The Fastest Way To Make Chili, According to Bush’s Beans

Though chili is perfect any time of year, a cozy bowl of the stuff is especially compelling during cold-weather months. My cravings for chili happen far more frequently than I have time to spend an afternoon simmering tomatoes, beans, and ground beef with a bunch of seasoning, which is why I was particularly intrigued by Chili Magic. Chili Magic is, essentially, a can of seasoned Bush’s beans in a tomatoey sauce that’s spiked with ingredients like chipotle pepper, paprika, and garlic.

In theory, you combine the Chili Magic with a can of tomatoes and ground protein, and a pot of chili will be ready for dinner in less than 30 minutes. You can skip rooting around in your pantry for cumin and hours of simmering on the stove, which means chili is suddenly a weeknight meal. But is it good? I had to find out.

Is Chili Magic Really Magic? 

On a busy Monday night, I decided to put the 30-minute claim to the test. I bought a can of Chili Magic in the Classic Homestyle flavor. The instructions were simple: brown a pound of protein like ground beef or turkey, stir in the Chili Magic beans and a can of diced tomatoes, and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes. I wasn’t feeling especially ambitious, but I did opt for a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles for mild heat, and added a tablespoon or two of jarred minced garlic and dried minced onions. 

After browning the beef, I stirred in the onions and garlic with the cans of Chili Magic and tomatoes, then turned down the heat on my stove to medium-low as it bubbled away. Immediately, the scent of chili spices started to fill my kitchen, and the aroma could’ve fooled anyone into thinking that this chili had been simmering on the stove for much, much longer. 

By the end of the 10 minutes, though, the chili was still a touch too thin for my personal taste, so I added two or three more minutes of cooking time until it looked nice and thick. After removing it from the heat, I assembled one of my favorite fall dishes, a Frito chili pie, by ladling the chili over a pile of Fritos, and showering the whole thing with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. 

I was surprised, as I dug into the glorious pile of chips and chili, at how flavorful the Chili Magic was after such a short cook. I might have preferred a bit more heat, but that was easily remedied with a few dashes of hot sauce. This would be a great fit for cheesy chili dogs or simply enjoying in a bowl alongside a hunk of cornbread. 

Where To Find Chili Magic 

In addition to the Classic Homestyle flavor, Bush’s also has Campfire Style Chili Magic that’s made with smoky chipotle peppers and green chiles, and Slow-Simmered White Chili Starter that’s meant for use with shredded chicken. 

Each can is about $1.99, which is maybe 70 cents more than a regular can of Bush’s pinto beans. Combine that with $6.99 for a pound of ground beef and $1.29 for the canned tomatoes, and I had three or four servings of chili for under $11. Not too shabby!

Find Chili Magic on Amazon Fresh and have it delivered to your door.