“You’re missing a seasoning mix recipe. Could I please have it?” That’s the email I received last week from someone who was preparing a meal from my new book, The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook. “I am?” I asked. Sure enough, when I looked at the final version, one of the seasoning mix variations had been cut due to lack of space. Whoops. No one else had mentioned the problem-yet- but I thought why not address it upfront? If you’re looking for the Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix recipe, I’m including it below.
Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix
My chili seasoning mix is considered “Southern,” which means it is slightly sweeter than traditional chili mixes because of the addition of a small amount of brown sugar. If you prefer a chili that’s doesn’t have a hint of sweetness, leave out the sugar. It doesn’t matter if you use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. Use whatever you have on hand. In a pinch, you can even use regular sugar.
Here’s What You Need:
chili powder
cumin
cayenne pepper
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
pepper
brown sugar
Herb & Spice Tips:
*The trick to having a delicious seasoning blend is to use fresh dried spices. Purchased dried spices and herbs will stay fresh up to 1-year IF you store them in a cool, dry place.
*How can you tell if dried spices and herbs are fresh? Use these 3 methods.
Do they pass the sniff test? Can you still smell their fragrance? If there’s no odor, they’ve lost their flavor. Toss them out.
Can you taste them? Try a small grain of the spice. Does it have flavor? If not, toss them.
How do they look? Have they lost some of their color? Are they joined together in a rock-hard clump? Get rid of them.
*Want a chili with a little more heat? Add more cayenne pepper.
*Want an overall spicier taste? Use 3 tablespoons instead of two when making chili.
Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe
10
minutesA simple, gluten-free homemade chili seasoning mix.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Directions
- In a small bowl, mix the chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and brown sugar together until blended.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.
Coming up in the next few days- the recipe for Italian Seasoning Blend, the other seasoning blend inadvertently left out of the final printing.
Have you tried making your own seasoning blends? What’s your favorite mixture?
Have you Joined?
Do you love Southern Recipes, Cooking Tips, and the ability to ask questions about cooking in a supportive environment? If so, you might enjoy our NEW Facebook Group, Simply Southern Recipes & Tips. It’s a place to share your favorite recipes, find lots of cooking hacks, get free printables, and talk to other cooks. We hope you’ll join us there!
Looking for our Cookbooks?
Find The New Southern Cookbook and The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook on Amazon.
Nice. Always better to make my own mix than buy them from the store. Love cumin and this mix sounds great. Will certainly give it a try 🙂
Wow..! This is really awesome.. I bet I can use it with fries or fried noodles too.
It has been so long since I have made a pot of chili. As soon as it gets cooler outside, I will have to make a pot. Thank you for the seasoning mix.
I love making homemade spices. I haven’t tried a chili seasoning yet though. I’ll have to try out your recipe. I can’t wait to start making chili this fall.
Love this recipe, never thought to put sugar in a chili recipe.
Homemade seasonings are where it is at! I have a homemade taco one on my blog because preservatives are packed in the ones you by on the shelf.
This sounds delicious! I love hearty stuff like chili all year round, so we will have to try this. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to make this recipe to keep on hand.
Nothing better than homemade I bet your chili is delicious just by seeing the ingredients of this seasoning.
I love to make chili for myself since no one else in the house eats meat!
It seem so easy and a better option to make my own good homemade chilli seasoning than getting it out there
Now this sounds like an incredible seasoning mix to go with chilli! I bet it adds a real kick to anything you use it with. Yum!
This is a great mix. I always make my own mixes whenever possible, and I was actually looking for a new chili mix to try!
Nice! I’d much rather make my own seasoning than buy it at the store. Seasonig mixes from the store are always too salty for me. I can control everything with this.
We have chili almost once a week but it can use a little kick. I like a little spice in my food so i will try your chili seasoning next time I make chili.
Oo I need to make this. I always like to have seasoning on hand and we have chili a lot in the fall and winter.