• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Vegan with Gusto
  • Home
  • recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Statement
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
  • black bean kofta on pita bread with red onions.
    Vegan Black Bean Kofta Recipe
  • Mushroom barley stew in a white bowl.
    Creamy Vegan Mushroom Barley Stew
  • Tempeh burger in a bun with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and aioli.
    Vegan Tempeh Burger Recipe
  • Seasoned chickpeas, cooked pasta, and spinach in white sauce.
    Chickpea Pasta with Spinach and Rosemary
  • A glass bowl with tomato BBQ sauce and a wooden spoon.
    Fiery Homemade Sriracha BBQ Sauce
  • A black cast iron pot is filled with rajma masala topped with pickled red onions and chopped cilantro.
    Creamy Rajma Masala (Vegan Kidney Bean Curry)
  • Indian curry sauce with chopped spinach in a bowl.
    Easy Indian Curry Sauce Recipe
  • Thai curry with vegetables and Indian cauliflower curry with vindaloo sauce.
    Indian Curry vs. Thai Curry (What’s the Difference?)
  • A ladle is in a white dish of vegan honey mustard dressing with black pepper.
    Best Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe (Oil-Free)
  • Artichoke pesto with green parsley in a glass bowl with a small wooden spoon.
    Easy Artichoke Pesto Recipe (Vegan and Oil-free)
  • Easy Vegan Quinoa Pilaf Recipe with Chickpeas
  • Massaman curry paste in a small bowl.
    Easy Vegan Massaman Curry Paste Recipe (oil-free)
Home » Recipes » Ingredients

Homemade Chili Powder Recipe (8 Easy Ingredients)

Published: Nov 4, 2021 · Modified: Sep 16, 2023 by Denise · 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Overhead of homemade chili powder in a yellow bowl with recipe title.
A picture of a dish of chili powder with a small wooden spoon with text overlay of recipe title and website.
A picture of a dish of chili powder with a small wooden spoon with text overlay of recipe title and website.

Take control of your cooking and revel in the difference by making a flavor-powered homemade chili powder recipe with 8 easy ingredients for a spice blend that tastes better than anything you can buy.

Making your own chili powder is more than a cooking vanity project. It makes a difference! This savory spice blend can turn favorite dishes from ‘so-so’ into flavor explosions. 

Whether you're craving spicy dishes like zucchini chili, veggie black bean chili with cocoa powder, a feast of Mexican zucchini boats, or the satisfaction of Instant Pot sweet potato and 3-bean chili, the foundation is chili seasoning. You and your recipes deserve the best, and this is it. 

Chili powder in a white dish and a small wooden spoon.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients, Notes, and Substitutions
  • Recipe Variations
  • Instructions and Pro Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Spice Mix Recipes
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • This is an all-purpose Mexican-style spice blend for a variety of recipes. 
  • It's salt-free and gluten-free. 
  • Make it as spicy or mild as you like it. 
  • ​Make a big batch and store it for years. 

Ingredients, Notes, and Substitutions

Homemade chili powder ingredients on a plate and labeled.

Smoked paprika. The smokey flavor enhances the taste of chipotle chilies. I use hot, but medium or mild varieties are available. 

Sweet paprika. Common paprika is not smoked and tastes like dried red bell peppers (paprika peppers). 

Oregano. Mexican oregano is best for this recipe but not essential. 

Chipotle chilies. I grind chipotle pepper flakes because that's what's available where I live. If you find ground chipotle powder (not chipotle chili powder), use it. 

Ancho chilies. Ancho chili is milder with a sweet flavor that makes it ideal for a chili blend with other varieties of chili. Skip the chipotle and double the ancho for a milder spice mix. 

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

Recipe Variations

A chart with a guide to dried chilis.

Chilies come in a wide variety. You can adjust the spice mix by using chilies with the perfect touch of heat you're after. Of course, the other heat control is quantity. You always have the option of adding a little bit of heat to recipes from cayenne pepper or red chili flakes. 

A note about salt: I rarely add salt to any spice blends because it's easier to control salt when making individual recipes. Over-salting is challenging to correct and easy to forget that you've already added it to your spice mixes. 

Instructions and Pro Tips

Make homemade chili powder by mixing all the ingredients together.
  • Making chili powder is as simple as mixing ingredients in a bowl or jar. 
  • Use a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder to break down whole, dried chilies or chili flakes into powder before mixing with the rest of the ingredients. 
  • If you want to get fancy with whole chilies or cumin seeds, toast them first in a dry skillet. Break whole chilies and remove their seeds for less heat. 

Serving Suggestions

Chili powder in a teaspoon.

Use this recipe as a substitute for regular chili powder in dishes where you want a little heat or garnishing appetizers like black bean dip or beet hummus. 

If you are unsure of the heat index, taste the chili powder first, add a little, then adjust as you continue cooking. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to store chili powder?

Store chili powder in a tightly sealed jar or airtight container. Like everything in your spice rack, it should be kept away from excess light, heat, and moisture. That means not near bright sunlight, your stove, or Instant Pot steam.

Does chili powder go bad?

Unless it gets wet, chili powder will last for years; however, it will, over time, lose potency. For this reason, you should always check the expiration date on the bottle. If you make chili powder, note the expiration date of the oldest ingredient.

Is chili powder gluten-free?

Not all chili powders are gluten-free. Some prepared brands can use gluten-containing ingredients, such as wheat flour, as fillers. This is another reason why making your own chili powder is a good idea.

What can you do if you add too much chili powder?

If you add too much and your dish is too spicy, there are a few things you can do. First, add more sweeteners, like maple syrup or date paste. Coconut milk or vegan sour cream can also mitigate too much spice. Nut butter such as tahini or peanut butter can mellow the bite, as can starchy vegetables or beans.

More Spice Mix Recipes

  • Ground Thai curry powder in a white dish with a wooden spoon.
    Easy Thai Curry Powder Recipe
  • A dish of garam masala with 2 star anise.
    Homemade Garam Masala Recipe
  • bowl of red berbere spice blend with dried red chilies, cardamom pods, fenugreek seeds, and coriander seeds.
    Berbere Spice Recipe (Ethiopian Spices Mix)
  • Massaman curry paste in a small bowl.
    Easy Vegan Massaman Curry Paste Recipe (oil-free)

Do you have a question or recipe request or need a cooking tip? Leave a comment below or contact Denise. I’m here to help! If you want more healthy vegan recipes, please subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Facebook or Pinterest for the latest updates.

If you make this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It’s much appreciated!

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe

A white bowl is filled with homemade chili powder with a small wooden spoon.

Homemade Chili Powder Recipe

This homemade chili powder recipe transforms 8 easy ingredients for a salt-free Mexican chili powder that’s better than any store-bought brand.
Author: Denise

Rate this Recipe:

5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Condiment
Cuisine Mexican
Diet Low Salt, Vegan
Servings 15
Calories 6 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder - grind whole chilies or chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon ancho powder - grind whole chilies or chili flakes

Instructions
 

  • For whole chilies or chili flakes, use a spice grinder to break them into a fine powder. (see notes).
  • Combine the ingredients in a jar with a lid or airtight container.
  • Date the expiration for the earliest date of any individual ingredient. Add a name label so you don't mix it up with another spice blend.
  • Makes 5 tablespoons.

Notes

  • For less spicy whole chilies, break them and shake out the seeds. For a smokier flavor, you can also toast whole chilies in a dry skillet.
  • Chili powder can be kept for years, but its potency is dictated by the oldest spice in the mix. This is why labeling and dating your homemade chili powder is important.
  • Not all chili powder is gluten-free; however, making it yourself ensures it is.
    Before using chili powder, shake the jar to distribute the spices equally.
  • Store homemade chili powder in a sealed container in a cool place, away from heat sources (your stove), direct sunlight, and a working Instant Pot or device that emits steam.
  • Taste your chili powder before using it. Add it a little at a time in dishes to avoid over-spicing. Add a sweetener like maple syrup or date paste if your food is too spicy. Coconut milk or vegan sour cream can help mitigate the spice, as can a starchy vegetable such as potatoes or adding more beans to a recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 6kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.3g (1%)Fat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 39mg (1%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 547IU (11%)Vitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 11mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Nutritional information is an estimation only.

Keyword homemade chili powder recipe
Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave a comment below

More Ingredient Recipes

  • A bottle of pomegranate molasses is poured into a small glass dish.
    Find Your Best Pomegranate Molasses Substitute
  • A bowl of nutritional yeast flakes.
    15 Best Vegan Nutritional Yeast Substitutes
  • A jar of agave nectar.
    13 Best Healthy Vegan Agave Nectar Substitutes
  • Coconut milk is poured over cooked vegetables.
    19 Best Vegan Substitutes for Coconut Milk

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. João Silva

    August 27, 2021 at 6:07 pm

    can you please convert the recipe in grams?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Denise in a Good Medicine shirt.

Howdy, I'm Denise, a plant-based lifestyle enthusiast, recipe creator, coach, and Food for Life certified instructor. I'm certified in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Institute and completed training as a Well Start coach.

More about me →

FFL logo

I'm proud to work as a Food for Life Instructor. Check for updates about courses I'll be teaching (live and online).

Popular Recipes

  • A bowl of creamy sweet potato dip topped with chopped parsley.
    Creamy DIY Sweet Potato Dip
  • A black pan is filled with mung bean curry.
    Mung Bean Curry (Green Moong Bean Dal)
  • A sliver spoon with baked tofu sausage crumbles is held over a bowl of crumbles.
    Vegan Tofu Sausage Crumbles Recipe
  • baked granola bar is held over a plate of granola bars
    Baked Sugar-Free Granola Bars
  • Bulgur pilaf with carrots, zucchini, red pepper, celery, and onions in a blue bowl.
    Middle Eastern Vegetable Bulgur Pilaf
  • one pot rice and black beans in skillet
    one-pot rice and beans

Summer Salads

  • Roasted potatoes and tomatoes with BBQ dressing.
    Vegan Roasted Potato Salad with Creamy BBQ Dressing
  • A bowl filled with sliced cherry tomatoes, red peppers, cilantro, and pomegranate.
    Zesty Tomato and Pomegranate Salad with Za'atar
  • Tongs hold coleslaw with green and red cabbage, carrots, chopped cilantro, and mango strips over a bowl of slaw.
    Zippy Vegan Coleslaw with Mango
  • Curried vegan macaroni salad in a glass bowl with paprika on top.
    curried vegan macaroni salad
  • A bowl of Borlotti bean salad with red onions, celery, walnuts, and pomegranate arils.
    borlotti bean salad with pomegranate vinaigrette
  • Vegan tuna salad with chickpeas with lettuce, red onions, and toast.
    Vegan Tuna (Chickpea Salad Recipe No Mayo)

Footer

↑ back to top

About

About Denise

Privacy policy

Accessibility policy

Newsletter

Sign up for emails and updates

Contact

Connect with me

Copyright © 2022 Vegan with Gusto