Imagine getting home to a wonderful stovetop-made chili to warm up your weary bones. Is there anything cozier? It may seem unlikely, but you can get that without endless hours in the kitchen! The best tasting canned chili is not an urban myth: you can have great quality and taste without investing huge amounts of time.
I am all for reducing the work and increasing the fun: if I can find good chili that lets me have more free time, I am all for it! I have tried several brands, and these are my top 8 choices for the best canned chili (that I will pretend I made myself).
Table of Contents
Comparison of 8 Best Canned Chili in 2021
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Amy’s |
| Check Price ➜ |
 | Stagg |
| Check Price ➜ |
 | S & W |
| Check Price ➜ |
 | Campbell’s |
| Check Price ➜ |
 | Skyline |
| Check Price ➜ |
 | Wolf Brand Chili |
| Check Price ➜ |
 | Campbell’s |
| Check Price ➜ |
 | Hormel Chili |
| Check Price ➜ |
Top 8 Best Canned Chili Reviews in 2021
1. Amy’s Organic Chili with Vegetables
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Amy’s is a health-conscious brand founded in 1987 with the intent of providing the public with wholesome, organic food. Its Organic Chili lives up to those standards of healthful nutrition. At 230 calories and absolutely zero cholesterol, Amy’s Organic Chili is the healthiest choice on this list, as well as the best canned vegetarian chili.
This recipe does not have any beef or pork products, but it is full of wholesome vegetables. Do not let its healthy standards put you off, though! This canned chili is also great at being delicious. Its perfect level of hot and chunky will make you forget it is actually good for you!
The product comes in a set of twelve cans, so you’ll certainly be satisfied if you like chili a lot or have a large family with impeccable taste. The flavor isn’t too harsh, and it’s flavorful enough that you’ll not notice the absence of meat. It’s also quite low in salt!
If there was any drawback, it would be this: meat-lovers will have to add their own animal products to their chili. But, as canned meats are never the best, this could only be a turn for the better, don’t you think?
Also Read: The Best Spice Grinder – Brighten Your Every Dish
- This brand only uses BPA free cans.
- The chili is organic and holds an official certificate
- No gluten
- Bold but consistent flavor
- You will not find a better option, health-wise.
- Could be a little more spicy
2. Stagg Silverado Chili with Beans
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Much beloved by the general public, the Silverado Chili is a house name, beside being— interestingly enough— the very best canned chili for nachos. These 15 ounce cans come in manageable packs of 6, and contain silverado beef, good quality beans, and only 3% fat— though too much of that fat is of the bad sort.
With lots of veggies, the Silverado Chili is well-known for its taste. Jalapeños, delicious beef, and long simmering are all present in the rich flavor. I really like that this chili doesn’t come with any artificial additives. It’s quite a thick chili, and each can easily make two hearty meals.
- The taste is, put plainly, stellar
- Real, Texan homemade feel
- 860 milligrams of sodium per serving
3. S & W Canned Chili Beans
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We all eat chili for the burst of flavor and the rush of happiness that comes with each spoonful, right? But that’s not the only thing you should consider. Price and quality are some of the basic things to consider while buying food, and environmental implications should also be a fact.
If you’re like me and aren’t much fond of GMO food, or have a bone to pick with gluten or animal products, then you’re going to love this S & W canned chili. It is vegetarian, non-GMO and also gluten free, made from fresh pinto beans. To make the deal sweeter, it’s 100% made in the U. S.!
Talking about sweetness, if you think it’s a little too sweet, you could always add some pepperoncini or banana pepper. Yes, most people prefer chili with the savory goodness of meat, but you should also consider other avenues. This is one of the best canned vegetarian chili choices for you.
On the other hand if you mostly survive on non-veg, this is still something you should try out! This inexpensive pack of 12 chili bean cans can be the perfect supply for your pantry. Additionally, it’s a very healthy pick as the chili is low fat, high-protein and high-fiber. Lastly, the cans of this vegetarian chili corn are totally recyclable!
- 100% plant based protein
- Low fat option
- Gluten free and non-GMO
- Great for making hummus
- If you’re not fond of a sweet taste in your chili, you might not like this
4. Campbell’s Chunky Chili With Bean
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Campbell is one of the oldest and most well-known brand names in Canned-Products-Town. Their Chunky Chili Firehouse sure packs a punch! Beans, veggies, beef and pork crumble: this chili has it all. Many versatility and nutrition points! I will go ahead and say this is the best canned chili for chili dogs!
Hot and traditional, the Chunky Chili Firehouse goes great with game or party day foods. You can easily split this chili between two people or even two meals. The pull tab makes opening the can very convenient. While it is spicy enough to satisfy your craving for something hot, it’s not so spicy that your taste buds would be offended.
However, people who prefer to eat thick preparations of chili might find this one a little too runny. I’d suggest simmering it a little on the stove and then adding a lot of shredded cheese. Lastly, watch out for the high salt content!
- The packaging gives this product a slightly retro feel
- An easy to use pop top makes opening this can a walk in the park!
- The microwaveable container saves you a lot of time
- It contains less fat and calories than other canned chilis
- Cooked in the USA
- Steep sodium count for the nutritional value it contains, at 870 milligrams.
- Soy and wheat make it less than appropriate for people with allergies or sensitivities.
5. Skyline Chili Cans
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Although a little less beloved by the public than the previous product, Skyline Chili is one of the best tasting canned chili. It comes in packages of 4 small cups that will fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. This product is the commercially available version of the chili served in the famous Cincinnati restaurant Skyline.
This means you can get restaurant-type meals at home, as well as original destination flavors. It is somewhat different from other canned chilis on the market. This might be because of its particularly tangy flavor or its lack of beans. Beware, though, as it contains yeast!
The first time you eat it, you might feel like it is missing something. However, the trick is in preparing the Skyline Chili! You can’t just heat it up in the microwave and expect it to feel like gourmet chili. Simmer it over very low heat for 10-20 minutes and then eat it however you want. Do it, you’ll thank me!
Also Read: How To Cook The Most Delicious Canned Black Beans
- Tangy and sweet paprika notes give this chili a special, original touch
- If you want to feel like you are out on a fancy dinner date, go for it!
- No beans
- The texture of this chili can be sometimes grainy.
- It is a bit on the fatty side.
6. Wolf Brand Texas Style Chili with Beans
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The Wolf Brand Chili is one of the best canned chili beans out there. Authentic Texas style, this recipe is inspired by the communally sharing family table, and it brings that spirit to your meals. It is packed with veggies, beans, and meat, making it exceptionally nutritious! This package contains three cans full of 15 oz servings of chili with beans.
You can make a whole meal out of these cans of Wolf Brand chili! Its bold flavor and abundant nutrients mean that one cup yields two servings. If you’re on the lookout for something to serve with yout tacos or nachos, you can’t get anything better than this Wolf Brand chili.
Chili is what you want, and a can of this will provide just the right bit of sharp taste and flavor to your dishes. Even outside of snacks, this chili tastes absolutely delicious with simple staples like rice or potatoes. The customers were so happy, that some were clamouring that 3 cans in a package are not enough, they wanted 9 cans!
- It has just the right amount of spice!
- All the different ingredients make sure it is nutritionally balanced
- It has that hearty Texan homemade flavor
- Inexpensive
- The heat might be too much to handle for some people
7. Campbell’s Chunky Chili with Bean
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Another Campbell’s product! And how could I not include this canned chili, given that it is one of the best tasting chilis available? Chunky Chili Roadhouse is a powerhouse of beans, spicy pork and delicious, hearty peppers. Is your mouth watering too?
Big, chunky pieces that are super filling will give you 240 calories per serving, as well as loads of vitamins A and C. The difference between the Roadhouse and the Firehouse I reviewed before is that this one does not have chipotle, and it is perfect for eating with rice!
If you’re fond of an undertone of sweetness running under all that fire, this chili is definitely good for you. However, I know some people who like their chili to be fiery hot with nothing to distract from the taste. People like that might not appreciate this chili’s taste.
- Super filling! Hearty and warmed up
- There is a generous amount of meat in this can!
- The size is very generous
- Can be runny
8. HORMEL Home Style Chili With Beans
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Hormel’s Home Style Chili with beans contains 15 ounces of ready to eat chili in each can. Hormel specializes in creating crowd-pleasing solutions, and this product is not the exception to the rule. This is a chili that contains beef, beans and very little amount of wheat flour: not apt for vegetarians.
And even though the amount of wheat flour is really low (2%) I would still advise people with gluten sensitivity to avoid this. However, the easy prep— pop it open, warm it up, serve!— wins over many picky eaters. You can just pour this on a good quality saute pan and it’ll make your dinner that much more memorable!
A shortcut to an otherwise time-consuming meal, the Home Style Chili is rich in protein and can be used in more elaborate recipes. I should say that this product is the best canned chili for chili cheese!
In my experience, this is one of the best canned chilis out there to work as a recipe base. You can add it to a lot of preparations and enhance the flavor in a jiffy. Next time someone asks for the secret ingredient in your casserole, you know what to say!
- Minimal preparation time
- Easy pull tab for instant serving
- Slow cooked, hearty and protein filled
- It is great for crowd situations
- The meaty taste is offset by a lovely zesty flavor
- The consistency can be a little bit soup-like on occasion
Is Canned Chili Healthy? What to Look for
Many people believe canned food is not healthy and, for this reason, they refuse to buy it. It is sad, because they are missing out on tasty meals that don’t take hours of slaving away in the kitchen. Do not fall into this trap!
Of course, not all canned food is created equal. There are some things that make some products healthier than others. In the first place, look for any damage to the can itself. If there are any dents, severe bumps, leakage or other signs of harm, don’t buy it! There might be dangerous bacteria growing inside that can make you very sick.
Getting into the finer details, you are always safer going for cans that are BPA-free. Also keep in mind low sodium counts, lack of preservatives and presence of organic ingredients as positive things when choosing your canned chili.
Also Read: Best Pizza Pan – Top Reviews to Bake Pizzas at Home
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Bad Is Canned Chili for You?
A: Some canned chilies are quite full of fat and high in sodium. However, if you make sure to buy one with a lot of vegetables, then one serving can be quite healthy.
Q: Do You Have to Heat Up Canned Chili?
A: Not necessarily. Since canned chili is pre-cooked, you can eat it straight from the can in a pinch. However, that’s not going to taste the best. Therefore, I always recommend heating canned chili before consuming. While heating up a can of chili in the microwave oven would suffice, for best results I would suggest simmering it on stovetop, low heat.
Q: Why Are Dented Cans Bad?
A: If you even end up with a dented, leaking or bulging can of chili, return it and definitely do not consume it. These cans can cause you to become sick with botulism and it can be fatal for you.
Go Have the Tastiest, Easiest Chili Meal Ever
No matter which of these canned options you pick, you have a guaranteed meal! Now, to make the best of it— and of your budget and time—, come back to this guide anytime you need to choose. I hope my experience and tips are helpful to you! Now smile, eat, and get warm. And always remember to make the time you have as fun and stress-free as possible.
