Chili: Beans or not?

I use fresh venison and beans.....to each his own, its all good for the most part

[SeanGAR]

I will eat anything but make mine with beans.

[kaisersozei]

I have two chili recipes I swear by: one with beans, one without. The one with beans also has sirloin tips, andouille and bacon

While up in DC for a meeting not too long ago, I had lunch at the Smithsonian American Indian Museum. They have a very interesting cafe, serving tribal foods from various native cultures (Plains, Woodland, Northwest, South American, etc.) I had buffalo chili, which was great.

[KidRock]

Without Beans!!

[jjirons69]

For hotdogs and hamburgers, no beans.

For stand-alone chili, beans, red or kidney.

[jquirit]

For my chili it's usually with beans (pinto and white). Trying to eat better, so the added beans give me some added fiber I need in my diet.

[SvilleKid]

I fall into the "with Beans" category, simply because I like beans in my chili. Always have. Of course, that is for stand alone chili. On hot dogs, strictly bean free!

I generally make mine with a combination of ground Venison and cubed venison. Haven't made it with beef in several years. Actually laid out 2 pounds of venison to thaw for cubing for chili in the next day or two. Mainly use fresh pepper from the garden, but I picked them all a couple of weeks ago to clear the space for turning under for winter. That reminds me, I have to go pull some peppers out of the freezer for the chili.

An additional dimension to this discussion: What do you eat with your chili??

I prefer grilled cheese sandwiches, but will eat with cheese and chips as an alternative. Even been known to eat it without additional sides. But, always with beans.

[White97Jimmy]

I'll eat it either way. When I make it in my crock pot, I usually throw some in, along with some corn.

[macpappy]

Born a Texan, raised a Texan, eat chili like a Texan.

It was originally called chili con carne and it didn't have beans in it. It didn't have bacon in it. You don't serve it over rice.

All it is is cubed or ground beef with chili peppers and onions seasoned with salt, pepper and cumin and cooked over a slow fire in a cast iron dutch oven. It was made by the camp cook while the ranch hands were out on the range. It was served with warm tortillas or cornbread.

Then there was a desire to stretch the chili to feed more people, so the cooks started adding tomatoes and beans. BUT THEY STILL DIDN'T SERVE IT OVER RICE.

Then there is that stuff they call hot dog chili which is usually just a liquified chili.

Now, good chili can be made with beef, buffalo, venison, or even elk. IF IT'S MADE USING CHICKEN, TURKEY, VEGETABLES OR SOY PRODUCTS DON'T CALL IT CHILI. Call it soup or stew or something but it ain't chili.

Now, all that being said, I occasionally like to have my chili (with or without beans) over Frito corn chips and topped with red onions and cheese.

Chili doesn't have to be hot to be good. However, when I'm cooking chili people know it's right when they walk into the kitchen and break out in a sweat. I measure how hot the chili by the number of beers you have to drink per bowl. I like two beers to the bowl.

[TonySmith]

Originally Posted by macpappy

Born a Texan, raised a Texan, eat chili like a Texan.

It was originally called chili con carne and it didn't have beans in it. It didn't have bacon in it. You don't serve it over rice.

All it is is cubed or ground beef with chili peppers and onions seasoned with salt, pepper and cumin and cooked over a slow fire in a cast iron dutch oven. It was made by the camp cook while the ranch hands were out on the range. It was served with warm tortillas or cornbread.

Then there was a desire to stretch the chili to feed more people, so the cooks started adding tomatoes and beans. BUT THEY STILL DIDN'T SERVE IT OVER RICE.

Then there is that stuff they call hot dog chili which is usually just a liquified chili.

Now, good chili can be made with beef, buffalo, venison, or even elk. IF IT'S MADE USING CHICKEN, TURKEY, VEGETABLES OR SOY PRODUCTS DON'T CALL IT CHILI. Call it soup or stew or something but it ain't chili.

Now, all that being said, I occasionally like to have my chili (with or without beans) over Frito corn chips and topped with red onions and cheese.

Chili doesn't have to be hot to be good. However, when I'm cooking chili people know it's right when they walk into the kitchen and break out in a sweat. I measure how hot the chili by the number of beers you have to drink per bowl. I like two beers to the bowl.

It needs to be hot

[chippewastud79]

This thread inspired some home made chili, can't wait until tommorow

[ucla695]

Originally Posted by TonySmith

It needs to be hot

Great point!

Originally Posted by macpappy

Born a Texan, raised a Texan, eat chili like a Texan.

It was originally called chili con carne and it didn't have beans in it. It didn't have bacon in it. You don't serve it over rice.

All it is is cubed or ground beef with chili peppers and onions seasoned with salt, pepper and cumin and cooked over a slow fire in a cast iron dutch oven. It was made by the camp cook while the ranch hands were out on the range. It was served with warm tortillas or cornbread.

Then there was a desire to stretch the chili to feed more people, so the cooks started adding tomatoes and beans. BUT THEY STILL DIDN'T SERVE IT OVER RICE.

Then there is that stuff they call hot dog chili which is usually just a liquified chili.

Now, good chili can be made with beef, buffalo, venison, or even elk. IF IT'S MADE USING CHICKEN, TURKEY, VEGETABLES OR SOY PRODUCTS DON'T CALL IT CHILI. Call it soup or stew or something but it ain't chili.

Now, all that being said, I occasionally like to have my chili (with or without beans) over Frito corn chips and topped with red onions and cheese.

Chili doesn't have to be hot to be good. However, when I'm cooking chili people know it's right when they walk into the kitchen and break out in a sweat. I measure how hot the chili by the number of beers you have to drink per bowl. I like two beers to the bowl.

Spoken like a true native son. Couldn't agree more. Matter of fact, though, my wife (who's not from Texas) asked me tonight to make some chili, but only if it didn't burn both ways like it usually does!

Originally Posted by livwire68

I usually just do a pot of pinto's and add my pulled pork or brisket. I really have not made chili, but was thinking of doing the same. Put me in for beans with chili.

My mom does this. But she doesn't call it chili

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

An additional dimension to this discussion: What do you eat with your chili??

Saltine crackers or cornbread.


If you know beans about chili, you know chili ain't got know beans. "Chili" is "chili con carne" shortened, and refers not just to the chili pepper, but a preparation using chili peppers and various spices. With meat added. I've eaten at a lot of Mexican food joints and I've never seen chili con carne y frijoles, or chili con carne y arroz on any menu.

Having said all that, I use a recipe called "Chili Blanco" that calls for chicken, great northern white beans, and green chilis (Anaheim is best). Garnished with green onion and grated pepper jack. It is awesome.

[Comicbookfreak]

Bean!

[ucla695]

I don't feel strongly either way, but I tend to prefer my chili with beans. I feel it adds to the texture and taste. Actually, come to think of it, I don't recall eating it without.

[jcarlton]

Without beans for me served with diced onion and shredded extra sharp cheddar. I will eat chili with beans but this becomes a real possibility.

[ConMan]

I always add some beans to the Chili.... but I do take it easy on 'em.

[elderboy02]

No beans!

My favorite is Skyline Chili.

I order a cheese coney with no onions or mustard and a 3-Way (Chili, Spaghetti, and Cheese) when I get Skyline!

[chippewastud79]

Made some chili from the inspiration of this thread. It was damn tasty

A little different then what I normally make, but good