili recipe.
I used the check boxes as I added each ingredient. Keep the boxes, please. 🙂
Jessica – thank you for another great recipe. Well done! I appreciate all that you do.
Aubrey
Love your recipes! How come the carbs are so high?
Jessica Fisher
I ran the calculations again. Usually spices don’t have much in the way of carbs and calories. Any present here would be due to the onion flakes and chili powder, I imagine.
Pat
Can’t wait to add this mix to my growing bottles and jars of your blends and mixes. They are all so good.
Jessica Fisher
Let me know what you think!