I have been making my own homemade chili seasoning for almost ten years now. I used to buy the packets from the grocery store, but as soon as I discovered this recipe I was hooked. The beauty of this is that it’s really just a flavor base to build off of. You make this mix, then when cooking up your chili, feel free to doctor it however you please. Make it hotter, add some green pepper, maybe a secret ingredient passed down for generations, or just eat it like it is.
The recipe I’m giving you below is for ONE pound of ground beef. I always double it due to the size of our family.
I’m also going to show you how to make several batches of this recipe so that you won’t have to pull out the measuring spoons every time you make a pot of chili. I usually make 5 or 6 batches to store in the cabinet, but when putting this last one together I ran low of dried minced onion, so I went with three instead.
First, set out one bowl for each batch you plan to make. Measure the ingredients into each bowl.
Stir the ingredients in each bowl with a fork.
You will need one zipper sandwich bag for each batch of mix. Put each mixture into its own baggie. Squeeze out the excess air, close the bag and roll it up. Wrap the baggie in foil and mark it as chili seasoning. I do this because I also make my own taco seasoning and store them in the same cabinet.
Wrapping them in foil keeps the seasoning from being exposed to light, which can dull the flavor of some herbs and spices. This has a shelf life of about a year, just like your other dried herbs. Mine never lasts that long. ;)
Amanda’s Chili Seasoning
(this has a mild flavor, but if you like, leave out the red pepper flakes all together)
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp minced onion
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Measure all ingredients into the same bowl and mix together with a fork.
To Make Chili:
You will need
1 recipe Amanda’s Chili Seasoning Mix
1 pound ground beef
1 15-oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes (run them through a blender if you don’t like the chunks)
1/4 cup water
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Drain off fat from ground beef and return beef to pan. Add seasoning mix, water, beans and tomatoes and stir to combine. At this point you can add in anything else that you want to personalize the recipe. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
What a great little spice recipe! I know I will by the little tex mex chili packet but why not make it? I have all those spices on hand anyway. I will have to give this a try :)
can the cumin be optional in this chili recipe?
I have never tried it without the cumin Mary. You could certainly try it and see how it is! Let me know if you do :)
The ziplock baggies are a great idea! This way you don't have to remember how much each batch makes, and measure out of a jar.
Great recipe! I love the mild version ~ thanks!
Whats great about this is you can control the salt.Packaged chili seasoning has way too much salt.
What a great idea to have it all premixed and ready to go like that. And those are all spices I always have on hand. Thanks Amanda! (I always learn something new when I visit you)
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
What a fantastic Idea Amanda!! Leave it to you, to come up with it!! XXOO
What a great idea!
Thanks for this recipe Amanda! I will have to try making my own chili mix!
I make my own taco seasoning now, thanks to Kevin over at Closet Cooking, and I can't wait to try this! Thanks! :)
I am a little disappointed, as I thought this would include a real bare-bones recipe..but it includes chili powder, something else we could make at home. Either way, I'm sure this is delish.
Very cool, I always make my own too.
I always mean to put together some herb & spice mixes like this as they're soooo expensive to buy. I never get round to it but I feel more inspired to now!
What a great idea! I will definitely have to do this! I make a lot of chili in the winter. Great timesaver. :)
oh wow i bet your chilli tastes amazing, love it
Happy Valentines
love Rebecca
Great idea Amanda! I love making my own dry rubs, but never thought to make chili seasoning – thanks! :D
Oh, Happy Valentine's!
Hey, thanks! Too often I won't make something because I don't have the seasoning mix. I feel kinda silly for not thinking of this.
Happy Valentine's Day!
~ingrid
This appears to be the best starter list I have found on the net so far. By the looks of the seasonings, it should be tasty as is, but I seem to always overdo most recipes in time, as My family enjoys changes to foods, and different flavors. I will give this a try, mainly because we are on limited salt intake and I find that 99% of all prepared foods/seasonings contain over a week's provision of salt for a normal person in each serving – especially canned chilies and soups.
Bassinman – it is definitely tasty as is, that's how we use it :) but it's also perfect for doctoring up and making your own. Enjoy!
[...] I? I’m definitely giving away $100. But let me tell you about this Chili Mac first. I have a homemade chili seasoning mix that I make several batches of to use when I want to make chili. Often times I’ll use a [...]
Great recipe!!! I made a HUGE pot of chili today and used your “mix”. It was a hit! I’ll never buy a packet again.
Awesome! So glad you liked it!! :)
Thanks, Amanda, great chili seasoning for family. I will use it from now own, great little gift idea too.