The “Packet Perfect” Homemade Chili: The Ultimate McCormick-Inspired Recipe!

Let’s be honest, those little chili seasoning packets are incredibly convenient, aren’t they? They promise a perfectly balanced, delicious, and classic chili with absolutely zero guesswork. It is a very tempting shortcut for a busy weeknight.

But what if you could recreate that exact same, beloved, and classic flavor using the simple spices you probably already have in your cabinet? A completely homemade version without the extra sodium, the anti-caking agents, and all the other mystery ingredients. It is the absolute best of both worlds: that familiar flavor you love and wholesome, homemade goodness.

Today, we are doing just that with this incredible McCormick-Inspired Chili recipe. This detailed guide will show you the perfect blend of simple spices to create that iconic, savory taste completely from scratch. Get ready to ditch the packet for good and make the most flavour-packed chili ever.

The Ultimate “Ditch the Packet” Meal: Homemade Chili Seasoning

The heart and soul of this recipe is the simple Homemade Chili Seasoning. Our carefully tested blend of spices perfectly mimics that classic, balanced, and family-friendly flavor that has made the packet a pantry staple for generations. By making your own, you control the flavor, the salt, and the quality of every single ingredient.

A Perfect Easy Weeknight Dinner for Classic Ground Beef Recipes

You will find that this is the perfect easy weeknight dinner. The straightforward, one-pot method makes it a stress-free option for any busy evening. This dish is also a fantastic example of classic ground beef recipes, transforming an affordable ingredient into a hearty, comforting, and crowd-pleasing meal.

Your Guide: What Spices Are in a Chili Packet?

For anyone wondering what spices are in a chili packet like the classic McCormick blend, it is a simple but perfectly balanced combination. The blend is always built on a foundation of a mild chili powder for color and classic flavor, and ground cumin for a warm, earthy depth. To get that signature savory, “can’t-put-your-finger-on-it” taste, you will also want to add onion powder and garlic powder, and a little bit of cornstarch or masa harina is often included as a secret thickener.

Why You’ll Love This McCormick-Inspired Chili

You are going to love this recipe because it delivers that nostalgic, perfectly balanced, and family-friendly flavor of your favorite chili packet, but in a fresh, homemade way. You’ll also adore that it’s a simple, one-pot meal that is both incredibly easy to make and wonderfully budget-friendly. Plus, you can make a big batch of the homemade seasoning blend to have on hand, making future chili nights even faster.

Nutritional Benefits

This classic homemade chili is a wonderfully hearty and satisfying family meal. The ground beef is a fantastic source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients like iron, while the beans are absolutely packed with beneficial dietary fiber. By making your own simple spice blend from scratch at home, you have complete control over the sodium level and can avoid the fillers and preservatives found in many pre-made seasoning packets.

Full Recipe

Are you ready to create the most delicious and comforting chili that will taste just like your favorite classic, but even better? This detailed guide will walk you through every simple step, from creating the perfect copycat spice blend to simmering the chili to perfection. Get ready to master a new family-favorite that tastes like a warm hug in a bowl.

Love that iconic McCormick chili flavor? This recipe shows you how to create that perfectly balanced, savory taste from scratch. Using a special blend of spices, this ground beef chili is rich, thick, and full of homestyle goodness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Yield: 8 servings | Category: Dinner, Main Course, Soup | Method: Simmering, One-Pot | Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex | Diet: N/A

Essential Ingredients for McCormick-Inspired Chili

This classic comfort food dinner comes together with a handful of simple pantry staples.

• Beef: 2 lbs (about 1 kg) of lean ground beef
• Beans: 2 cans (15 oz / 425g each) of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• Aromatics: 1 large onion, chopped
• Tomatoes:
  • 1 large can (28 oz / 794g) of diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 small can (15 oz / 425g) of tomato sauce
• For the Copycat Spice Blend:
  • ¼ cup of chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon of onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
• For Serving: Your favorite toppings (e.g., cheese, sour cream, crackers)

Ingredients Notes

A little more detail on our key ingredients will ensure your chili is a spectacular success.

• The Ground Beef: For a rich and meaty chili that is not overly greasy, it is best to use a lean ground beef, such as an 85/15 or a 90/10 blend. You can also use a combination of different ground meats, like half beef and half ground sausage, for an even richer flavour.
• The Beans: Classic, dark red kidney beans are the traditional and perfect choice for this homestyle chili. It is very important to rinse and drain your canned beans well. This removes the starchy, salty liquid from the can and results in a cleaner taste and better texture.
• The Spice Blend: This is the heart and soul of our copycat recipe. The combination of chili powder, cumin, onion and garlic powders, and a little smoked paprika creates that perfect, balanced, and savory flavor that is not too spicy. The small amount of sugar is another secret that perfectly balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• The Tomatoes: Using a combination of both canned diced tomatoes for texture and a can of smooth tomato sauce is a great trick. This creates a perfect, rich, and thick consistency for your chili base without being too chunky or too smooth.

How to Make a Classic, Flavor-Packed Recipe

Let’s walk through the incredibly simple one-pot process for this ultimate comfort food soup.

• Step 1: Prepare the Spice Blend and Brown the Beef. In a small bowl, whisk together all the spices for your homemade blend. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and the chopped onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease from the pot.
• Step 2: Bloom the Spices. Add the entire bowl of your prepared spice blend to the pot with the meat. Stir and cook for one minute until the spices are toasted and very aromatic. This simple step is the key to a deep, rich flavor.
• Step 3: Simmer the Chili. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and the tomato sauce. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally, to allow all the flavors to meld together.
• Step 4: Add the Beans and Serve. Stir in the rinsed and drained kidney beans. Let the chili simmer for another 10 minutes to heat the beans through.
• Step 5: Season and Enjoy. Taste the chili and season it with any additional salt and pepper to your taste. Ladle the hot, hearty chili into bowls and serve with all your favorite toppings.

Storage Options

This classic beef and bean chili is a fantastic make-ahead meal, and the flavours will get even better overnight. Once the chili has cooled completely, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can easily reheat it on the stovetop over a low heat or in the microwave.

This chili also freezes beautifully. Simply let it cool completely and then portion it into freezer-safe zip-top bags or containers. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Variations and Substitutions

This classic comfort food recipe is a wonderful and versatile template. For a spicier version, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your spice blend. You can also add other delicious vegetables, like a chopped bell pepper or some corn, to make it even heartier. For a different protein, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.

Practical & Valuable Tips

For the most flavourful chili, be sure to properly brown your ground beef at the beginning of the recipe; this step creates a deep, savory flavor base for the entire dish. Toasting, or “blooming,” your spices for a minute in the hot pot before you add your liquids is a simple professional trick that makes a huge difference in the final flavor. Finally, for the richest and most complex taste, be patient and allow your chili to simmer for at least one full hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make a big batch of the homemade chili seasoning? Yes, absolutely! This is a fantastic idea for even faster meal prep in the future. You can easily double or triple the spice blend recipe and store it in an airtight jar in your pantry for several months.
2. Can I make this chili in a slow cooker? Of course! You would first brown your beef and sauté your onions in a skillet on the stovetop. Then, you would transfer this mixture to your slow cooker along with all the other ingredients (except for the beans) and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir in the beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
3. My chili seems too thin. How can I thicken it? If your chili is thinner than you’d like, you can simply let it simmer uncovered for an extra 15-20 minutes. This will allow some of the excess liquid to evaporate and the chili to thicken naturally.
4. What are the best toppings for chili? The toppings are half the fun! Some classic and delicious choices include a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of cool sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, some sliced green onions or fresh chopped cilantro, and some crunchy tortilla chips or crackers.
5. Is this recipe very spicy? No, this recipe is designed to mimic the very mild and family-friendly flavor of the classic McCormick seasoning packet. It is deeply savory and flavourful, but not spicy. If you prefer more heat, you can easily add some cayenne pepper to your spice blend.

Conclusion

This McCormick-Inspired Chili is the ultimate comfort food for a cozy and satisfying meal. It’s a dish that takes the beloved, classic flavor of a pantry staple and recreates it from scratch in a fresh and wholesome way. It is a foolproof, family-favorite recipe that is guaranteed to have everyone at your table feeling warm and happy. This is the ultimate classic chili recipe. If you love this easy and delicious comfort food, don’t forget to share it and save it to your favorite chili recipes board on Pinterest!