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This homemade chili seasoning is my go-to to add the perfectly spiced punch to my chili recipes! I’ve packed with all the good seasonings, like smoked paprika, dried lemon peel, and cumin—it’s the perfect balance of heat and flavor!
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Pin ItEasy Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe
I find there’s nothing better than a warm, rich, and comforting bowl of chili, whether it be meat or vegetarian, and I find this chili seasoning just adds that finishing touch to punch up the flavor. It can easily be made at home, and in fact, I bet you have all the ingredients in your spice cabinet right now. I find having a batch of this seasoning on hand is a complete lifesaver and cheaper than buying store-bought.
Not to be confused with taco seasoning, chili seasoning is a mix of 5-8 spices, including chili powder, cumin, garlic, oregano, and others. Chili seasoning is similar to homemade taco seasoning and fajita seasoning, with many of the same ingredients, but has more of an emphasis on chili powder.
Tips for Beginners
- Taste test. Chili powder can vary in heat from brand to brand, so make sure to give yours a taste before making your chili. If the chili powder you are using is spicy, you can reduce or eliminate the jalapeño pepper from this recipe.
- Use fresh spices. For optimum flavor, use fresh spices. If your spices have been sitting in your spice cabinet for over 6 months, it is time to toss them.
Homemade Chili Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ancho chili pepper powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried cilantro
- 2 tsp smoked paprika regular paprika also works
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried jalapeño pepper optional
- 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp dried lemon peel
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl.2 tbsp ancho chili pepper powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp dried cilantro, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried jalapeño pepper, 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano, ½ tsp ground black pepper, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ¼ tsp dried lemon peel
- Keep in an airtight container, in a cool dry place, up to 3 months.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How To Make Homemade Chili Seasoning – Step By Step
Combine the ingredients: Whisk together 2 tbsp ancho chili pepper powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp dried cilantro, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried jalapeño pepper, 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano, ½ tsp ground black pepper, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, and ¼ tsp dried lemon peel in a medium bowl.
Store: Transfer to a container or Ziplock bag and store.
How to Store
Store chili seasoning in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place, up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade chili seasoning doesn’t just marry well with chili; I find myself sprinkling it on breakfast potatoes and these grilled ranch potatoes to add more flavor. I also like to add it to Mom’s tomato soup for a change of pace.
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