Vegetarian Chili Seasoning Mix

Last Updated on May 29, 2023 by Heather Reseck

It’s easy to create your own convenience foods. I believe that “The best fast food comes from your own kitchen.”

I devoted a chapter to this concept in my cookbook, The Fix-it-Fast Vegetarian Cookbook, (which is now out of print).  I call this time-saving strategy “fix-a-mix.”

 Benefits of Making Your Own Mixes:

• Saves time
• Allows you to control which ingredients go in
• Saves money
• Saves trips to the store
• Avoids unwanted ingredients

One of the ways DIY mixes save time is through time efficiency by creating multiple mixes at the same time. This assembly line process uses time-and-motion economy to our advantage.  You get the ingredients out once and clean up once. Score! I’m always in favor of less cleanup. That’s my least favorite part of cooking.

This vegan Chili Seasoning Mix works beautifully with Instant Pot Vegan Chili or Slow Cooked Vegan Chili.  Using a mix in conjunction with a time-saving, hands-off kitchen appliance such as an Instant Pot or Crock-Pot reduces the assembly time, which means less hands-on time. Score!

This is time efficiency stacking: Time Saving Mix + Time-Saving Appliance = Minimal Hands-on Time

How to Make Chili Seasoning Mix

• Gather the ingredients and place them in order.
• Decide how many mixes to make, based on the availability of ingredients and how many you are likely to use within  6 months.
• Gather containers and set them up in rows.
• Create an assembly line.
• Put 1½ tablespoons chili powder in each container.
• Add cumin to each container.
• Repeat until all of the ingredients have been added.

• Stir the ingredients in each container and pour into a 3×4-inch zip-top bag or snack bag.
• Place the seasoning mixes in a larger bag or container. Label.

Tips

Because this mix contains salt, I find it’s best to create individual premeasured mixes instead of a bulk mix which is kept in one container and taken out as needed. Otherwise, the salt tends to settle and would not be evenly distributed.

Use flexible plastic containers for mixing the mixes. Pinch one edge of the container to create a funnel and pour it into a 3×3-inch zip-top bag (affiliate link) or snack bag.

One seasoning mix will season one pound of beans, which makes about 8 cups of Vegetarian Chili.

How to Turn Chili Seasoning Mix into a Gift

Here’s another advantage of mixes: they make great gifts.

Put a pound (about 2 1/2 cups) of 3 different beans or just pinto beans in a cellophane food-safe bag or jar.  Add a packet of seasoning mix and a tag with the directions.  Now you have a simple, beautiful, and inexpensive gift from your kitchen.

A Gift for Yourself

You can do the same as a gift for yourself. Skip the pretty bag. Put the beans in a zip-top quart bag. Include the directions. Your future hungry self will thank you!

How to Cook with Vegetarian Chili Seasoning Mix

I created a separate post and recipe card to describe how to prepare chili with this Vegetarian Chili Seasoning Mix. It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

• 1. Rinse 1 pound (2 ½ cups) of pinto beans and drain. Transfer to a 6-quart Instant Pot.
• 2. Add 6 cups water, an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce, and the seasoning packet.
• 3. Cook in the Instant Pot for 35 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes. (Or cook in a slow cooker, or on the stove.)