A steaming bowl of chili has a way of cutting through winter gloom like few other comfort foods can. While homemade chili will always have its place, there are times when convenience wins—and a good canned chili can absolutely deliver.
To find out which options are actually worth buying, one dedicated taste test put 10 popular canned chilis head-to-head, and the results revealed a clear standout that now earns a permanent spot in the pantry.
This Canned Chili Beat Every Other Brand
Canned chili is one of the most divisive comfort foods on grocery store shelves. Some people want thick, meaty chili with no beans in sight, while others prefer a hearty, bean-filled version that can stand alone as a full meal. With so many brands and styles available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
To cut through the noise, I selected 10 widely available canned chilis, including both bean and no-bean varieties. Plant-based options were excluded to keep the comparison consistent. Each brand was evaluated on aroma, texture, flavor balance, and overall satisfaction, with the goal of identifying not just a winner, but which chilis are worth buying again—and which ones to skip entirely.
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Overview: How the Canned Chili Test Was Conducted
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of brands | 10 |
| Styles included | With beans and no beans |
| Preparation method | Heated on stovetop |
| Toppings used | None |
| Evaluation Factors | What Was Considered |
|---|---|
| Aroma | Smell upon opening and heating |
| Texture | Thickness, meatiness, beans |
| Flavor | Beef, spice, balance |
| Versatility | Meal vs topping use |
How I Chose and Tested Each Canned Chili
Each chili was purchased from local grocery stores, ensuring real-world availability. Only one variety per brand was selected to keep comparisons fair. Since chili with beans and chili without beans naturally differ in texture, each was judged within its category rather than against the other.
All cans were opened and assessed for aroma before heating. Some immediately smelled rich and savory, while others had unpleasant or metallic notes. Each chili was warmed on the stovetop, transferred into identical glass bowls, and tasted individually.
Between samples, milk and plain bread were used to reset the palate. Tortilla chips were also used to test how well each chili performed as a dip or topping. No cheese, sour cream, onions, or other garnishes were added so the chili itself could stand on its own merits.
The Lowest-Ranked Canned Chili: What Didn’t Work
Not every chili lived up to expectations. At the bottom of the list was Dollar General’s Clover Valley Chili With Beans, which suffered from off-putting flavors, strange textures, and a lack of beef. Armour Chili No Beans also ranked low due to its overly smooth, almost paste-like texture that made it better suited as a hot dog topping than a meal.
Mid-lower rankings included Kroger Original Chili With Beans and Walmart’s Great Value Chili With Beans. Both were serviceable but uninspiring, with watery textures and muted flavors. While affordable, neither offered anything memorable enough to seek out again.
These chilis weren’t inedible, but they reinforced the idea that not all canned chilis are created equal.
Canned Chili: Solid Middle Picks
Several chilis landed comfortably in the middle of the rankings. Wolf Brand Chili No Beans stood out for its thick texture and strong beef flavor, making it an excellent topping option. Aldi’s Brookdale Original Chili No Beans impressed with balanced seasoning and versatility, especially when paired with tortilla chips or hot dogs.
Hormel Chunky Beef Chili With Beans delivered exactly what its name promised: a thick, hearty chili packed with beans and beef. While the flavor leaned mellow, the texture made it satisfying and filling. These options didn’t quite reach top-tier status, but they’re reliable choices depending on how you plan to use them.
Top Three Canned Chili
The top three chilis separated themselves clearly from the rest of the pack.
Wendy’s Chili No Beans earned third place despite being thinner than expected. Its savory beef-and-vegetable flavor and subtle smokiness made it surprisingly enjoyable, especially for those who prefer a milder chili with large chunks of meat.
Campbell’s Chunky Chili With Beans secured second place thanks to its balanced flavor, creamy beans, and generous vegetable pieces. While slightly soupy, it tasted complete and comforting, with enough depth to feel like a full meal straight from the can.
Top-Ranked Canned Chilis
| Rank | Brand |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Link’s Original Chili No Beans |
| 2 | Campbell’s Chunky Chili With Beans |
| 3 | Wendy’s Chili No Beans |
| Strength | Why It Stood Out |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Rich, savory, balanced |
| Texture | Meaty and satisfying |
| Versatility | Meal or topping |
| Consistency | Reliable quality |
Clear Winner: Jack Link’s Original Chili No Beans
Taking the top spot was Jack Link’s Original Chili No Beans, a surprising but decisive winner. Known primarily for beef jerky, Jack Link’s delivered a chili that tasted closer to homemade than any other can in the lineup.
The beef flavor was bold and satisfying, supported by ancho chili powder, subtle sweetness from brown sugar, and small pieces of green pepper throughout. The texture struck the ideal balance—thick enough to feel hearty, yet spoonable without feeling heavy.
One standout feature was its nutritional profile. A single can contains roughly 40 grams of protein, making it one of the most protein-dense options tested. Combined with its rich flavor and generous meat content, it easily earned first place and became the only chili from the test worth buying again without hesitation.
Why This Canned Chili Stands Above the Rest
What set Jack Link’s chili apart wasn’t just flavor, but confidence. It didn’t rely on excessive salt, overpowering tomato sauce, or filler ingredients. Instead, it focused on beef, seasoning, and balance.
Unlike some bean-free chilis that feel like glorified sauces, this one worked equally well as a meal or a topping. It held its own in the bowl and paired beautifully with tortilla chips, hot dogs, or fries.
It also avoided the metallic or overly processed taste that plagued several lower-ranked competitors, making each bite feel intentional rather than mass-produced.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which canned chili ranked best overall?
Jack Link’s Original Chili No Beans ranked first due to its strong beef flavor, balanced seasoning, and hearty texture.
2. Are bean-free chilis better than chili with beans?
Not necessarily. Bean-free chilis tend to work better as toppings, while chili with beans is often more filling as a standalone meal.
3. What should you look for in a good canned chili?
Key factors include beef-forward flavor, balanced spices, satisfying texture, and minimal off-putting aromas.
4. Is canned chili high in sodium?
Yes, most canned chilis contain significant sodium, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation or balanced with lower-sodium meals.
While nothing fully replaces a pot of homemade chili, this taste test proves that one canned option comes remarkably close—and once you try it, there’s little reason to settle for anything else.
