The Great Debate! Beans or No Beans In Chili — XLNT Foods :: XLNT Foods is the oldest continuously operating Mexican food brand in the United States, and one of the oldest companies in Southern California. For over 125 years, XLNT has produced delicious (2024)

There are many famous food fights (Does pineapple belong on pizza? Is crunchy or smooth peanut butter better? Should barbecue sauce have a vinegar, ketchup, or mustard base?) but the most hotly contested one may be “beans or no beans in chili?” Whether you’re new to making chili or just wondering what the fuss is about, we’ll tell you all you need to know about this classic debate.

First, a Bit of Background

Chili originated in Mexico and dates back to at least the 16th century. It’s technically a stew, but it’s so loaded with beef and vegetables that people don’t usually think of it that way. The name comes from the use of fresh or dried chili peppers to provide flavor and spice, but you can adjust the heat to your liking, along with the other ingredients. Onions, garlic, bell peppers, and cumin are frequently used in chili, and though it’s less well known than the “beans or no beans in chili” argument, people also disagree about whether or not chili should have tomatoes.

Chili is often served with toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped fresh onions, or crumbled tortilla chips; you can also serve it over rice or spaghetti. Chili is endlessly adaptable, so it all depends on what you like best. It’s easy to make at home, but it does require several hours of cooking unless you use a chili con carne starter.

Beans or No Beans in Chili? Beans!

Those on the pro-bean side of the divide argue that beans bring additional flavor and a contrasting texture to your chili. They’re also a good source of fiber, protein, and essential nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and iron. The most popular types of beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, partly because they usually keep their shape during the cooking process, but feel free to experiment with other types. Canned beans (sold both with and without chili-style spices) can go directly into the pot, but you’ll need to cook dried beans separately before adding them to your chili.

Beans or No Beans in Chili? No Beans!

No-beans side argue that beans distract your mouth from the beef and spices that chili is supposed to showcase. Texans in particular are likely to reject beans; in fact, the no-bean version is often referred to as Texas chili. Chili that’s added to other dishes (chili dogs and chili burgers, for example) doesn’t usually have beans, either. And, of course, some people just don’t like beans! It really does come down to personal taste, so make your chili however you like it best, beans or no beans.

Ever since the debut of our first pushcart more than 125 years ago, XLNT Foods has been providing Californians with delicious and convenient cuisine, and today we’re delighted to ship our products throughout the US. Whether you are for beans or no beans in chili, check out our website for recipes and cooking inspiration and to order our handcrafted tamales (with microwave-friendly masa wrappers instead of corn husks) and chili con carne starter, delivered right to your kitchen.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_con_carne

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/beans-101?c=1526828943494#what-they-are

The Great Debate! Beans or No Beans In Chili  — XLNT Foods :: XLNT Foods is the oldest continuously operating Mexican food brand in the United States, and one of the oldest companies in Southern California. For over 125 years, XLNT has produced delicious  (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of XLNT tamales? ›

History. XLNT Foods was founded in 1894 by Alejandro Morales as the XLNT Tamale Company. Their tamales became a popular ethnic food in Los Angeles. XLNT had a factory in Boyle Heights and also sold tamales from horse-drawn carts and grocery stores.

Why do people say beans don't belong in chili? ›

No-beans side argue that beans distract your mouth from the beef and spices that chili is supposed to showcase. Texans in particular are likely to reject beans; in fact, the no-bean version is often referred to as Texas chili.

Who first put beans in chili? ›

It was cowboys who brought beef to the dish, but those same cowboys also kept beans in it. According to the Chili Appreciation Society International, chili's spread throughout Texas and other parts of the country began with cattle drives in the mid 19th century.

Why do Texans eat chili without beans? ›

If you go pretty much anywhere in Texas you will find chili ingredients simple and rarely differing: meat, sauce, peppers and spices. Carol Hanco*ck, President and CEO of the International Chili Society, told Texas Living there is a specific reason why Texas chili contains no beans: it's tradition.

Who first ate tamales? ›

Tamales originated in Mesoamerica as early as 8000 to 5000 BC. The preparation of tamales is likely to have spread from the indigenous cultures in Guatemala and Mexico to the rest of Latin America.

Who owns Tamale Boy? ›

Jaime Soltero Jr. started Tamale Boy as a catering company in 2008 called Mayahuel Catering. Tamale Boy has evolved into a food truck catering and restaurant business with Portland and Happy Valley brick and mortar locations.

Was chili originally made with or without beans? ›

The question of whether beans belong in chili has long been a matter of contention among chili cooks. While it is generally accepted that the earliest chilis did not include beans, proponents of their inclusion contend that chili with beans has a long enough history to be considered authentic.

Who started eating beans first? ›

The use of legumes as a basic dietary staple can be traced back more than 20,000 years in some Eastern cultures, while the common bean, the lima bean and the pinta, or cranberry, bean were cultivated for the first time in the very earliest Mexican and Peruvian civilisations more than 5,000 years ago, being popular in ...

Who originally made chili? ›

Though the exact origin of chili has been up for interpretation, historians credit Canary Island women who migrated to San Antonio, Texas, for its creation. The dish was later popularized in the 1860s by the Chili Queens of San Antonio who sold the dish to soldiers, travelers, and cattlemen.

What do Texans call chili? ›

Chili Con Carne, a.k.a. Texas Red

The chili that was invented in San Antonio is said to be a bowl of "red": tender, individual stewed chunks of beef swaddled in a spicy, cumin-spiked sauce made from red chiles, which lend the dish an appealing russet hue. Texans take this heritage very seriously.

Do cowboys eat chili? ›

Every cattle drive had chili as a chuck wagon staple, since the native peppers and onions were abundant along the trails. But stories are spread that the beef was too valuable and was limited to be used as food on the cattle drive, so extra protein came from a pot of beans along side the chili pot.

What state has no bean chili? ›

Ok, we may be exaggerating a bit, but the fact remains (as silly as it seems) some people have very strong stances as to whether beans belong in chili or not. For the most part, it's a geographical thing. In Texas, chili without beans is the norm.

What is the ancient history of the tamale the ancient history of tamales? ›

Tamales originated from Mesoamerica from as early as 8000 to 5000 B.C. From here it spread to Mexico, Guatemala and the rest of Latin America. The word "tamale" derives from the Nahuatl word "Tamal" one of the Aztec's primary language during their empire.

What is Mexico's largest tamale? ›

The Longest Tamale Ever Made Measured Over 164 Feet Long

Ayuntamiento de Centro Villahermosa in Tabasco, Mexico, made the longest tamale and achieved a Guinness World Record.

What are the ingredients in XLNT tamales? ›

Ingredients: Filling: Beef, Water, Cereal, (Enriched Flour [Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Cracked Wheat) Carrots, Flavorings, Salt, Dehydrated Onions, Monosodium Glutamate.

What are some interesting facts about tamales? ›

The origins of the tamale date back to the time of the Aztecs, Mayans and Incans. Although widely debated, the first tamales were developed for transporting foods more efficiently during war. Gaining popularity, they became a part of ceremonies, rituals, feasts and fiestas.

References

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