Where in the world do you not put beans in chili? That’s literally the point of chili. Is this an American thing I’m too European to understand?
As a Texan, this is true. Traditional chili is based on the Mexican “chili con carne,” meaning “chilies with meat.”
Chili normally is a stew with 1 inch cubes of a tougher meat like chuck steak that’s been stewed down until tender in a liquid (water or beef stock, sometimes even beer or coffee added) and a puree of reconstituted dried chiles (not chili powder) and other spices. Nothing else goes into traditional Texan chili. Beans are sometimes served on the side though. Adding beans is perceived as a cheap filter and skimping out on the meat.
This is the dish that started all of these other non-mexican versions of chili and you’re missing out of you’ve never had it!
