Make the best Chili Seasoning Substitute. Don't buy store-bought chili seasoning packets! This is a substitute for McCormick chili seasoning!
Have you been looking for a substitute for chili seasoning packet? This recipe is simple and makes the best pot of chili. Soon you will be sitting around the table with friends or family enjoying a comforting, big bowl of chili!
Try a few more of my homemade spice mixes! We always make a big batch of Homemade Taco Seasoning and the Best Burger Seasoning to have on hand for quick dinners. Make this Italian Seasoning Substitute next time you are making your favorite Italian dishes.
Another couple of recipes with homemade seasoning are Seasoning for Sautéed Green Beans and Frozen Green Beans. They are simple recipes, but super delicious!
All of these are easy recipes that can save you money and time at the grocery store.
Don't forget to take a look at my Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe. It is the real deal! I even did a side-by-side comparison!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Use up some of those spices that are sitting in your spice cabinet for this chili seasoning mix substitute.
- Add this seasoning to your favorite chili recipe.
- This homemade chili seasoning mix is even better than the store-bought versions.
- You can save a lot of money by making your own homemade seasonings with just a few common spices.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make this chili seasoning packet substitute. This blend of spices makes the best homemade chili mix packets.
Chili Powder is the main ingredient and gives the chili that tangy chili flavor.
Onion Powder adds a depth of flavor to the chili.
Garlic Powder brings an umami taste to the chili.
Ground Cumin adds warmness and a little bit of citrus tang.
Salt maximizes all the flavor profiles in the seasoning.
Black Pepper adds a little spice.
Cayenne Pepper is optional to make the chili spicy.
Crushed Red Chili Peppers are optional too. Again, this will make your chili spicy.
How to Make the Best Chili Seasoning Substitute
Here are some quick visual instructions. To print the recipe for chili seasoning with ingredient measurements check out the recipe card below!
Measure all the ingredients and add them to an airtight container until you are ready to make chili.
Add the chili seasoning to 1 ½ pounds of cooked ground beef (or ground turkey) before adding the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, and other ingredients. Stir it around the ground beef for 30 seconds before adding the other chili ingredients.
Add the rest of your chili ingredients and simmer on low until the chili is ready to serve.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Double the recipe and make a double batch of chili if you are feeding a crowd (about 3 pounds of ground beef).
- You can also double the recipe and use half for your chili and save the rest for the next time chili is on the menu.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Mason jars, plastic containers or even a ziplock bag are great for storing your homemade chili seasoning recipe. It is best to store it in a dark place and out of direct sunlight.
Substitutions
There aren't a lot of substitutions for the chili seasoning ingredients because the spices are the very basic building blocks of flavor.
- Garlic Salt is a good substitute to replace both the garlic powder and salt.
Variations
This recipe is basically a copycat McCormick chili seasoning recipe. However, feel free to add your own favorite chili seasonings to make a customized chili spice blend!
- Mild: For mild chili seasoning omit the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.
- Medium: Add just a pinch of cayenne to add only a small kick of spiciness.
- Spicy: To make the chili extra spicy add extra red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.
- Smokey: Add ¼-1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika to give your chili a smokey flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store-bought packets are convenient, but making your own chili seasoning at home is really easy and a great way to use some of those spices you have laying around. Start with chili powder as your base of your seasoning. Next you will want to include onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Ground cumin adds warmth and a bit of tanginess. You can also add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you want to add some heat to your chili.
Taco seasoning and chili seasoning are two very different flavors. First, try looking in your spice rack to see if you can make a homemade chili seasoning substitute. Look for chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper. If you have all those spices I would use them to make a homemade chili seasoning. Otherwise, you could use half a packet of taco seasoning and add extra chili powder to the chili.
Chili seasoning is primarily made with chili powder and a few other spices to add a dynamic flavor profile. Adding onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper rounds out a nice homemade chili seasoning. If you want to include a spicy kick, try adding cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
📖 Recipe
Chili Seasoning Substitute
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spicy)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red chili peppers (optional for spicy)
Instructions
- Measure all the ingredients. Store the mixed seasoning in an air-tight container until ready to use it.
- Add it to 1½ pounds of cooked ground beef (or ground turkey). Stir it around with the ground beef for 30 seconds before adding the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and other chili ingredients.
- Add your other chili ingredients and simmer until ready to serve.
Notes
- Double the recipe and make a double batch of chili if you are feeding a crowd (about 3 pounds of ground beef). Or save half in an air-tight container for next time you make chili.
- Storage: Mason jars, plastic containers or even a ziplock bag are great for storing your homemade chili seasoning recipe. It is best to store it in a dark place and out of direct sunlight.
Food Safety
- Cook ground beef to a minimum temperature of 160 °F. The beef should be fully cooked without any pink left.
- Do not use the same cooking utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash your hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods of time.
dana says
Nothing beats a homemade blend, honestly. Love the balance in this one! Will definitely be using it again.
Luci Petlack says
This looks like such a great balance of flavors! I can't wait to try it!
Traci says
Perfect flavors for delicious chili every time! So easy too! Thanks for sharing another winner 🙂
Kate says
Worked very well for my favorite 3 bean chili recipe. I wouldn't have known to use crushed red pepper flake in chili seasoning. Loved the additional spice it added. Thank you!
Gina Abernathy says
Love this homemade blend of spices for my chili.