The perfect homemade chili seasoning recipe – Your step-by-step guide

To make the best homemade chili seasoning recipe, you don’t need a pantry full of exotic ingredients — just a few essential spices, and one special touch to make it uniquely yours!

Here are the foundational ingredients for your homemade mix:

• Chili powder: the base for warmth and depth.
• Ground cumin: earthy and slightly bitter — essential in Tex-Mex flavors.
• Smoked paprika: it adds a smoky undertone that mimics slow-cooked richness.
• Garlic powder: it brings savory intensity.
• Onion powder: it balances and sweetens the overall mix.
• Dried oregano: it lends an herbal freshness.
• Cayenne pepper (optional): only for those who like a bit of heat in their seasonings.
• Black pepper: which enhances aroma and spice complexity.
• Our magic touch — Escales du Monde salt by Le Guérandais (1½ tsp): mixed with turmeric and coriander, it adds an exotic depth that makes all the difference in your chili seasoning

Something you don’t want to miss! Why?

Unlike regular salt, our Escales du Monde Indian flavors deliver waves of spice within every grain. The blend of turmeric and coriander pairs beautifully with chili seasoning staples. The perfect mix for an authentic taste — no need to add extra flavor enhancers or artificial ingredients!

Now that you have all the required ingredients to make the best homemade chili seasoning recipe, let’s see how to quickly and simply make it step-by-step with the perfect ingredients sizing:

Ingredients (yields about ½ cup):

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1½ tsp Escales du Monde flavored salt

Instructions:

1. Measure: begin by measuring each ingredient. To do so, use clean, dry spoons to measure out each spice into a mixing bowl.
2. Mix: then, stir thoroughly with a fork or whisk until fully combined and smooth.
3. Taste & Adjust: do you want it smokier? You can for instance add more smoked paprika. Are you craving more heat? A pinch of cayenne does the trick!
4. Store: finally, transfer your mix into an airtight spice jar or glass container.

Simple as that!

Le Guérandais pro tip: for a bolder aroma, try to toast the cumin and paprika lightly in a dry pan before mixing. Let it cool before combining. It adds a slight touch of smoked / toasted flavor in your chili seasoning. Something you can find in many tacos seasoning too!

Now that your perfect chili seasoning is ready, the possibilities are endless! But how much should you use in your daily dishes? Let’s see it!

A rule of thumb is 2–3 Tbsp per 450 g (1 lb) of protein or beans for a medium-hot pot of chili. Adjust based on:

• Heat tolerance: you serve kids? Start with 1½ Tbsp, taste mid-simmer, add more if needed.
• Batch size: you’re cooking for six? Scale up proportionally – 4 Tbsp seasons a 2 kg slow-cooker feast perfectly.
• Flavour intensity: a smoky campfire chili can handle extra seasoning because smoke tends to mute spices; add an extra spoon right at the end for a fragrant lift.

For instance:

• For chili con carne: use 2 to 3 tablespoons of seasoning per 500 g of meat (about 1 lb), adjusting based on intensity and portion size.
• For tacos: 1 tablespoon per 250 g of ground beef or plant-based alternative will be enough.
• Vegetable stir-fries or beans: start with 1 tsp per serving and increase gradually according to your preferences.

Remember: as you will see, the blend is quite concentrated. It’s better to under-season and adjust during cooking than to overpower the dish and make it too salty or spicy!

Le Guérandais pro tip: do you want a sauce with a kick? Mix 1 tsp of the spice blend into tomato sauce, sour cream, or mayonnaise for an instant chili-flavored dip.

If buying already prepared chili seasoning in supermarkets can be tempting, making your own recipe at home has key benefits and pros:

1. No Additives or preservatives

Commercial spice blends often include anti-caking agents, preservatives, and added sugars.
Your own mix? 100% pure flavor with natural and well-selected ingredients! No bad surprises!

2. A full customization for your own tastes

From heat level to smokiness, making your own recipe enables you to fully control every aspect of the seasoning, to match your personal taste or dietary needs.

3. A better value (yes, it’s counter-intuitive)

That’s a hot take but buying spices in bulk in reality saves you money in the long run as opposed buying recurring commercial seasoning. In addition, no more half-used packets wasting away in your pantry!

4. Planet-friendlier

Your homemade seasoning is made with fewer single-use sachets and more reusable jars alongside raw ingredients that can be bought in bulk. Similarly, our solar-evaporated Guérande salt is harvested with minimal energy input, too.

5. Definitely a much better taste

Last but not least, there is no doubt that your homemade chili seasoning made with high-quality spices and our gourmet Escales du Monde salt definitely outstands commercial ones in terms of flavor and taste.

To keep your chili seasoning mix fresh and aromatic, here are few tips:

• Use an airtight jar: a glass spice jar with a tight seal works best.
• Keep it cool and dark: keep in mind that you must store it away from light, heat, and moisture.
• Label with the date: homemade spice blends typically last up to 6 months at peak potency (where commercial ones can last only a couple of weeks).

Now that you master your new seasoning perfectly, you may ask yourself: for which dishes can I use my perfect chili spice recipe right? In reality, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Beyond classic chili, here are some exciting dishes where it shines:

Tex-mex tacos

Use as a rub for beef, chicken, or jackfruit before grilling or sautéing. You can combine it with olive oil for a spicy marinade. A perfect tacos seasoning!

Chili-spiced sweet potatoes

Toss sweet potato wedges with olive oil and a generous pinch of chili seasoning, then roast until golden.

Spicy bean soup

Here too, you can add 1 tbsp of your homemade blend per liter of broth for a smoky, warming soup base. So delicious and underrated!

Scrambled eggs or Tofu

A pinch of your chili seasoning mixed into eggs or tofu scramble adds instant zest and so many flavors.

Chili popcorn or crispy chili chickpeas

For your Netflix evenings, toss hot popcorn with melted butter and a pinch of chili spice mix for a bold snack. Similarly, you can also try crispy chili chickpeas for your salted snack by tossing canned chickpeas with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp seasoning, roast at 200 °C for 25 minutes — an addictive plant-based crunch!

Ready to explore more ways to season your meals?

Check out our full seasoning guide and discover the full range of Le Guérandais flavored salts, including Sel Saveur du Monde — a celebration of global flavor, one pinch at a time.