To Bean or Not to Bean | Tragic Comedy

Scott Hardie | February 22, 2015
Do beans belong in chili? Kelly says yes, I say no, and it reminds me of Slate's recent opinion piece on the subject. What do you like chili to be made of?

Steve West | February 22, 2015
Ground beef, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, tomato paste, canned diced tomatoes and yes, kidney beans. Top servings with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese. Yum.

Samir Mehta | February 22, 2015
[hidden by request]

Scott Hardie | February 22, 2015
I would think that chili powder is the single most essential part of chili -- without it, that's not chili. But everyone has their own priorities and recipes, Texan traditions be damned.

Whatever the "official" standard, for me personally, it's just that I don't like beans in chili. They're fine in vegetable soup and some other dishes, but in a flavorful chili, they're bland and tasteless and have an unappealing mashy texture. If I want carbs or starch with my chili, I'll make it chili mac by pouring it over noodles, or add a layer of Fritos on top of the bowl. I haven't tried chili served as Frito pie but I'm sure that I'd like that.

I don't take my culinary cues from Taco Bell, but I do remember working there in the nineties when chili was present in the kitchen (for chili cheese burritos) and beans not being in it. When it was discontinued and customers still wanted it, we made a close approximation by stirring ground beef with red sauce, again without beans.

I wish I could get some chili today without breaking diet...

Steve West | February 22, 2015
Go Team Bean! Go Team Carnivore!