Are you one of those chili lovers who doesn’t even blink when eating a chili? If so, I’m sure you have a favorite canned chili somewhere in your pantry. Chili is a warm-up food for many. I remember my grandma used to prepare hot chili sauce during winter to spice up a freezing day.

It was more on homemade chili long time ago. However, due to its popularity, there are plenty of chili products sold in cans in the market nowadays. For all who loves hot food all the time, canned chili is practical for you.

What is the Best Canned Chili that suits your taste?

Our Top Picks for 2023

The canned chili products in the top list are winners based on customer reviews, actual sales, and some personal testimonies. I came up with the best canned chili to help you choose the right kind. The products are made by trusted manufacturers and gained the most positive reviews based on quality and cost.

1. Hormel Less Salt Chili with Beans: My Choice for a Quick Breakfast

 

If you like your canned chili with beans, then this is your pick. Although some express their disagreement with beans mixed with chili, there’s no denying that this combination tastes superb. Hormel made this mixture with 25% less sodium compared to regular canned chili without beans.

It has rich flavors of tender beef, tomato paste, and spices for the genuine chili taste. As a perfect source of protein (16 grams), this product is excellent for chili sliders, bowls, and dips. Besides, there are no artificial ingredient, no preservatives added in the blend, and can coating do not contain BPA.

This is the best alternative when you don’t have time to make chili sauce from scratch. For those that are always on the go, a quick and easy meal preparation is convenient.

Ingredients:

1. Water 2. Beef 3. Beans 4. Concentrated Crushed Tomatoes 5. Corn Flour 6. Chili Powder and Peppers 7. Salt 8. Modified Cornstarch 9. Sugar 10. Spices/onions 11. Green Chili, Jalapeno peppers

 

2. Wolf Brand Chili No Beans: My Choice for Recipes That Calls for Spicy Sauce

 

The wolf brand made this “no beans” chili for those who want it simple like the old times. If you have problems with consuming beans, this product is your choice. This is also perfect to blend in with other ingredients that you have in mind.

Do you know what this canned chili is best for? It’s an excellent sauce for breakfast Mexican recipe Chilaquiles. This is a bit higher in price than other kinds but it’s worth it.

Take note though that this also contains soy. If you can’t tolerate soy, this is not recommendable for you.

Ingredients:

1. Beef and pork 2. Water3. Tomato puree 4. Rolled oats 5. Textured vegetable protein 6. Chili pepper2% of salt, sugar, spices, garlic powder, soy, caramel color, and sodium

 

3. Amy’s Kitchen Organic Spicy Chili: My Choice for the Best Organic Chili

 

This spicy Mexican organic chili with medium beans and vegetables makes the canned chili a favorite pick for those who love strong taste of spice blended with sweetness. A 590 g can of chili contains 25% sodium, 30% of vitamin A and 15% of vitamin C, 4% calcium and 10% of iron.

The product does not use eggs, fish, and peanuts. Hence, it does not impose a high risk for allergy-prone consumers. It’s guaranteed that Amy’s Kitchen ingredients are grown without the use of harmful chemicals and GMO’s.

Being a good source of protein and fiber, this canned chili that is not too hot and spicy tastes best with rice and meat. Not bad for a family business that promotes organic and healthy food. A shout out to all vegans out there, this canned chili is for you!

Ingredients: (Organic)

1. Red Beans 2. Filtered Water 3. Onions 4. Tofu 5. Bell Peppers 6. Rice Flour 7. High Oleic Safflower 8. Sunflower Oil 9. Jalapeno Peppers 10. Spices 11. Garlic 12. Sea salt

 

4. Skyline Original Chili Recipe: My Choice To Mix With My Pasta

 

I’ll let you be the judge of this one. I trust that you love the traditional taste of chili sauce which contains carefully picked ingredients. It’s neither salty nor bland for my taste, but it sure has a thick and spicy tang on it.

I invented my own “Chili spaghetti” with this canned chili and found out that sprinkling parmesan or cheddar on top of the pasta makes the taste incredible and amazing.

I tell you, it’s perfect for your tortilla dips shared with everyone after the party. In each can, it’s packed with a bit of calcium, iron, Vitamin A and C, protein, and sodium.

However, considering the reasonable price and the superb taste, I opt to choose this whenever I run out of my favorite chili blend. I recommend that you stock this in your pantry since it comes in handy for quick bites.

Ingredients:

1. Beef 2. Water 3. Tomato sauce (water, tomato paste, dehydrated onion, garlic, paprika, and natural flavors)

 

5. Nalley Chili Con Carne with Beans: My Choice When I Crave for Home Cooking

 

Honestly, I grab this one first when I do the grocery. I love the taste of the well-cooked beans, tender and soft along with its chili sauce. A can of this chili offers high fiber with a minimum fat level in every serving. Not bad for health-conscious chili fanatics.

Do you know why I stick to this product? It reminds me of the homemade taste of my grandma’s chili with beans. Yeah, it’s not just the nutrition, but the familiar flavor of it as well. Let me share with you a secret; Add a bit of your favorite Tabasco, and it will give you the kicks!

Ingredients:

1. Water 2. Beef 3. Beans 4. Tomato Paste 5. Salt Spices 6. Wheat Flour 7. Malted Barley 8. Soy protein/Soy/Wheat 9. Sugar 10. Paprika 11. Flavorings

 

Buying Guide: Best Canned Chili

Choosing your canned chili is not that difficult at all. If you are that curious and determined to start eating spicy recipes, you need to know what to consider when buying one. Here are some facts you need to know when picking the right one for you.

Types of Canned Chili

For variations, there are different types of canned chili that you can choose from in the supermarket. Depending on how you like your food to be, one of these types if not all could land as a regular in your kitchen.

Chili con carne

The traditional spicy stew never fades when it comes to taste. This classic spicy sauce consists of chili peppers, tomatoes, beans, and meat. You may find that the usual seasoning for this blend is onions, garlic, and cumin.

Because of the diverse cooking culture each cumin country has, using chili con carne may be a basic dish for one or merely an ingredient for some. The seasonings may also change depending on the different taste preference. However, no matter what, using canned chili saves up time in preparing meals.

Chili Verde

This canned green chili could be super spicy or mild sauce or stew. It contains roasted green chili, tomatillos, garlic, and bits of cooked pork in chicken soup. You may find some products with tomatoes, but mostly it does not have. If you are fond of burritos, then you have been eating Chili Verde all the while.

White Chili

Are you surprised to know about white chili? It’s just called white chili because the dish color turns out white after cooking. Canned white chili contains bits of roasted chicken breasts or turkey meat, white beans and cream sauce instead of beef and tomato sauce.

If you have problems of hyperacidity or cannot tolerate spiciness, and you want your chili dish to be mild, choose this type of canned chili.

Vegetable mix with the chili

I like the idea of mixing other vegetables inside the canned chili. It makes the blend more flavorful and healthy. Check the labels of the can and choose those that have the vegetables that you like. Some likes it to be pure chili, but others also love the chili-veggie mixture. Therefore, manufacturers made a variety of it particularly beans and tomato to suit the taste of consumers.

Meat-based and Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarians out there must be happy to know that there are products that don’t have meat and contains purely chili and vegetables. Because of some meat substitutes (beets, squash, mushrooms), it simply tastes like real meat.

For meat lovers like me, plenty of canned chili with meat is available that you can buy. You can choose between beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. You can choose between cubed or ground, chunky, creamy, and tender type of meats. I know that many differ in preference so you can mix your own seasonings, vegetables, and kind of meat in accordance to your liking.

Spiciness

What is your tolerance when it comes to spicy food? Do you know that it’s even a challenge nowadays? Check the label of the canned chili, and you’ll see that the level of spiciness is indicated. Choose whether you like medium, medium-hot, hot, and super hot.

The spiciness of the canned chili is dependent on the kind of chili used to make it. Some like it mild, but for the extremes, they want it super spicy.

Thickness

Every brand has their own signature blend. Therefore, the thickness may differ. This is helpful when you want to cook several recipes that require different thickness. I commonly use the beef patty, tomato paste, and stew-like thickness.

FAQ

How can I make canned chili taste better?

There are several ways to make canned chili taste better:

1. Add fresh ingredients: Adding fresh vegetables like onions, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes can enhance the flavor of the chili. Sauté the vegetables in a pan with some oil until they soften and add them to the canned chili.
2. Add spices: Canned chili can be bland, so adding spices can really make a difference. Try adding chili powder, cumin, paprika, or cayenne pepper to add some depth and heat to the chili.
3. Add meat: If the canned chili doesn’t have meat, adding ground beef or turkey can give it some substance and flavor.
4. Add beans: Canned chili usually has beans, but adding more can make it heartier and more flavorful. Try adding kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans.
5. Top it with cheese and sour cream: Adding shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream can make the chili taste creamier and more indulgent.
6. Serve it with cornbread: Serving canned chili with some homemade cornbread can make for a delicious and comforting meal.

Is there a way to lower the amount of sodium in canned chili?

Yes, there are several ways to lower the amount of sodium in canned chili:

1. Rinse the beans: Most canned chili contains beans that are packed in a high-sodium liquid. Rinsing the beans before adding them to the chili can reduce the amount of sodium in the dish.
2. Use low-sodium or no-salt-added canned ingredients: Look for canned ingredients that are labeled as low-sodium or no-salt-added when making your chili. This can significantly reduce the overall sodium content.
3. Make your own chili: Making your own chili from scratch allows you to control the amount of sodium that goes into the dish. You can use fresh ingredients and spices to flavor the chili without relying on high-sodium canned ingredients.
4. Dilute the chili: Adding water or low-sodium broth to the canned chili can dilute the sodium content and make it less salty.
5. Use herbs and spices instead of salt: Using herbs and spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika can add flavor to the chili without adding extra sodium.

Is canned chili healthy?

Canned chili can be a convenient and affordable meal option, but whether or not it’s healthy depends on the specific brand and ingredients used.

Many canned chili brands contain high amounts of sodium, preservatives, and additives. Excessive consumption of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Additionally, some canned chili brands may contain added sugars or unhealthy fats, which can contribute to weight gain and other health issues.

However, there are some healthier options available on the market that use quality ingredients and have lower sodium content. It’s important to read the nutrition label and ingredient list carefully when purchasing canned chili to make sure it aligns with your dietary goals and needs.

If you’re looking for a healthier option, making your own chili from scratch using fresh ingredients and lean proteins can be a good alternative. This allows you to control the sodium content and avoid additives and preservatives.

Does canned chili need to be cooked?

Canned chili typically comes pre-cooked and ready to eat straight out of the can. However, some people prefer to heat it up before consuming it for a more enjoyable and comforting meal.

If you choose to heat up canned chili, you can do so on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven. Simply pour the chili into a pot or microwave-safe dish and heat it until it’s hot and bubbly.

It’s important to note that if you do decide to heat up canned chili, be sure to follow proper food safety guidelines. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking and consume them within three to four days. Additionally, be sure to reheat any leftovers thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming.

Can I heat canned chili in its container?

It’s generally not recommended to heat canned chili in its container because most cans are not designed to withstand the heat of a stove, microwave, or oven. Heating canned chili in its container can cause the can to swell or even explode, which can be dangerous.

Instead, it’s best to transfer the canned chili to a pot or microwave-safe dish before heating it up. This allows for more even heating and reduces the risk of any harmful chemicals leaching into the food from the can.

If you do decide to heat up canned chili in its container, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and use a can opener to fully remove the lid before heating. Never heat up canned chili in a can that has been opened partially or with a broken seal, as this can increase the risk of contamination.

Final Thoughts

What can I say? The top five on my list are the best canned chili for me. I already noted the reasons above why each of them is the best for me. Remember, for the categories that I indicated, they are the best than the other products on the market.

When I feel homesick, I grab the Nalley Chili. Skyline chili is perfect for my spaghetti, and if I’m motivated to eat healthily, Amy’s organic suits best. For the adventurous me, it’s a challenge to eat Wolf’s spicy chili with friends and bring along Hormel’s Chili for a quick breakfast at work.

See? They all are the best! What’s about you? What is your best pick?

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