Zesty Chili Seasoning Mix

Toss the store-bought packet. This homemade chili seasoning lets you control exactly what goes into your pot, no fillers or mystery additives, just a balanced blend of warm, savory, and zesty spices.

Cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder form the savory backbone, while onion flakes add texture and depth, a little sugar rounds out the edges, and crushed red pepper flakes deliver the zesty heat the name promises.

There’s a clever inclusion of a tablespoon of flour, which thickens the chili to a hearty, clingy consistency as it simmers, with no separate thickener needed.

Stir the whole batch together and it keeps in an airtight jar for up to a year, so you’ve always got chili night handled.

When you’re ready, stir a batch into browned meat with tomatoes and beans, and let it simmer.

Kitchen Tips

• One batch seasons roughly a pound of meat for a standard pot of chili; scale it up to keep on hand.
• The flour thickens as it simmers, so adjust the liquid accordingly.
• Toast the cumin and chili powder briefly in the pot for deeper flavor before adding liquid.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes up or down to set your heat level.

Variations

• Add smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky version.
• Stir in cocoa powder or cinnamon for a deeper, Cincinnati-style chili.
• Leave out the flour for a gluten-free mix and thicken the chili another way.