The Absolute Best Canned Chili, Ranked

Oct 18, 2024

Ahh, glorious, glorious chili. Who doesn't love cozying up with a hearty, beefy bowl on a brisk winter day? While homemade chili undoubtedly reigns supreme, there's something particularly comforting about the convenience of cracking open a can of this rustic, homestyle dish, putting it on the stove, and enjoying the aromas (and time saved) before digging in.

There are different chili styles to please all palates, from meaty, bean-free varieties to robust vegetarian stews. Some argue that beans have no place in traditional chili and that it should be all-meat, tomatoes, and spices, while others prefer the texture that veggies and beans can add to a plant-based chili. In the end, there's really no wrong way to do chili.

I sampled and ranked — from worst to best — a diverse range of some of the most popular canned chilis on the market based on flavor, consistency, and versatility. So whether you're looking for a chili that tastes just like the one mom used to make, attempting to create the perfect chili dog, or you're stocking up on quality canned meals to save you time and money, let this list guide you toward your new favorite quick and easy chili.

Hormel, the uncontested king of chili, almost always gets it right. Almost. The 130-year-old company is most famous for its canned chili, which comes in a plethora of different varieties. I had high expectations for the company's meaty, bean-less chili, as I expected it to be the perfect hot dog topping for the ultimate savory, filling, backyard barbecue indulgence. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

There's really only one word needed to describe this bean-free Hormel chili: slimy. It exited the can with a horrifying "shloop" noise and left a jelly-like residue behind. Visually speaking, this chili is extraordinarily unappetizing. I regret to inform you that its sliminess extends far beyond a egregious visual misfortune, too. If you still want to try this chili, be prepared for a slimy mouthfeel that distracts from its flavor (which is also lackluster). Its gelatinous texture only amplifies its lack of flavor, making it the lowest-ranked chili — and rightfully so.

Wolf Brand has been going strong for well over a hundred years and has cemented itself as a Texas staple. Texas famously scoffs at beans in chili so, naturally, Wolf Brand offers a bean-free variety of the classic dish to please its meat-loving customer base. It's made with simple, minimal ingredients, including a beef and pork meat mix, garlic, sugar, and spices.

I was aghast at the consistency and color of this chili. There were no specks of color, nor variations in texture. While most bean-free chilis are usually a little thinner and less textured than chilis loaded with beans and veggies, Wolf Brand was just a little too smooth for comfort. It looked as if someone had browned plain, unseasoned meat in a pan and then pureed it in a blender.

And, to my dismay, that's exactly what it tasted like. This chili was exceptionally bland; it lacked any flavor from the garlic and spices that it allegedly contains. The only flavor I did detect was its knarly, acidic aftertaste. Mixing some corn chips into this chili and topping a hot dog with it or whipping up a Texas-style Frito pie with it might alleviate its disappointing texture and bland flavor to some degree, but realistically, I think there's little that can be done to save it.

If you love spicy chili, Stagg's Dynamite Hot chili looks almost too good to be true. Its spicy flavor comes from an eclectic assortment of peppers, including chiles de árbol, chipotles, and fiery habaneros. This chili is also loaded with beans and pork, which sets it up to be an ultra-flavorful, hearty winter-warmer of a dish. But, as an avid spice lover, I have to say that I was most let down by this chili.

Although Stagg's Dynamite Hot chili has a exceptional spiciness to it — which is perfect for folks who love spice, but don't want to push their heat tolerance to an extreme — this flavor is really its only redeeming quality. This chili is far too sweet and overly acidic, which distracts from all its other flavors. The number one ingredient in the Dynamite Hot chili is tomato, and it's definitely apparent on the first bite. This chili was more like a spicy and sugary tomato sauce with just the texture (and not the flavor) of meat.

When it comes to chili, I always say "the chunkier the better." Campbell's line of chunky soups, stews, and chili is difficult to resist. A chunky dish can act as a standalone dinner that's filling and satisfying, or it can be used to adorn a hot dog or served as a dip. Campbell's is no stranger to offering an impressive variety of canned meals, so I expected this classic meat and bean chili to be loaded with hefty beef chunks and various beans for flavor and texture.

I found Campbell's Chunky chili with beans to be far less chunky than the image depicted on its can. Instead, this chili had a pretty average consistency, which was far more soupy than I would have liked from this line of hearty and filling products. Its meat-to-bean ratio definitely favored beans, which resulted in minimal savoriness. It had absolutely no hint of heat or any bold flavors whatsoever, which should be present in all chilis, even it's rated as "mild."

Jack Link's — a brand most famous for its extensive beef jerky offerings — expanded its meat-centric repertoire to offer an all-beef chili that's ideal for fans of its jerky. I expected a high-quality meaty chili that would mimic the flavor of the company's jerky — which is slightly spicy, tangy, and loaded with umami flavors. Jack Link's chili's flavor was indeed reminiscent of its jerky, but its consistency would be its tragic downfall.

After opening the can, I couldn't help but notice a myriad of colors floating throughout this chili. This indicated lots of spicy and sweet flavors from veggies and seasonings. There was a heavy tomato flavor in this chili, but there wasn't any heat. Plus, the savory meat flavor was masked. While Jack Link's chili was far from bland, its consistency was watery, rendering it useless as a hot dog topping and too soggy for a chip dip. Even eating it straight-up left a lot to be desired.

An organic, veggie-packed chili is the perfect meal for any occasion. Pacific Foods' organic harvest black bean chili is a quick and easy way to get your daily dose of beans and veggies to warm the cockles and help you power through the day. Black beans, sweet potatoes, chili and red bell peppers, corn, and an impressive variety of sweet, spicy, and umami spices make this chili as unique as it is wholesome. But, whether or not this canned meal should be classified as a chili is debatable.

Although this chili is lacking in heat, it still packs a flavorful punch. Corn and sweet potatoes give it a touch of natural sweetness and add texture. Peppers offer sweet and tangy notes, and there's no shortage of garlic, which comes through with an aromatic and savory kick. But, unlike most traditional chilis, Pacific Foods' organic veggie chili is much more like a chunky soup or bean-laden stew. A little corn flour to thicken this chili would have done wonders for its wateriness and elevated it to chili-level status.

Armour Star began as a humble meat-packing business in Chicago over 150 years ago. Today, the company sells a variety of meat-based dishes and ingredients, from frozen to canned meats and meals. Armour Star chili with beans is a straightforward take on the classic dish, complete with pork, beef, beans, and the company's own seasoning blend.

Armour Star's chili was watery on top and thick and densely-packed on the bottom, so a good deal of stirring was required to bring it to its intended consistency. It didn't look like much, with only one solid color to speak of. But this unappealing visual turned out to be delightfully deceptive. This chunky chili was extra savory with a hint of smokiness, although a few added veggies would have given it more flavor nuance. A creamy twist of sour cream would make Armour Star's chili a deliciously decadent chip dip, but it may be too meat-forward to stand alone as a meal.

If you're a vegan or vegetarian, you might be familiar with the Amy's brand. From enchiladas and soups to mac and cheese, Amy's makes eating a veggie-based diet delicious and exciting. Amy's organic chili looks to be meat-based from the photo on the can, but it actually packs a powerful protein punch from tofu instead of beef or pork.

Amy's organic medium chili is filling and satisfying, since the beans, veggies, and oodles of crumbled tofu mimic the consistency of ground beef. It's soupier than most chilis, but not in a way that distracts from its flavor. Heat comes from jalapeño peppers, and while there is a noticeable trace of spice, I think a little extra heat would be more suitable for a medium-level chili. But a variety of veggie flavors and hearty texture makes up for its lack of spice.

Hormel is back on this list, and it's mixing things up from the standard beef and pork with a turkey rendition of its classic chili. This chili utilizes a touch of vinegar for a delightful tang and green chiles, jalapeños, and chili powder for sweet heat. It has a slightly soupy texture, but in a way that makes it more comforting than a thick chili. Its steamy broth can warm you up on a cold night.

Hormel's turkey chili with beans has the appearance of any standard chili, but what stuck out to me were noticeably large chunks of meat. These substantial meat chunks gave the chili a heartiness that rivals even the meatiest, beefiest chilis on this list. Hunks of turkey meat floated in a tomatoey and peppery base, whereas the green bell pepper chunks added contrasting flavors and textures. The peppers in this chili gave it a pleasant sweetness that was well-balanced by the acidity of the tomatoes.

Maybe I'm being judgemental, but I was a little taken aback by the image of the chili on the Dennison's chili con carne with beans can. It looks as though the beans and meat are resisting each other instead of melding harmoniously into one hot, delicious bowl of savory and spicy goodness. Thankfully, this chili's actual appearance is nothing like the image depicted on the can.

Dennison's chili has an excellent meat-to-bean ratio. There are plenty of salty, smoky flavors from the meat and lots of soft, textured beans in every bite. Its tomato flavor was subtle, and only added a hint of acidity that allowed the savory meat to shine. This chili deserves a hefty dose of cheddar cheese on top to add creaminess and to complement its natural smoky flavor.

Wendy's chili will likely go down as one of the most sought-after side dishes in all of fast food history, so it's no surprise that the company started selling its beloved sandwich accompaniment in a convenient can. This chili contains solely beef as its meaty base, along with kidney and pinto beans. Beef tallow adds extra umami, while celery, onions, garlic, and peppers give it a nice blend of colorful veggies that amplifies its juicy beef flavor.

Wendy's chili with beans is very mild, with almost no heat to speak of, but that doesn't take away from the other flavor nuances present. Although a little spice would have been nice, its lack of heat means that it will appeal to most people, regardless of their chili preferences. Ultimately, I dub this chili the most versatile and the most likely to be universally loved.

If you're in the mood for some comfort food but you're watching your cholesterol, I'd implore you to reach for a can of Hormel's plant-based chili with beans. This tomatoey, chunky chili is just as satisfying as a big, beefy bowl. Plus, it packs in a lot veggies and beans. Pink beans, kidney beans, and soy are the base of this product, and peppers, onions, and garlic add layers of flavors that amplify the natural earthy taste and creamy texture of the beans.

Despite not containing meat, Hormel's plant-based chili has a meaty taste and consistency. Simple soy protein concentrate gives this chili its meat-like base and a hearty dose of protein to boot. A unique spice blend creates salty, umami-packed flavors, while a subtle smoky aftertaste swoops in to tame the sweetness of peppers and tomatoes. Well done Hormel, and thank you for making the lives of vegetarians all the more flavorful and fun.

There's one more Hormel product on this list: the Hormel chili with beans. It really doesn't get much more classic than this. Hormel's most popular chili is one that's packed with beef, pork, and beans, and honestly not much more. For some things, simplicity is best, and that can certainly be said for this chili.

Unlike Hormel's bean-less chili, this canned meal has the perfect texture and consistency. It's not overly thick, but is just stew-like enough to have a noticeable broth without being too runny. Green chiles and jalapeños give it a dash of appealing color and hint of heat and sweetness, while vinegar adds extra tang to the tomato-based broth. This is the best canned chili for hot dogs on this list; the meat and beans, adorned with sharp cheddar and luscious sour cream, will surely create the most enticing chili dog imaginable.

Stagg's no-bean chili really impressed me, especially after trying the brand's spicy chili variety, which was a flop (to say the least). The all-meat chili's ingredients include beef, beef broth, pork, tomato, jalapeño, and chile de árbol. While it's on the thin side — which isn't abnormal for no-bean chili — it's still thick enough to top a chili dog. Its consistency would also make it the perfect candidate for an off-beat chili-based chip dip; just add some cream cheese and cheddar and get to scooping.

Although the spiciness of this classic no-bean chili from Stagg isn't its defining feature, there's a noticeable wallop of heat that sneaks up after each bite. I'm a firm believer that chili ought to be spicy — not necessarily set-your-mouth-ablaze spicy, but it should at least live up to its name and offer some degree warmth from the chile peppers. Stagg hit the nail on the head with this chili by supplying the perfect amount of comforting and flavorful spice without sacrificing the other flavors. Onion and garlic still stand front and center, while a slightly sweet aftertaste helps to elevate the aromatics.

The Tony Packo's Cafe brand has been dishing out Hungarian-American cuisine in Toledo, Ohio since the 1930s. When Tony Packo invented his chili almost 100 years ago, it was an instant hit. Today, the Tony Packo's Cafe brand distributes its chili in convenient cans, so even if you've never set foot in Toledo, you can still enjoy the unparalleled flavors of this remarkable chili.

Tony Packo's Cafe chili makes the number one spot on this list because it tastes like it's a fresh-off-the-stove, hand-crafted pot of chili — even if all you need to do to prepare it is crack open the can and heat it up. The first thing I noticed about this chili was its vibrant red and green hues, which indicates lots of sweet and spicy flavors. Warming spice lingers, along with bursts of garlic and a smoky aftertaste. There's more meat than beans in this chili, and those legumes add the right amount of texture without compromising the ultra-umami essence. Although it was originally designed to top Hungarian hot dogs, I'd argue that this chili is too good to use on a dog and is better left served by the bowl.

To compile this list, I selected popular chilis that are available at many large grocery chains. I chose a variety of chilis to encompass different styles, including vegetarian, bean-free, and meat-and-bean chili. I set aside personal preferences and biases towards specific chili varieties and ingredients in order to rank these chilis as fairly as possible. I, first and foremost, considered overall taste, as well as texture, consistency, mouthfeel, and visual appearance. All of these chilis hover around the same price point, so value wasn't something I factored into this ranking. The chilis at the top of the ranking are the most flavorful, versatile, and generally most delicious chilis out there.

I tried each of these chilis by heating them up on the stovetop and eating them plain — with no extra additions or toppings. However, I did consider their ability to act as a chili dog component and their compatibility with popular chili toppings when I ranked them.