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Don’t have chili powder, or realize you’re all out while you’re cooking? Here are the best chili powder substitutes to use in your recipes.
Chili powder is a spice blend made with dried chilis and other spices. It’s the main spice in chili and is used often in Mexican cuisine. There’s really nothing like it! If you’re out, though, you may be missing out on some of that heat. The good news is that you can fake it if you need to with these easy substitutions.
Best chili powder substitutes
1. Homemade chili powder mix
The best substitute for chili powder — not chile powder, as that’s something else! — is a homemade chili powder mix. To make homemade chili powder, simply combine the following spices to make ¼ cup chili powder:
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- ½ tablespoon cumin
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne
2. Paprika, cumin, and cayenne
The next best substitute for chili powder is a mix of paprika, cumin, and cayenne. If you don’t have all the spices above, you can make a “cheater” version.
For every 1 tablespoon chili powder, use 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, and a scant ¼ teaspoon cayenne. You can customize the cayenne to taste based on your spice preference.
3. Chipotle chili powder
This chili powder substitute must be treated with caution, but chipotle chili powder can bring some of the savory pepper flavor to dishes along with the heat. However, keep in mind that it is extremely spicy!
For every 1 tablespoon chili powder, I substitute only ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder, though you could use more to taste. It would also work in combination with paprika and cumin. Use 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, and ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder.
Related recipes
Here are some of my favorite recipes that use chili powder:
- Vegetarian Chili and Ultimate Vegan Chili
- Quick Chili Recipe
- Vegan Sloppy Joes
- 3-Bean Healthy Chili Recipe
- Easy Baked Flautas (Taquitos!)
- Easy Instant Pot Pinto Beans
- Best Ever Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Homemade Refried Beans
- Easy Refried Bean Dip
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Homemade Chili Powder Substitute
Here’s how to make homemade chili powder! Mix this all natural blend into a batch of chili, or use it for grilled or roasted veggies, dips, and more.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ¼ cup 1x
- Category: Seasoning
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Spice Blend
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- ½ tablespoon cumin
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Transfer to an airtight container or jar. Store for 6 months to 1 year in a cool, dry place.
No clue how much to use for like 2 quarts or A Gallon of chilli No information of it’s use at all
How much chili powder does your recipe call for? That’s how much of this you’d use.
How much do I use per pound of meat
1 to 2 tablespoons, to your preference.
One or two is a big difference. 1teaspoon to 1 cup. lol
I wanted to make a chilli for my daughter that wasn’t spicy at all, I’ve been using this substitute without the cayenne and it tastes great! Thanks
Needed chili powder in a hurry for enchilada sauce. I’m in Russia, I even have to make the tortillas. So your recipe was just in time for lunch. Thanks, you two!
You’re welcome!