Is there a really decent canned chili?

[Jakedog]

I’m just wondering. I’m a big believer in the idea that homemade anything is better than canned anything. I make a lot of my own soups, and I have several different great chilis I can throw together.

But fall and winter are big time chili and soup season for me, and I’m a busy guy who doesn’t always have to time to shop, prep, and cook. Therefore I keep a selection of canned soups handy for when I need something speedy with minimal cleanup. They’re not as good as anything homemade, but they definitely get the job done in a pinch.

Chili is a different story. I have never found a decent canned chili. Don’t get me wrong, when I want chili dogs, the 99 cent generic can of hot dog chili is the ONLY way to get it done so it tastes like an old school drive-in dog. But for an actual bowl of chili, to eat as a stand-alone meal, it’s all just crap. If anyone has a suggestion that isn’t, I’m all ears.

 

[dented]

I have two cans of "back up chili" in the cabinet for more than a year. I prefer to stop at our local grocery store that has a deli counter with hot soups and chili. I buy a large container and use it as a chili dinner or for hot dogs or I put it over tamales also. The counter is self serve so I can be in and out of there in 5 minutes tops. I'll have to look at the date on the cans......Good luck.

 

[Jakedog]

I have two cans of "back up chili" in the cabinet for more than a year. I prefer to stop at our local grocery store that has a deli counter with hot soups and chili. I buy a large container and use it as a chili dinner or for hot dogs or I put it over tamales also. The counter is self serve so I can be in and out of there in 5 minutes tops. I'll have to look at the date on the cans......Good luck.

My “chili in a hurry” option has been the Wendy’s drive-thru. It’s a long way from top shelf, but it’s leaps and bounds beyond anything I’ve found in a can. I wish I had a deli counter that had good soups and chili!

 

[ghostwolf]

For canned chili, Wolf brand isn't too bad, imo. It's available with or without beans, which is definitely a point in it's favor for me; beans have no place in chili, again, imo. Also comes in varying heat levels, again, a nice feature.

 

[McGoldTopp]

No

 

[Killing Floor]

NO!

 

[dogmeat]

Bush's

 

[Jakedog]

Bush's

I have not tried that one. I thought they only did baked beans. I’ll give it a shot.

 

[bottlenecker]

Closest I've found is frozen skyline chili, and it's not that great. But I'd rather eat it than the home made bean soup people often call chili.

 

[Masmus]

It might be worth your while to find a hispanic supermarket, sometimes they carry brands from Mexico that I have found better than US brands. They may even have something fresh.

 

[bgmacaw]

I like Vietti Chile. No "textured vegetable protein" in it.

 

[Beebe]

One might work as a starter.

The trick to great chili is to make really good chili and then put some of it in the blender and then mix it back in.

 

[brookdalebill]

No

NO!

Amen, and AMEN!
Canned chili is bitter, acid-ey, has too much chili powder, red pepper, beans, and is often greasy.
No me gusta.
I agree with (most) Texans (though I’m not one) on this, no beans, no can.
Meat and spices, only, por favor!

 

[stxrus]

No. Not that I’ve found. Wolf Brand for dogs is doable. Hormell, if it’s all the store has.
I didn’t know Bush’s made a chili.

When we do soup it’s a big batch. We freeze about 2/3s in packages that each contains 4 bowls worth. we just finished up the turkey soup made back in August. There is one package of southwest chowder left.

 

[Refugee]

My “chili in a hurry” option has been the Wendy’s drive-thru. It’s a long way from top shelf, but it’s leaps and bounds beyond anything I’ve found in a can. I wish I had a deli counter that had good soups and chili!

Took the words right outta my mouth. Wendy's.

Actually the Safeway Steakhouse Chili is pretty good, from the deli, cold. Bring on the saltines, not oyster crackers. The added salt makes it juuuuust right.

 

[Greenmachine]

I'm no expert but here in Canada I've eaten Stagg chili from a can and it was tasty.

 

[Vibroluxer]

What about with hot dogs? Canned chili works in a pinch. Not preferred but good enough on top of a dog.

And chili has meat. And no beans.

 

[Wildeman]

Stagg

 

[MickM]

I'm not from Texas so chili without beans is just a topping or dip. No offense, just the way I was raised up.

 

[drf64]

For canned chili, Wolf brand isn't too bad, imo. It's available with or without beans, which is definitely a point in it's favor for me; beans have no place in chili, again, imo. Also comes in varying heat levels, again, a nice feature.

In 1994 I was a resident working in the Houston VA hospital. A man young to me now, old to me then, 50 ish, came in with a headache. I had to go in and tell him the CT showed a brain tumor. I told him how sorry I was and we would do everything possible for him. Dude was a typical vet, tough as nails and Texas down to business. He inhaled rather sharply, exhaled slowly and said “son, There’s only one thing I need right now. A can of Wolf, no beans. Can you do that?” Luckily we had them in the vending machines. Bought him one and a can of Dr Pepper. I realized that night that sometimes the best thing I you can do is give a guy what he asks for.