The Memory That Started It
Nothing says fall like a big pot of chili simmering while your favorite team plays in the background. I first made this recipe for our family Halloween night—crockpot in the driveway, a small bonfire crackling, neighbors waving as the kids ran between porch lights. We’d hand out candy with steaming bowls in hand. It was simple and warm and ours. The chili kept everyone close to the house, and the smell turned the whole evening into a little tradition. It was so loved that it became our Sunday staple all season long.
Why I Make My Own Blend (and Skip the Packet)
- Ingredients I trust. No anti-caking agents, no mystery “flavors”, no sugars—just the spices I choose.
- Consistency. Same flavor every time, season after season.
- Speed. One five-minute batch sets me up for months; weeknights become scoop-and-stir easy.
- Real flavor. Bloomed spices perfume the whole pot (more on that below). Serious Eats+1
Hosting secret: It takes me 5 minutes to mix the spice and ~20 hands-on minutes to start the chili. After that, it can simmer on the stove or keep warm in the crockpot for hours while people graze and the game runs.
What You’ll Find in This Post
- My Homemade Chili Powder (exact blend)
- Our Game Day Chili (small family or crowd)
- Optional pro tips (blooming spices, bean rinsing, food safety), with quick references
🌶 Homemade Chili Powder Blend (5 minutes, one season’s worth)
Game Day, but make it homemade — no packets, no shortcuts, just real flavor.
Yield: about ½ cup per batch (I make it 8× in a mason jar to stock the season)
Use: 2–3 Tbsp per pot of chili
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp chili pepper spice (use ancho, chipotle, or New Mexico for depth)
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp paprika
Directions
- Add everything to a jar.
- Shake to combine and label with the date.
- Store cool/dark. For best flavor, use within a year; ground blends fade faster than whole spices. Food & Wine+1
Pro tip (optional): When cooking, briefly bloom your spice mix in the pot’s fat (30–60 seconds) before liquids—this releases fat-soluble aromatics and spreads flavor evenly. Serious Eats
🥣 Game Day Chili (Our Sunday Staple)
Serves: 4–6 (double/triple for a crowd)
Hands-on time: ~20 minutes • Simmer: 2–3 hours (or slow cooker 6–8 hours on Low)
Ingredients
- 1 diced onion
- (Optional) chopped peppers
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1–2 lbs ground meat
- 2–3 Tbsp Homemade Chili Powder (above)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (we love Jovial)
- (Optional) 1 jar/can kidney beans (Jovial), rinsed and drained
- Butter or olive oil for sautéing
Directions
- Sauté onion in butter (add peppers if using) until translucent.
- Add garlic + salt + pepper.
- Brown the ground meat thoroughly. (For home cooks, USDA recommends 160°F for ground meats.) FoodSafety.gov+1
- Stir in 2–3 Tbsp chili powder; cook 30–60 sec to bloom. Serious Eats
- Add crushed tomatoes and (if using) rinsed beans. (Rinsing can reduce sodium up to ~40%.) Health+1
- Simmer gently 2–3 hours until thick, rich, and cozy. (Long, low simmering deepens flavor and melds aromas.) Pacific Foods+1
Slow cooker: Do steps 1–4 on the stovetop, then transfer to the crock. Cook Low 6–8 hrs (add beans in last 30–45 min).
🏈 Serve It Like Game Day
Toppings bar: shredded cheddar, sour cream/Greek yogurt, scallions, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips, lime wedges.
Stretch it: spoon over baked potatoes, rice, or nachos.
Make-Ahead, Freeze, Scale
- Better next day: Chill overnight—flavors marry.
- Freeze: 2–3 months in quart bags (lay flat).
- Scale: 1× family, 2×–3× party; use a Dutch oven/stockpot.
Homemaking, Simply
If cozy, homemade Sundays are your love language, this chili duo will make fall feel effortless—one jar of spice, one pot on low, and a house that smells like “home.” I’ll keep sending you simple, family-tested recipes and printables so dinner feels doable even on busy days.
CTA: Grab my printable Game Day Chili Card when you subscribe to the free Sunday Email—so cooking from scratch is always one simple recipe away. https://app.naturalandglamorous.com/get-on-my-newsletter
