# Question for no-beans chili purists: What about other vegetables? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 21, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952 "2010-10-21T23:01:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/1 "2010-10-21T23:01:55Z")
Is it still real chili if it’s made with celery? Corn? Carrots? (I’ve got all these in a no-beans batch I just made, it’s good.) ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/2 "2010-10-21T23:39:37Z")
I’ve got no problem with the other veggies in chili - I’m just anti-bean, because it tends to be lazy filler for those who don’t want to spend extra for real meat. (obviously, IMHO) ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/3 "2010-10-22T00:45:54Z")
I’ve never heard of corn in it before (not a purist in any form) but that sounds goooood! ---
**Author:** ![Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fried\_Dough\_Ho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fried_Dough_Ho)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/4 "2010-10-22T00:48:39Z")
I used to frequent a vegetarian grocery store that had the best chili I ever tasted. While it included beans, it was also chock full of cauliflower, root vegetables, and carrots. I still dream of that chili… ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/5 "2010-10-22T02:22:14Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve got no problem with the other veggies in chili - I’m just anti-bean, because it tends to be lazy filler for those who don’t want to spend extra for real meat. (obviously, IMHO) Where do you think chili comes from in the first place? If you don’t want fillers stretching out the meat, then just eat a steak. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/6 "2010-10-22T02:40:47Z")
If it has anything other than pretty much meat, chilis and spices, it’s stew, not chili. **Chronos** is a heretic, listen not to his blasphemy. That said, a good chili-like substance can be made with various vegetations. Not carrots, though. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/7 "2010-10-22T02:53:34Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If it has anything other than pretty much meat, chilis and spices, it’s stew, not chili. **Chronos** is a heretic, listen not to his blasphemy. > > That said, a good chili-like substance can be made with various vegetations. Not carrots, though. Agreed. There’s chili. And there’s stew. Here are my levels of chili (and I will accept all these for chili): Purist’s Texas red: Hand minced or chili grind beef (not regular ground beef) and chili peppers. That’s pretty much it. Add some spices (cumin being the signature one), and a little liquid. I do onion, some omit even this. Texas red w/ tomatoes. As above, with tomatoes, and usually onions. Chili with beans. As above, with beans. Often made with regular ground meat. After that, you have all sorts of variations, including Cincinnati chili, and the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink variations. They’re all fine in their context. Just don’t call it “Texas red” if you’re putting beans in it. I personally don’t think carrots, celery, or corn belong in chili, but in the Midwest, we put anything and everything in our “chili.” If you want to be a purist about it, no, that shit has no place anywhere near chili. But I’ve grown up and lived in the Midwest all my life, so I expect nearly anything in something labeled “chili” on a menu. It’s when weird shit starts showing up in stuff labeled “Texas red” that I get pissed. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/8 "2010-10-22T02:59:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Where do you think chili comes from in the first place? If you don’t want fillers stretching out the meat, then just eat a steak. The original recipes, so far as I know, did not include stretchers. ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/9 "2010-10-22T03:05:29Z")
nm…lol posted in way wrong thread ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/10 "2010-10-22T13:32:12Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If it has anything other than pretty much meat, chilis and spices, it’s stew, not chili. What about onions? Hard to imagine chili without onions. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/11 "2010-10-22T13:40:51Z")
No onions if you are Orthodox. At least in the chili - toppings are a whole different thing. There are various Reformed branches that permit things like tomatoes and onions to be cooked in the chili proper. We have out-reach programs to try and redeem our wayward brethren. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/12 "2010-10-22T13:44:18Z")
I use to frequent a restaurant that had chili with beans and meat and chili without beans but with meat. I pointed out that they could make a pot of veggie chili and one of meat chili and offer to combine the two if need be. Owner had never thought of it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/13 "2010-10-22T14:10:27Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What about onions? Hard to imagine chili without onions. I don’t put onions in mine. Meat, a ton of jalapeños, spices, salt, and water or stock. It’s very basic and extremely good. I used to make it with beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, all kinds of stuff. After seeing all the internet arguments I gave the simple recipe a try and I was converted. I have seen the light and now roam the internet preaching the virtues of basic chili in the hopes that others too shall embrace the one true path. Really though, try it just once. You might be like me and love it. I do still cook my old ‘chili con whatever’ recipe from time to time, it _is_ good that way, I just like the basic recipe more. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/14 "2010-10-22T14:22:40Z")
Hallelujah, Brother! Preach it! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/15 "2010-10-22T14:27:34Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Texas red w/ tomatoes. As above, with tomatoes, and usually onions. I believe that’s called “Oklahoma Red.” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/16 "2010-10-22T14:29:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Where do you think chili comes from in the first place? If you don’t want fillers stretching out the meat, then just eat a steak. I believe chili was originally invented to make tough/old/jerked/trail-quality cuts of meat palatable. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/17 "2010-10-22T14:46:39Z")
I use diced tomatoes and onions in mine, and make no apologies for it. Sometimes I’ll use a bell pepper if there’s one near the knife. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/18 "2010-10-22T15:08:32Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I believe chili was originally invented to make tough/old/jerked/trail-quality cuts of meat palatable. So far as I understand this, it’s correct. I’ve dug through this before, and the best I could find is that beans were sometimes served alongside the chili, but never in the chili. Never heard it called “Oklahoma red” and web hits seem fairly scant for it. Sounds like a slight derogatory term Texan chili purists would use for tomato chilis. Looking online, I can find references to “Oklahoma chili,” but that’s chili with beans and pretty much anything that comes in a can. So far as I know, both tomatoes and onions are allowed at CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International, based in Texas)-sanctioned Texas chili competitions, and when I’ve been through Texas, I did find onions in my chili, and sometimes tomatoes. It’s beans that are the biggest no-no. Tomatoes seem to evoke controversy among some Texans. I’m not entirely convinced that onions don’t belong in a traditional bowl of red. The recipes I could find that date back to the 1880s often have onions, sometimes a good amount, but never tomatoes or beans. For example see [the first and third recipes here.](http://www.prismnet.com/~wallen/chili/antique.html) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/19 "2010-10-22T15:11:25Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > I use diced tomatoes and onions in mine, and make no apologies for it. Sometimes I’ll use a bell pepper if there’s one near the knife. I would actually allow for the bell pepper–it is technically a chili pepper, just with the heat bred out of it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952/20 "2010-10-22T16:03:33Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > I’ve never heard of corn in it before (not a purist in any form) but that sounds goooood! It is – remains crunchy even after hours of stewing. I used a bag of frozen corn in this batch, but I’ve seen recipes that call for slicing corn off the cob into the pot – and for holding the cob over the pot while slicing, so all the juice also goes in. I’ve made it that way too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-no-beans-chili-purists-what-about-other-vegetables/557952.md?page=2)