Presented here, by a professional chef and food writer with a two- year culinary degree, is an objective and un-biased consumer product comparison review of three brands of canned and jarred chili with beans; Hormel(R) Chili with Beans, Campbell’s(R) Chunky Chili with Beans and Bush’s Best(R) Homestyle Chili with Beans.
A) Hormel Chili with Beans Probably the most well- known and most commonly- seen brand of the canned and jarred chilis being reviewed here, Hormel Chili with Beans provides the heartiest, no- nonsense, stick- to- your- ribs chili sensation of all three brands. Slightly firm beans and flavorful beef modules swim in a deep, rich, brownish- red sauce, spiced with just the right amount of chili powder. The consistency of this outstanding chili is somewhat thick, lending itself well to sitting atop hot dogs, pasta or nachos. A truly delicious all- purpose chili, Hormel Chili with Beans is especially wonderful served with pasta, a ‘la Chili Mac, with a garden salad and toasty garlic bread on the side.
Besides being the best overall chili of all three brands reviewed, Hormel Chili with Beans is also generally the least expensive of all three canned and jarred chilis. Hormel(R) Chili with Beans, in its familiar yellow and red can, is the most highly- recommended of all the canned and jarred chilis’ reviewed here. Nutritionally, this canned chili with beans contains 260 calories, with 60 calories from fat, per one- cup serving.
Campbell’s Chunky Chili with Beans Although the packaging is attractive enough, with a simmering cauldron of chili set against a black background, emblazoned with the Campbell’s Chunky(R) logo, one can’t help but wonder if this brand of canned chili is really a soup in disguise. Full of good- sized chunks of tasty beef, firm kidney beans and tomatoes in a slightly- spicy red sauce, this canned chili looks great. Upon tasting however, an underlying flavor of Campbell’s Vegetable Soup seems to skirt with the tongue. While the flavor, texture and consistency of this chili is by no means bad, the sauce could use a little improvement, in the flavor department. The prescence of bits of tomato in this canned chili add a lot to the flavor and presentation.
Although it is not the best of the canned and jarred chilis reviewed here, Campbell’s Chunky Chili with Beans is still a very good canned chili. The overall taste and texture is pleasant enough, but it seems to lack a sense of “oomph”, or a “kick” to it. Presentation- wise, this brand of canned chili with beans, is very attractive and colorful. Nutritionally, this canned chili with beans contains 220 calories, with 70 calories from fat, per one- cup serving.
Bush’s Best Homestyle Chili with Beans Packaged in a short, squat, interesting- shaped glass jar, Bush’s Homestyle Chili with Beans, at first glance, resembles one of their many varieties of baked beans. The color of this very good jarred chili is close to that of their baked beans, but the resemblance stops there. This brand of chili has a fresh and dynamic taste all its own. Firm kidney and pinto beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions and very good beef are held together in a thick, reddish- brown sauce that is delightfully spicy. A wonderful balance of smoky chili powder and a faintly- garlicky sweetness give this chili a memorable flavor. The flavor, texture and consistency of this jarred chili make it a great choice for chili dogs, chili dips, burritos, nachos and atop pasta, for Chili Mac. Overall, this brand of chili with beans displays positive attributes and provides for a delicious side dish, topping, or main- meal. Nutritionally, this jarred chili with beans contains 250 calories, with 90 calories from fat, per one- cup serving.
