I’m southern with family from Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas and chili is all about the beans. I call chili with chiles, beans and tomatoes “Chili” and if I make it with beans, chiles, tomatoes and meat (stew meat never hamburger) “Meat Chili”. Would take chili with beans & corn over chili without beans any day of the week.
Chili with hamburger without beans is something to put on a hot dog or bun. Not a meal, it’s like hamburger helper nonsense.
ETA: this is not to say I’ve never made stew meat in Chile sauce. Cubed brisket finished in sauce of anchos and tomatillos is heavenly. I just never call that chili.
I’m southern with family from Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas and chili is all about the beans. I call chili with chiles, beans and tomatoes “Chili” and if I make it with beans, chiles, tomatoes and meat (stew meat never hamburger) “Meat Chili”. Would take chili with beans & corn over chili without beans any day of the week.
Chili with hamburger without beans is something to put on a hot dog or bun. Not a meal, it’s like hamburger helper nonsense.
ETA: this is not to say I’ve never made stew meat in Chile sauce. Cubed brisket finished in sauce of anchos and tomatillos is heavenly. I just never call that chili.