Pro tip: Dried beans vs. canned for a cheap chili

I used to always buy canned beans for chili because it's faster, right? But then I tried a 1-pound bag of dried pinto beans from Aldi for $1.29 last month and soaked them overnight before cooking. That one bag made enough for three batches of chili compared to maybe two cans that cost $1 each, so I saved like $3 total and the texture was way better. Has anyone else switched to dried beans for other dishes like soups or stews?

2 comments

2 Comments

stella_lane3h ago

Also, think about the COOKING LIQUID. When you use dried beans, that bean broth is liquid gold for chili. It thickens everything up naturally with all that starch, so you need way less tomato paste or flour to get the right consistency. Canned beans just have salty water that you drain away. Plus, you can season the beans as they cook with a bay leaf and some garlic, which adds layers of flavor you just can't get from opening a can. It does take planning ahead, but for a Sunday meal prep it's totally worth the effort.

the_wyatt2h ago

Wait, has nobody mentioned the texture difference? Dried beans get this creamy, almost buttery inside while still holding their shape way better than canned beans that always seem either mushy or too firm.

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