Chili vs. Taco Seasoning: What’s the Difference?

Chili seasoning and taco seasoning are both delicious Tex-Mex blends that can help you to put a tasty meal on the table. But while they do share a lot of ingredients in common, there are a few differences in seasoning for chili vs. taco seasoning, which largely come down the proportions of their ingredients.

The main ingredient in chili seasoning is chili powder, which is made from dried and ground chili peppers. This powder adds an earthy and slightly spicy flavor to your chili. Chili seasoning also includes ingredients like cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, which contribute to the rich and savory profile of chili seasoning.

Taco seasoning also contains cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, but it produces a very different result. That’s because taco seasoning uses less chili powder and more cumin than chili seasoning does. The blend of flavors in taco seasoning enhances the taste of taco fillings like ground beef or chicken.

Can You Use Taco Seasoning for Chili?

In a pinch, if you don’t have chili seasoning but you do have taco seasoning, you can use it to make chili. However, you should cut back the amount a little bit and make up the difference with chili powder if you want to achieve a more chili-like flavor profile.