One isn’t an actual punch in of bean.

Excuse us, what?

In fact, a can of chili beans is often made with kidney beans or pinto beans.

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Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chili beans are typically kidney beans with added flavor, whereas kidney beans are simply a variety of bean.

Theres no reason to avoid using them, Edwards says.

What Is A Chili Bean?

A chili bean is not any particular key in of bean, like pinto or black beans.

Instead, the name refers to beans have been prepared for use in chilis or chili-style dishes.

In other words, they’ve been pre-made with seasoning and spices.

Chili beans are often just kidney beans with spices.

What Is A Kidney Bean?

Is One Bean Better Than The Other?

Edwards explains that when it comes to which beans are better, its personal preference.

But the added spices in chili beans actually add benefits.

Many spices have phytochemicals, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

What Types Of Beans Are In Chili?

But as with many things about chilisuch aswhether to include beans or notthis is a personal preference.