A blend rather than a single spice: mild ground chilli, cumin, garlic powder, oregano and often salt, formulated for Tex-Mex chilli con carne.
What it does in a recipe: A one-jar Tex-Mex seasoning base - mild heat, earthy cumin, red colour and savoury depth together. Pick the swap that covers that job - the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.
Allergen checkTaco seasonings frequently contain wheat flour or maltodextrin as thickeners and some include dairy. Read the packet before using it in a gluten-free or dairy-free dish, and take a diagnosed allergy up with the manufacturer.
In Britain and much of Europe, chilli powder usually means pure ground chilli and is far hotter than the American blend. Check which one a recipe means before measuring by the tablespoon.
At a glance
Chili powder in summary
Chili powder at a glance: category, its job in a recipe, the diets it suits, the diets its substitutes can satisfy, and how many substitutes there are.
1 tbsp chili powder = 2 tsp paprika + 1 tsp ground cumin + 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 1/4 tsp dried oregano + 1/8 tsp cayenne. Rebuilding the blend from its components matches both the flavour and the volume, and lets you control the heat and leave out the salt. Usually fresher and more vivid than the jar, and unsalted, so you may need to season the dish more elsewhere.
Can I use ground ancho chilli with cumin instead of chili powder?
1 tbsp chili powder = 2 tsp ground ancho chilli + 1 tsp ground cumin. Ancho is the mild fruity chilli that forms the base of most commercial blends, and cumin is the other flavour people actually taste in it. Deeper and fruitier than the commercial blend, without the garlic and salt. Many cooks prefer it.
Can I use taco seasoning instead of chili powder?
1 tbsp chili powder = 1 tbsp taco seasoning, and hold back the salt in the recipe. Taco seasoning is essentially the same blend with more salt and often a starch thickener, so the spice profile lines up closely. Considerably saltier, and any added starch will thicken the dish slightly. Taste before adding any further salt.
Can I use paprika with cayenne instead of chili powder?
1 tbsp chili powder = 2 1/2 tsp paprika + 1/8 tsp cayenne. This covers the colour and the heat, which are the two most visible things the blend contributes, without the cumin and garlic underneath. The dish will look right and taste thin - cumin is doing most of the flavour work in a real chilli.
Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter - confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.