It’s chili cookoff season. Are you ready? Just this week two friends shared how they were cooking for a chili cookoff at their work. One was making a spicy venison chili and the other was cooking up a sweet potato chili. The key ingredient for both? Homemade chili seasoning.
Why homemade? They both knew that homemade just tastes better! Well that, and it helps when you are pinching pennies.
Several years ago when I was counting every penny coming in and going out, I learned to make homemade chili seasoning mix, and have since vowed to never go back to that store bought stuff again. First, it tastes so much better, and second, who want to eat those added preservatives anyway?!
The key to a good chili is a good chili seasoning, and there is none better than homemade. Click To TweetKey Ingredients of a Good Chili Seasoning Mix
What are the key ingredients to creating a fantastic chili seasoning mix? Three things–chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. The rest is just icing on the cake.
Want to make your chili a little spicier? Add a few more red pepper flakes or some crushed red pepper.
Want a more smokey flavor? Substitute half the crushed red pepper for chipotle chili pepper.
Are you gluten-free? Leave out the flour which is primary used to keep the seasoning mix from caking when you store it.
Chili powder is so easy to customize. There really is no right or wrong.
Our Favorite Chili Seasoning Mix Recipe
The following recipe is our go-to chili seasoning mix recipe that has received many reviews/requests from friends and goes great in our favorite Southwest Veggie Soup. It’s not too hot and not too sweet, but in our opinion, just right. Try it and see what you think!
Chili Seasoning Mix
Course: Mixes
Serves: 1
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon white flour unbleached (opt.)
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons dried onions
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried garlic
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and blend well.
- Use fresh, or store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months. This recipe equals 1 store-bought seasoning packet.