Chili is a comfort food staple, perfect for cozy nights in or as a hearty meal to fuel your day. But with so many options on the grocery store shelf, it can be a challenge to choose the best one. That’s why we embarked on a taste-test journey to find the ultimate canned chili. We sampled 14 different brands, analyzing them across three key categories: flavor, texture, and value.

Flavor is, of course, paramount when it comes to food. We looked for a rich blend of spices, well-cooked beans, and a savory meat taste that packs a punch without overwhelming the palate. Texture was also critical; we wanted a chili that wasn’t too runny or too thick but had the right balance of ingredients that held together well on a spoon. Lastly, value was considered — not all chilis are priced equally, and we aimed to discover whether higher price points correlated with better quality.

After numerous tastings and much deliberation, one brand stood out from all the rest: Big Bowl’s Homestyle Chili. Much to our surprise, Big Bowl’s chili triumphed in all three categories.

In terms of flavor, this chili had an exceptional depth brought on by its blend of spices which included cumin, paprika, and a touch of cayenne for some heat. The meat was tender yet retained its structure, avoiding the all-too-common pitfall of mushiness. The beans complemented the meat perfectly both in flavor and in their firmness. It tasted homemade—a quality incredibly difficult to capture in a canned product.

When it came to texture, Big Bowl’s chili delivered just the right viscosity. It was hearty without being overly dense and had enough sauce to maintain moisture without turning soupy. It hugged our spoon with enthusiasm but never felt heavy or burdensome.

Finally, the value aspect was perhaps the most surprising: despite its superior quality in flavor and texture, Big Bowl’s Homestyle Chili is mid-range in price among its competitors. This combination of affordability and high quality is hard to come across and made Big Bowl’s offering stand out even more.

Overall, our exhaustive search had led us to not just a winner but an all-star product that showed excellence across every area we evaluated. Whether you’re an avid chili aficionado or just looking for an easy meal fix, you’d be well-advised to reach for Big Bowl’s Homestyle Chili — it truly is top-notch comfort in a can.