Can the Best Canned Chili Compete with Homemade?

There’s no doubt about it: A good chili is one of our favorite comfort foods. However, we know that many comfort foods—like biscuits and cakes—all take a bit of extra time to make. That’s why we often turn to store-bought versions to help us on busy weeknights.

At Taste of Home, we’ve already found our favorite versions of those comfort classics I mentioned (you can check them all out here), but we were curious about chili. Could we find a canned version that would satisfy us when time is tight?

We hit up our local grocery store and bought every canned chili we could find. Here’s what we purchased:

• Amy’s Organic
• Campbell’s Chunky
• Chilli Man
• Hormel
• ShurFine
• Skyline Chili
• Stagg
• Wolf Brand

Let’s see how they ranked in our blind taste test.

Honorable Mention: Amy’s Organic Medium Chili

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Score: 5.4/10

If you like a bean-forward chili, you might want to grab Amy’s Organic. This chili was packed with beans which was a pro for many testers (others preferred fewer beans). Testers enjoyed the spices and seasonings in this chili, though they thought it was on the mild side.

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Runner-Up: Chilli Man Chili with Beans

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Score: 6/10

With its muddy texture, Chilli Man didn’t gain any points when it came to appearance—some testers didn’t much care for its looks—but it got good scores for flavor. This chili was full of savory flavor and spices. Folks really enjoyed the extra dose of cumin this brand packed. This spice gave the chili a nice smoky flavor that kept testers going back for more. The chili itself was a bit on the thin side, though, so you may want to bulk it up with extra beef or beans if you have them on hand.

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The Best Canned Chili: Wolf Brand Chili with Beans

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Score: 6.7/10

Our favorite chili in this test came from Wolf Brand. It gave us the right balance of savory beef and pork flavors, plus beans and spice. Folks enjoyed the smoky chili taste along with a hint of garlic (garlic lovers, try out these recipes). Wolf Brand felt substantial with good consistency—something that was difficult to find in the other competitors. This brand would be our go-to on a camping trip or to use to make this quick chili dip or chili dogs.

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The Bottom Line on Canned Chili

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After testing eight brands of chili and finding a promising option in Wolf Brand, testers agreed: When you can make it, homemade chili is best hands down. If you’re in need of a quick lunch at work or something to top your chili dogs, our favorite brands here would work just fine. However, if you’re craving chili quick, we’d recommend these quick chili recipes instead—many of which can be made in about a half-hour.

For even more interesting comparisons, check out the best canned chicken noodle soup brands.

Try Our Top 10 Chilis

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Creamy White Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Creamy White Chili

I got the best white chicken chili recipe from my sister-in-law, who made a big batch and served a crowd one night. It was a hit. It's easy and quick, which is helpful since I'm a college student. In all my years of 4-H cooking, I've never had another dish get so many compliments. Maybe it's the cream cheese! —Laura Brewer, Lafayette, Indiana

Go to Recipe Learn more with our ultimate guide to chili.

Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin ChiliMy family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan

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Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Sweet Potato & Black Bean ChiliMy whole family enjoys this sweet potato black bean chili, but my daughter especially loves it. I like to make it because it's so easy and very flavorful. —Joy Pendley, Ortonville, Michigan

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Still hungry? Try these other chili recipes.

White Bean Chicken ChiliMy sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Santa Fe ChiliThis colorful and hearty chili is perfect for heartwarming, holiday get-togethers. My family has been enjoying it for years. —Laura Manning of Lilburn, Georgia

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Spicy Touchdown Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Spicy Touchdown ChiliFor me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma

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Pumpkin ChiliThis unique chili freezes well…but it still doesn't last around our farmhouse very long, especially when my five children and 13 grandchildren are around! —Betty Butler, Greencastle, Indiana

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Mexican Chicken ChiliCorn and black beans give this satisfying chili Mexican flair the whole family will love. Adjust the cayenne if you have small children or are looking for a little less zip. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schappacher, West Chester, Ohio

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Contest-Winning Vegetarian ChiliMy husband and I love vegetarian Dutch oven recipes—and this vegetarian chili is one of our favorites. It makes a huge pot that's chock-full of color and flavor. And once the chopping is done, it's quick to cook. —Marilyn Barilleaux, Bothell, Washington

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Family-Pleasing Turkey ChiliMy children really love this slow-cooker turkey chili recipe—it's one of their favorite comfort foods. It's relatively inexpensive, and the leftovers are wonderful! —Sheila Christensen, San Marcos, California

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Try this pinto bean chili recipe next!

This blind taste test was performed by our staff and was not part of a sponsorship. All opinions shared are our own, and have not been influenced by advertisers.