Costco’s Chili Stirs up Debate on TikTok, Regarding 1 Controversial Ingredient

Costco shoppers are widely divided on Kirkland’s Signature Chili

Unlike Costco’s gold bars, which effectively flew off the shelves last month, one seasonal staple hasn’t received universally positive feedback. Kirkland recently re-released its signature fall chili, and it’s actually garnered quite a bit of controversy.

Kirkland Signature Chili, which comes in a four-pound tub, is made up of what many would consider to be the “usual suspects” — beef, onions, cheese, and a wide range of spices. But the controversial addition that’s truly gotten some heat? Beans — kidney and pinto beans, to be exact.

A number of customers seem to be enjoying Kirkland’s tubs of chili. Laura Lamb, the creator behind the TikTok account @costcohotfinds, posted a video celebrating the return of Kirkland chili.

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“It’s my favorite!” the voice behind the camera announces.

But the stew’s return has quite literally opened a can of beans, leading TikTok users to debate whether or not beans should be in chili at all.

A user by the name of Alex McDonald wrote in the comments: “There's no beans in chili. I don't know what this is, but it's not chili."

Another user, named James Mackey, wrote: “That’s not chili. That’s bean soup.”

A TikTok user behind the account GRUMPYxPIGEONxFAN24 also chimed in: “Real chili DOESN’T HAVE BEANS IN IT.”

This controversy seems to reflect larger regional differences. It has shed some light on the fact that many — particularly those from Texas — aren’t fans of the addition of beans to that steaming pot of stew.

A Huffington Post article from earlier this year, which was titled "It's Criminal To Put Beans In Your Chili If You Live In Texas," explains that chili should be a simple mix of beef and spices — nothing less, nothing more.

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So if you’re cooking for anyone hailing from the Lone Star state, you’d best not be adding legumes to your chili. It could be a deal-breaker.

This debate is somewhat reminiscent of the infamous ketchup debate that shook the internet earlier this year. In June, PEOPLE reported that people were taking to TikTok and Instagram to argue whether or not the beloved condiment should be stored in a pantry, or if it should be refrigerated.

And although the responses didn’t seem specific to any certain U.S. regions, such as how the presence of beans in chili are effectively a crime to Texans, it certainly got people rethinking their opinions on condiment storage solutions.

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