When Should I Add Canned Beans to Chili?

Hearty and flavorful, this chili is perfect any night of the week. Prep ahead with soaking beans or decrease prep time to 30 minutes and use canned beans!.

In my opinion one of the best comfort foods is a good chili. But what makes a good chili? I want a beefed up chili. What does that mean? It means more meat and vegetables and a thicker sauce! This recipe is great because it’s easy to change if you want it saucier or with less meat or vegetables.

As a chili lover, I’m always looking for ways to take my chili game to the next level. One question that often comes up is when to add the canned beans to chili for the best results. The timing can make a big difference in the final texture and flavor of the dish. In this article, I’ll share my tips on when and how to add beans to chili

Why Adding Beans at the Right Time Matters

Beans are a classic ingredient in many chili recipes. They add protein fiber and texture. However, beans also contain starches that can cause them to break down and turn mushy if overcooked.

Adding the beans too early can lead to mushy beans that fall apart and disappear into the chili. On the flip side, adding them too late may prevent them from absorbing all the delicious flavors of the chili. The ideal time to add canned beans will allow them to absorb flavor while still maintaining their shape and texture.

When to Add Canned Beans to Chili

To keep your beans nice and plump, add them about 20 minutes before you finish cooking. This will give them plenty of time to impart that perfectly seasoned chili flavor to your recipe without overcooking.

For specifics based on cooking method:

Stovetop Chili

For chili cooked on the stovetop, I recommend adding canned beans during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking time. This allows them to absorb flavor without breaking down too much. If using dried beans, they will need to be cooked separately ahead of time before adding to the chili.

Slow Cooker Chili

For chili made in a slow cooker, add canned beans during the last 45-60 minutes of cooking time. Because a slow cooker cooks at a lower temp for hours, beans need a little more time to absorb flavor, but not too long or they’ll get mushy.

Instant Pot Chili

With the quick cooking time of the Instant Pot, beans only need 10-15 minutes to absorb flavor. Add them for the last 10-15 minutes of pressure cooking or cook beans separately first if cooking chili on the sauté function.

Tips for Adding Canned Beans

Follow these tips for adding beans to chili for the best texture:

Rinse and drain beans: Rinsing removes excess salt and starch that can cause mushiness.
Stir gently: Rough handling can cause beans to break down, so stir lightly once added.
Add chili spices/acid after: Acidic ingredients can toughen beans’ skins, so wait to add tomatoes, vinegar, etc.
Use firmer beans: Chickpeas and black beans hold their shape better than kidney beans.
Don’t overfill pot: Bean expansion can make chili boil over if pot is too full.
Adjust seasonings: The beans may absorb some seasoning, so adjust spices after adding.

Recipe for Chili with Perfectly Textured Beans

Want to see these tips in action? Here’s my recipe for classic chili with tender, flavorful beans:

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
2 15-oz cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook ground beef until browned, 5-7 minutes.
Add onions and garlic and cook 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in spices and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Add diced tomatoes and juice. Simmer 15 minutes.
Add kidney beans and simmer 15-20 minutes more until heated through.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

The key is adding those beans when there’s just enough time for them to absorb the flavors of the chili without turning to mush.

when should i add canned beans to chili

Basic Steps to Cooking this Chili

You can find the full printable recipe with detailed instructions below. Heres the quick run down.

Cook the beans. Skip this step if using canned beans.
In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (5 qt), cook the vegetables for about 5 minutes.
Spices, liquid smoke, and raw beef should all be added. Cook for about 15 minutes.

Sautéed vegetables with tomatoes, spices, and ground beef added

Add the cooked beans, bean juice, and corn. Continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes.

All ingredients added together

Add your choice of toppings, such as sour cream, avocado, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh lime, or Greek yogurt.

when should i add canned beans to chili

I have not included the soak time for beans in the cook time. Most of the time, I soak my beans overnight (6–8 hours), then drain the water and add fresh water to the pot to boil.

Ingredients for the Best Chili

A mix of raw black and kidney beans. You can use canned beans for this recipe, which will save you a lot of time, but I always recommend raw! I soak the beans in water for 6 to 8 hours, making sure they are completely submerged. Dump out the water, then rinse again before boiling in fresh water.

A variety of raw vegetables: Onion, garlic, bell pepper, corn, and tomato make for the perfect blend!

Cumin, coriander, chili powder, sea salt, pepper, and liquid smoke are the best spices to use together.

But you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of ground beef and spicy sausage! Ground beef is my favorite meat.

The SHOCKING SECRET to great chili

FAQ

What happens if you don’t rinse canned beans?

“If you rinse your beans thoroughly, you will have a consistently flavored product, but if you do not rinse them, different amounts of salt will remain in the dish each time you cook it, and it will be hard to cook consistently,” he says.

Should I rinse canned beans for chili?

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish.

When adding beans to chili do you drain?

Too much liquid will thin your chili The same holds true for using canned beans in chili. According to Taste of Home, you should typically drain canned beans before adding them to your pot of chili. All that liquid can seriously water the chili down, diluting all its flavors.

How long does it take for the beans to get soft in chili?

Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, adding a little more liquid if the level gets too low, until the beans are tender, 3 to 4 hours. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Can you use canned beans in chili?

Using canned beans is easy and a big time saver. Just pop the cans open and dump them into your chili. We recommend putting them in late in the cooking process so they don’t get too mushy. You can either add them directly from the can or rinse them first. Many chili cooks prefer them unrinsed as the starchy water in the can helps thicken the chili.

Can you make chili with beans?

Purists say no beans. But chili with beans is simply healthier and heartier. It’s up to you—feel free to alter the proportions of meat and beans to suit your tastes. —replace the beans in the recipe with 2 pounds of meat: beef, venison, or bison. (CASI) event, beans are considered filler and cannot be used.

Can you add roasted chiles to canned chili?

Liven up canned chili with an extra layer of depth and spice by incorporating more chile peppers. Fresh peppers sliced or diced bring a bold pop of heat while roasted chiles offer a complex smokiness along with their spice. Different types of chiles carry their own unique flavor profiles and levels of heat.

Can you cook canned beans in a slow cooker?

3 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained and rinsed, such as kidney, pinto, or black beans. Or 1 pound dried beans, cooked. The type of beans you use (dried or canned) will lengthen or shorten the cooking time. In your slow cooker or a large Dutch oven, brown the , and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the