Okay DU gourmets...I need advice...

[Liberal Veteran]

My boyfriend hates kidney beans. What's a good substitute for kidney beans in chili?

[GOPisEvil]

1. Black beans

More southwestern than kidneys anyway. :-)

[athos1126]

2. Yeehaw

black beans hold together better too.

[FauxNewsBlues]

3. Ditto on black beans

You could also consider doing a meatless chili.

Black beans really pair well with both cumin and cilantro so toss some extra cumin and add some cilantro to the chili.

[styersc]

4. Black beans are great in chili...

...but be prepared as they turn chili blue.

[Kolesar]

6. cumin and cilantro with black beans

That sounds delicious. Thanks for telling us.

[meegbear]

5. Make it easy and dump him ...

then you don't have to worry the kidney beans.

[Avalux]

7. pinto beans

softer and lighter taste than kidney or black. You can try lentils too.

[DuctapeFatwa]

8. Make it without kidney beans, heat them, put them on the side as condiment

put little dishes of chopped jalapenos, onions, grated cheese, kidney beans, cilantro, and let people sprinkle or not at will.

[mike_c]

9. never never NEVER put kidney beans in chili....

AARRGGHH!!!!

Ideological purity rant:

a) make chili as a meat/onions/chili stew-- use a blend of New Mexico and ancho chilis for depth, and diced serranos for heat, and use chopped beef instead of ground beef

b) cook PINTO BEANS on the side with a smoked ham hock or similar seasoning

c) serve chili over beans if desired

[dutchdemocrat]

13. I like to multicuturalize food

It is also fun to play with world cuisine (if you live in a place where there is a decent selection).

Garbanzo, Cappucinners, Butter beans... there are so many beans to chose from and play with.

For meats to augment the main (hanmurger or chopped beef)... try a little Chorizo or fine chopped Palma ham. You don't need much to play with the palate.

I also like a dash of finely chopped coriander and a hint of curry layered over the straight chili powder. Makes it more swarthy in the mouth.

Take it or leave it... it is one man's opinion.

[TreasonousBastard]

18. AMEN!!!

Who the hell started putting beans in chili anyway? Some cheap shit trying to save on meat?

And NO HAMBURGER MEAT!!! Shaved, slivered, sliced, or even cubed beef.

Of course, you really can put anything you want in chili, although it might then be called something else. Corn, okra, peas, crushed or sliced tomatoes...

If it tastes good, it is good.

(apologies to Duke Ellington)

[dutchdemocrat]

10. Options

He does not like Kidney beans?

Give him Lima's then... just kidding

How about Black eyed peas, they are nice.

Or better yet Chick peas (garbanzo) - this is what the Greeks make Homus from. Lovely texture and flavour.

Or black beans like most think.

[Robb]

14. I like the black-eyed peas idea

That or the pintos would work just fine.

If you're feelin' spunky, go for hominy. That'll learn 'im.

:)

[trof]

11. spaghetti squash

No...wait...that's for Fettucine Alfredo.
nevermind
;-)

[ACK]

12. Make texas style chilli

Steak and not beans I do put in chunkier tomatos and onions though.

[MissMillie]

15. Chili purists

don't use beans at all.... or so says my chili cookbook. Meat and peppers.

[Padraig18]

16. My Cuban-Mexican boyfriend says...

..."chili does not have beans in it." :P

[VelmaD]

17. Idea from my best friend...

she was making chili once and discovered she was out of pinto beans. Found a can of Ranch Style Beans in the pantry and thought "what the hell". Put 'em in and it tasted pretty good.

Otherwise I agree with the folks who said either use pinto beans (like god intended) or black beans.