There’s nothing quite like a big, bubbling pot of chili on a cozy evening—rich, spicy, and loaded with flavor. Whether you’re team beef, turkey, or strictly beans, one thing’s for sure: the beans can make or break your bowl.
You might think any ol’ can will do, but oh no, my friend—not all beans are created equal. Some hold their shape like chili champs, soaking up spices and delivering bite after beautiful bite.
Others? They turn your chili into a sad, soupy bean mash disaster you wouldn’t serve to your worst enemy (or your hungriest uncle at the Super Bowl party).
We taste-tested, simmered, and spooned our way through a variety of canned beans so you don’t have to learn the hard way. Whether you’re aiming for blue-ribbon chili greatness or just need a weeknight dinner that doesn’t suck, this list has you covered.
1. Great Value Pinto Beans
Let’s start off with the bad ones and work our way up to the elite ones.
These beans might win in the affordability department, but the same can’t be said for their chili compatibility.
Upon cooking, they tend to break down excessively, turning your chili into an unappetizing mush. It’s as if they’ve forgotten their role in the dish entirely, ending up in a state that resembles more of a thick soup than a hearty chili.
Adding to the disappointment, there’s an underlying metallic aftertaste that lingers with each bite. It’s a surprising twist that can overshadow even the most robust spices and flavors you’ve carefully orchestrated in your chili masterpiece.
If you’ve ever been excited about cooking up a storm, only to feel let down by a single ingredient, you know the heartbreak. These beans are best left on the shelf when you’re aiming for chili glory.
2. Bush’s Chili Beans – Kidney Beans in Mild Chili Sauce
At first glance, these beans sound like a promising addition to your chili pot. However, they come with a sauce that’s a bit too sweet, throwing off the delicate balance of flavors that chili aficionados strive for.
Instead of complementing the dish, they stick out like a sore thumb, overpowering your own spice mix. This overpowering sweetness can distract from the savory notes you worked hard to cultivate.
The balance between sweet, spicy, and savory is crucial in a good chili, and these beans lack the finesse needed to achieve that harmony. In the world of chili, where every ingredient plays a crucial role, these beans might not be the team player you hoped for.
They may leave you rethinking your choice mid-simmer.
3. Kroger Black Beans
Venturing into the world of black beans for chili sounds exciting until you meet Kroger’s version. While they’re decent in burritos, this isn’t their shining moment.
In chili, they quickly turn grainy, losing that satisfying texture that quality beans bring to the pot. Flavor-wise, they fall flat, offering little more than a bland backdrop to the spices and ingredients you’ve meticulously combined.
It’s a missed opportunity, as black beans can sometimes bring delightful depth to a dish. Their inability to hold shape during a long simmer means they can make your chili less appealing visually. A good bean should enhance, not hinder, your culinary creation.
4. Goya Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, might be fabulous in a Mediterranean dish, but in chili, they simply don’t make the cut. Their texture remains firm and dry, resisting any attempts to absorb the rich, spicy flavors that define a great chili.
Their stubborn nature means they never quite get with the program, standing out for all the wrong reasons. They might even make you question your choices as you stir them into your mix. Every bite leaves you yearning for the creamy, flavor-infused bite that other beans effortlessly provide.
In this case, it’s best to leave chickpeas for their starring roles elsewhere.
5. S&W Organic Pinto Beans
For those seeking organic options, these beans might initially appeal. Yet, their texture is where the trouble starts.
They’re almost too soft, breaking down into a mushy mess that can transform your chili into something akin to a thick stew. The softness might be a plus in other dishes, but in chili, it creates a consistency that leaves much to be desired.
Rather than adding heartiness, they make things soupy and lack the robust bite that good chili beans provide. If you’re hoping for beans that hold their own in a simmering pot, you might want to look elsewhere.
6. 365 Whole Foods Black Beans
Whole Foods usually stands for quality, but these black beans might be the exception. Instead of the rich, hearty taste one might expect, they deliver a surprisingly bland experience that leaves you reaching for the salt shaker.
Their watery nature doesn’t help either, thinning out your chili and diluting the complex flavors you’re aiming to build. This lack of depth means they’re outclassed by more robust bean choices.
The blandness is unexpected and can feel like a letdown, particularly for those who turn to Whole Foods for premium products. In the world of chili beans, these fall short of expectations.
7. Bush’s Best Chili Beans – Pinto Beans in Medium Sauce
Embracing these beans in your chili is like welcoming an old friend to dinner. They come pre-seasoned just right, adding a subtle boost to your chili without overshadowing the flavors you’ve lovingly crafted.
Their texture is on point — creamy enough to blend in while holding up to the long, slow simmer of a good chili. It’s a comforting addition, lending the perfect bite of heartiness.
These Pinto Beans bring a balance that many canned options miss, making them a reliable choice for a chili that hits all the right notes.
1. Eden Organic Kidney Beans
Moving on to the good stuff, we have Eden’s organic kidney beans.
With a clean taste that’s refreshingly straightforward, these kidney beans are a great pick for chili. Free from additives, they bring a purity that lets the true flavors of the dish shine through.
Their firm texture means they won’t disintegrate during cooking, maintaining a satisfying bite throughout. You can trust them to soak up all those delightful chili spices, enhancing each spoonful.
These beans are like the dependable best friend of your chili, always there to support and elevate without stealing the spotlight.
2. Goya Black Beans
Goya’s Black Beans are versatile and extremely adept at holding their own in a pot of chili. Their firm texture means they can withstand hours of simmering without turning to mush, maintaining the hearty consistency chili lovers crave.
They integrate seamlessly with a variety of chili styles, whether you’re going for beef, turkey, or even a veggie-based dish. Their flavor is robust enough to complement without overpowering.
In the world of black beans, Goya stands out as a brand that can deliver the goods, consistently elevating the chili experience.
3. La Preferida Pinto Beans
These pinto beans bring a slightly smoky note that’s nothing short of magical in chili. They’re well-seasoned, striking just the right balance between hearty and smooth without being overly salty.
When added to chili, they bring depth and complexity, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Their texture is perfect — not too soft, not too firm, just enough to add that desired bite.
For those who appreciate a bit of smoky goodness, these beans are a delightful surprise, adding that extra touch to make your chili memorable.
11. S&W Premium Chili Beans – Kidney Beans in Chili Sauce
These beans strike a wonderful balance in your chili pot. Unlike some of their competitors, the sauce here adds a gentle kick without veering into sweetness or overwhelming saltiness.
The kidney beans themselves have a lush texture that soaks up flavors beautifully, complementing rather than competing with the other ingredients. They’re like the supporting actor who knows just how to enhance the lead.
For a chili that sings with coordinated flavors, these beans are a smart choice, perfect for anyone looking to create a harmonious dish.
12. Trader Joe’s Organic Pinto Beans
Trader Joe’s serves up a consistently good can of pinto beans with these organic offerings. Their texture is just right — no mush, no sludge, just hearty beans that hold their own in a simmering pot.
Free from unwanted additives, these beans let the flavors of your chili shine, playing a supporting role that enhances without overshadowing. Whether you’re crafting a traditional beef chili or a veggie variant, they fit right in.
Their reliability makes them a go-to choice for anyone looking to create a pot of chili that’s both wholesome and flavorful.
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