Ditch Traditional Chili Beans And Try A Sweeter Spin On The Classic Comfort Dish

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Beans are a perennial source of debate amongst chili enthusiasts. You'll find no beans allowed in a West Texas chili, whilst variations on this well-spiced meat stew across the United States will feature almost every kind you can think of — from kidney beans to black beans to lima beans,  or some combination thereof. There is one legume you may have overlooked, however. It's well worth ditching the traditional chili beans and instead opting for a sweeter spin on this classic comfort dish — by digging a humble can of baked beans out of your pantry.

This isn't as counter-intuitive as it may sound: Chili became a staple meal of cowboys on the trail in the old West, and so did baked beans, so combining them isn't the craziest idea in the world. American-style baked beans as we know them today typically include some kind of sweetener in the recipe, such as molasses, brown sugar, or maple syrup. Anyone who's enjoyed a sloppy Joe knows there's nothing wrong (and plenty right) with a meat sauce that balances sweet, savory, and spicy. 

After cooking up your meat and vegetables of choice, then adding your baked beans and just a few other ingredients, you can quickly have a hearty chili capable of feeding a large group. If, on the other hand, you're not feeding that many people and wind up with some leftovers, rest assured that baked bean chili freezes very well once completely cooled and placed into a freezer-safe container. 

What type of baked beans you use in your chili will make a big impact. Among the sweeter types of baked beans on the market, those flavored with maple are a popular choice, and can be found in combination with ingredients like bacon and paprika. If you're more of a Scoville fiend and you'd like your sweetness matched by spice, you may enjoy something more along the lines of the Serious Bean Co.'s Hot Honey Baked Beans, or if you lean more towards a British favorite, there is always the classic Heinz. 

You should also think about what spices will work well in concert with your preferred beans — ancho chili powder would provide a smoky undercurrent, whereas dry mustard would provide a different kind of heat. For some extra umami, it's hard to go wrong with some old-fashioned Worcestershire sauce. Of course, chili wouldn't be chili without your favorite garnishes — check out our run-down of the best chili toppings. 

Baked beans are traditionally made with navy beans, and the canned, pre-cooked sort are usually quite soft. They won't need a long cook-time for this reason. Canned baked beans come in their own sauce, so bear this in mind when adding other liquid ingredients like water, stock, or canned tomatoes, as it may affect how thin and soupy the chili is and how long it takes to reduce. Of course, there's nothing stopping you from making your own baked beans from scratch. Who knows? By incorporating our extra spicy baked beans recipe into your own personal recipe for chili, you may just discover a brand new favorite.