Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic pantry staple: a hearty, savory blend of ground beef, tomatoes, and chili spices, diluted with water for a quick, warming bowl. Its texture is a satisfying mix of tender meat and soft beans in a rich, slightly thin broth. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie, protein-rich option that provides a good source of fiber and complex carbs for sustained energy.
Calorie split: 17% protein · 64% carbs · 19% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love it for its deep, comforting flavor profile—a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and tangy notes that feel like a hug in a bowl. It's a versatile canvas, easily customized with toppings like cheese, sour cream, or cornbread.
The primary caution is its typically high sodium content, which can be a concern for blood pressure management. The canned, prepared version may also contain added sugars. To counteract, look for 'low sodium' varieties, rinse the beans if possible, and balance the meal by adding fresh, low-sodium toppings like diced avocado, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, or a side salad.
The word 'chili' in 'chili con carne' comes from the Nahuatl word 'chīlli,' which simply means 'chili pepper,' while 'con carne' is Spanish for 'with meat.'
| Water | 85.7 g |
| Energy | 57.0 kcal |
| Energy | 239 kj |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.2 g |
| Ash | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 18.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.79 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 55.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 196 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 388 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.77 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.15 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.39 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.4 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 36.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 0.40 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.11 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 10.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.15 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 28.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 295 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 13.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 72.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 563 iu |
| Lycopene | 1265 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 87.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.53 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.61 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.35 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.18 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.50 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.44 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 5.0 mg |
Estimated from Soup, bean with pork, canned, condensed — USDA does not publish this profile for Soup.
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.24 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.29 g |
| Leucine | 0.48 g |
| Lysine | 0.40 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.33 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.18 g |
| Valine | 0.32 g |
| Arginine | 0.31 g |
| Histidine | 0.15 g |
| Alanine | 0.29 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.66 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.28 g |
| Proline | 0.27 g |
| Serine | 0.29 g |
How does preparing it with water affect the taste and nutrition?
Adding water dilutes the concentrated flavors and sodium, resulting in a milder, brothier soup. It reduces the calorie, sodium, and nutrient density per volume compared to the undiluted canned product, making it lighter.
Is this a good option for a low-carb diet?
It's moderate. While it contains carbs from beans and tomatoes, the fiber content helps offset the net carbs. For a stricter low-carb approach, you could look for versions with fewer beans or add extra non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
Can I freeze leftover prepared chili beef soup?
Yes, it freezes very well. Allow it to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. The texture of the beans may soften slightly upon thawing, but the flavor remains excellent.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.98 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.