Make your own Chili Seasoning in bulk to have on hand any time you want to whip up a quick pot of chili! Not only does it taste great, but since you control the ingredients, there are none of the icky preservatives that can be found in store-bought mix.
Course Pantry Staples
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 55 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 1batch of Chili Mix will season 6 pots of chili (using 1 pound ground beef each)
2tablespoonsmasa harina (Mexican corn flour)OR fine cornmeal may be substituted
¼cupwater
Instructions
TO MAKE CHILI SEASONING MIX:
In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Store in an airtight jar.
TO USE CHILI SEASONING MIX:
In a large pot set over medium heat, brown ground beef and garlic; drain fat. Stir in 2 ½ tablespoons of Chili Seasoning Mix (per pound of ground beef), cayenne (if using), tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with juice, and water or beef broth. Reduce heat to low and place lid on pot. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding additional tomato sauce, beef broth, or water, if chili becomes too dry.
After 45 minutes, taste chili and adjust salt and/or cayenne, if desired. Stir masa into ¼ cup water. Pour masa mixture into chili and mix well. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes.
Video
Notes
A pot of chili made with 1 pound of ground beef will yield about four average-sized servings.
To feed a larger or hungrier family, cook 2 pounds of ground beef seasoned with 5 tablespoons of Chili Seasoning Mix, and double all of the other ingredients.
Feel free to substitute your favorite type of chili meat for the ground beef. Ground turkey will work, as will beef stew meat, etc.
If you can't find masa harina (corn flour), finely ground cornmeal will give your chili the same ultimate flavor...it just has a coarser/grittier texture.
If you prefer more sauce in your chili, add a bit more liquid before the last 10 minutes of simmering time. If you prefer drier chili, leave the lid off the pot during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
NUTRITION CALCULATIONS are for one serving from one pot of chili (made as directed using 1 pound of ground beef, with one pot of chili yielding 4 servings).
***If you want to cook one small batch of this chili to ensure that you like the way it tastes before making a whole jar of Chili Seasoning Mix, the individual measurements for 1 pound of ground beef are approximately equivalent to 5 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, ½ teaspoon oregano, and ½ teaspoon salt.***