This is it: our signature chili spice blend. We use this homemade chili seasoning for everything, from fries, to sweet potatoes, steak tips, pork chops, and more. It's a versatile seasoning mix we can guarantee you're going to love! Mix it up in minutes, then keep it with your other seasonings for up to a year.

Jump to:
- Chili Seasoning Ingredients
- How to Make Chili Seasoning
- Watch the Video
- How long can I store homemade chili seasoning?
- What can I use chili seasoning for?
- How many pounds of meat should I use with this seasoning?
- Recipe Tips
- Storage Instructions
- If you're making chili, you may also find these useful...
- Our Signature Chili Seasoning Mix
- Feedback
If you're here, you're probably like us: you know homemade spice blends are just better. This homemade chili seasoning mix is by far our personal favorite for how versatile it is. Yes, it's great in any chili recipe, but you can also use it as a rub for chicken, pork, beef, and even seafood! It's easily doubled or tripled and keeps well when stored. Skip buying the store-bought chili seasoning packets, which may contain preservatives and other unnecessary add-ins: you'll want to make this homemade chili seasoning recipe every time!
We won't keep you in suspense. Let's get started!
Chili Seasoning Ingredients
- Chili Powder: Chili powder itself is a blend of spices, typically including ground chili pepper, salt, and additional spices depending on the brand (usually paprika and garlic powder). This is the key ingredient to making your own chili seasoning mix. If you don't have chili powder, you can use a blend of sweet and/or smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. You could also use chile powder, which is just ground chilis with no other spices added.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder has a unique garlicky flavor without the need for fresh garlic. It's always a winner when added to a seasoning mix, and really rounds out the flavor.
- White Sugar: White sugar will add a sweetness to the seasoning mix, but that's not all! If you use your chili seasoning as a rub for meat, the sugar will help the exterior of the meat caramelize when cooking. This enables it to develop a delicious crust. You could also use brown sugar if you prefer, but brown sugar clumps up more, so keep that in mind.
- Kosher Salt: Definitely use kosher salt and not table salt. Kosher salt adds much better flavor to food, while table salt can sometimes take on a metallic taste when cooked. You could also use sea salt, but we prefer the fine grind of kosher over the flakier grind of sea salt for a seasoning mix like this.
- Ground Black Pepper: You could also use white pepper, if you'd like. They vary slightly in flavor but both will taste great.

How to Make Chili Seasoning

Step 1
Add all of your chili seasoning ingredients to a glass bowl. Stir everything together until completely combined, then use immediately in a pot of chili (or any other recipe you want!) or store in an airtight container, such as a jar, in your pantry until ready to use.
Watch the Video
How long can I store homemade chili seasoning?
Homemade spice mixes have a long shelf life. You can store this chili seasoning blend for up to 1 year if kept properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, such as your pantry with your other seasonings.
What can I use chili seasoning for?
It goes without saying this chili seasoning is great for a big batch of chili, but you can use it for so much more. Below are a few of our favorite recipes to use with chili seasoning. Try them out!
How many pounds of meat should I use with this seasoning?
Our chili seasoning mix creates a little under 3 Tablespoons of seasoning. Typically, 1 Tablespoon of seasoning is perfect for 1 pound of ground beef, ground turkey, or other meat, but your taste preferences may vary. We recommend using at least 1 Tablespoon.
Recipe Tips
- We use Badia seasoning to make our chili seasoning recipe, but you can use your favorite brand.
- While this chili seasoning mix is of course fantastic in chili, we typically also use it as a rub for chicken, pork, seafood, and even beef. We love it as a homemade taco seasoning. Experiment and enjoy!
- This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. Make as much or as little as you can use in a year!
- Want a little extra spice? You can always add a pinch of red pepper flakes to kick up the heat.
Storage Instructions
Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a jar, in the pantry for up to 1 year.

If you're making chili, you may also find these useful...
- How to Dice an Onion
- How to Slice an Onion Crosswise
- How to Slice Bell Peppers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!

Our Signature Chili Seasoning Mix
Equipment
- Jar or other airtight container
- Bowl and fork or whisk
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ Tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 Tablespoon garlic powder, ½ Tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper to a bowl.
- Mix the ingredients until fully combined, then store in an airtight container in your pantry for up to 1 year.
Notes
- We use Badia seasoning, but you can use any brand.
- Try it as a rub for chicken, beef, pork, seafood, etc.!
- You can easily double or triple the recipe by simply doubling or tripling the ingredients.
- Kick up the heat with red pepper flakes.
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