My cousin called my chili 'a bit thin' and it changed my whole bean game

I was making my usual pot of chili (you know, the cheap ground beef and kidney beans kind) and my cousin tried a bowl. He said, 'It tastes good, but it's a bit thin, man.' I realized I was draining all the liquid from the canned beans, which was just throwing away free flavor and thickness. Now I pour the whole can, liquid and all, right into the pot. It makes the chili way heartier without adding any extra cost. Anyone else have a cheap trick like that for making soups or stews feel more filling?

3 comments

3 Comments

paigec142mo ago

Wait, is the bean liquid really that big of a deal? I've always drained mine and my chili turns out fine, maybe a little soupy sometimes but it tastes good. Seems like a minor thing to get hung up on.

harper_gibson22mo ago

Have you ever tasted the liquid from a can of beans? It's basically seasoned starch that thickens your chili naturally, paigec14. Skipping it means you lose flavor and have to fix the texture later.

elizabetht561mo agoMost Upvoted

Oh honey, you're out here living your best soupy chili life and I respect the hustle. But that bean liquid is basically liquid gold! It's like throwing away the seasoning packet and then wondering why your rice is bland. Sure, your chili tastes fine now, but it could taste AMAZING if you just let that starchy bean juice work its magic. You do you, but I'm team "don't drain away the flavor" all the way.