Midland Odessa? Does Texas Chili Have Beans? Here’s The Answer We Found

So, a co-worker and I  have been debating whether Texas chili has beans. I say it doesn't he says it does. Now, let me start off by saying that I PREFER BEANS IN MY CHILI! But, just because I prefer it doesn't mean that it has it. Being a Texan for a while, I kind of knew that texas Chili doesn't have beans, but am I right?

NO. TEXAS CHILI DOES NOT HAVE BEANS!

So what happened when I googled the question. Well, it totally says no!

An authentic Texas Chili, or chili con carne, will not have beans.

According to Carol Hancock president of Chili Society...

Carol Hancock, President and CEO of the International Chili Society, makes a good case for why there are no beans found in true Texas chili: because that is just the way it is. “I think there is probably no consensus on one idea (of what defines chili), but the reason why we don’t allow beans in chili is number one: real Texas chili has always been known as meat and the sauce with peppers,” Hancock said. “Beans don’t come into play at the cook off because if our judges are trying to determine a taste, beans are a dominant flavor and we wouldn’t get the pure chili taste.”

 

 

CHILI IS SHORT FOR CHILI CON CARNE

Well, mind blown here.  Didn't know that Chili was short for Chili Con Carne, not Chili con BEANS. Therefore no Beans in chili, right?

DOES IT MATTER IF YOUR TEXAS CHILI HAS BEANS IN IT?

I know some people who will not eat CHILI if it has beans in it. Look, I'm not turning down a good bowl of chili with or without beans. I'm actually good either way. And, I have tasted excellent chili with and without beans. But, yes Texas Chili does NOT have beans in it. Right?

Get our free mobile app