Bush’s chili starter is a popular pre-made chili seasoning mix that serves as a base for homemade chili. It contains a blend of spices, seasonings, and thickeners that provide robust chili flavor when mixed with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and other chili ingredients. Bush’s chili starter helps simplify chili preparation while still allowing cooks to customize and personalize their chili recipe.
Some key questions around Bush’s chili starter include:
What are the main ingredients in Bush’s chili starter?
Bush’s chili starter contains a mix of spices, seasonings, and thickeners to give chili its signature flavor and texture. Major ingredients include:
– Chili powder – A blend of ground dried chiles and complementary spices like cumin, oregano, garlic, and onion. Provides essential chili flavor.
– Salt – For seasoning.
– Spices and flavorings – Such as paprika, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin. Boost flavor complexity.
– Thickeners – Typically corn or wheat flour. Help thicken and bind chili.
– Dried minced onion and garlic – Extra flavor.
– Beef suet or vegetable oil – Adds richness.
– Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – For umami flavor.
Are there any preservatives in Bush’s chili starter?
Yes, Bush’s chili starter contains some preservatives to help extend shelf life and prevent spoilage:
– Citric acid – Preservative and acidity regulator
– Less than 2% silicon dioxide – Anti-caking agent
– Potassium sorbate – Preservative
– Sodium bisulfite – Preservative
– Soy lecithin – Emulsifier and preservative
The preservatives are added in small amounts and are standard ingredients found in many processed foods.
What are the nutritional facts for Bush’s chili starter?
Here are the nutritional facts for a 1 tablespoon (8g) serving of Bush’s chili starter:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 20 |
| Total Fat | 1 g |
| Sodium | 360 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
As you can see, Bush’s chili starter is low in calories, fat, and carbs, but high in sodium. The sodium primarily comes from the salt and seasonings.
Does Bush’s chili starter contain any common food allergens?
Yes, Bush’s chili starter contains some potential allergens:
– Wheat – The flour used as a thickener is typically wheat-based.
– Soy – From the soy lecithin.
– Garlic and onion – In powdered form.
So those with wheat, soy, garlic, or onion allergies or sensitivities should be aware. Bush’s chili starter is not gluten-free.
What meat is best to use with Bush’s chili starter?
Ground beef is the most traditional and popular meat choice for chili made with Bush’s chili starter. The rich, beefy flavor pairs perfectly with the spices. Lean ground beef with an 80/20 meat to fat ratio works well.
Other good options include:
– Ground turkey – Lean and lower fat.
– Ground chicken or pork – Milder meats.
– Ground venison or bison – For a gamey flavor.
– Chopped or shredded beef chuck roast – More texture.
– Crumbled sausage or chorizo – For a spicy kick.
What types of beans work well in chili made with Bush’s starter?
Kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, and chili beans are all excellent choices for chili made with Bush’s chili starter. Beans add fiber, protein, and texture. Some good bean options include:
– Kidney beans – Smooth, mild flavor. Classic choice.
– Black beans – Earthy, velvety texture.
– Pinto beans – Smooth, nutty flavor.
– Chili beans – Spicy and bold.
– Mixed beans – Use 2-3 varieties. Adds complexity.
– Garbanzo beans – Thickens chili nicely.
– Refried beans – Adds richness and body.
Canned beans are convenient, but dried beans can be soaked and cooked as well.
What extra ingredients help make chili tastier with Bush’s starter?
Some beneficial extra ingredients to personalize and enhance chili made with Bush’s chili starter include:
– Diced tomatoes – Provides moisture and chili flavor. Use fresh or canned.
– Tomato sauce/paste – Thickens and enriches chili.
– Beef or vegetable broth – Adds moisture and savoriness.
– Sauteed onions and peppers – Extra flavor and texture.
– Minced jalapenos or chili peppers – For spicy heat.
– Lime juice – Brightens flavor.
– Cilantro – Fresh herbal flavor.
– Grated cheese – For topping; cheddar, jack, pepper jack.
– Sour cream – Cooling contrast.
– Crushed tortilla chips – Garnish for crunch.
How long does Bush’s chili starter last?
Unopened, Bush’s chili starter has a shelf life of up to 2 years if stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, it will last 6-8 months in the pantry. For longest freshness, store in an airtight container.
Signs that Bush’s chili starter may be expired include faded or dull color, dry clumpy texture, and loss of aroma. If in doubt, use your senses – old product will have weakened smell and taste.
To extend shelf life after opening, store in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigerated, it should last about 1 year past the “best by” date.
Where can I buy Bush’s chili starter?
Bush’s chili starter can be found in the spice aisle at most major grocery stores in the U.S., including:
| Store | Availability |
|---|---|
| Walmart | Widely Available |
| Target | Widely Available |
| Kroger | Widely Available |
| Publix | Widely Available |
| Aldi | Seasonal Availability |
| Trader Joe’s | Not Typically Carried |
It is usually sold in small pouches or shaker bottles for around $1-3. Bush’s chili starter can also be purchased online through retailers like Amazon.
Uses for Bush’s Chili Starter
Bush’s chili starter is a versatile mix that can be used to make many dishes beyond just classic chili:
Chili con carne
This is the obvious use – for making traditional American-style beef chili. Bush’s chili starter seasoned ground beef, beans, tomatoes, onions, etc. makes putting together a pot of chili simple.
Taco meat filling
Spice up ground beef or turkey by adding Bush’s chili starter instead of regular taco seasoning. Makes flavorful taco meat for tacos, burritos, nachos, etc.
Chili burgers
Mix Bush’s chili starter into the ground meat when making burger patties for a flavor boost. Top with cheese and pickled jalapenos for chili cheeseburgers.
Chili hot dogs
Add heated Bush’s seasoned chili sauce over hot dogs. Can also mix into hot dog chili for topping dogs.
Chili mac
Incorporate Bush’s chili starter into cheese or macaroni for an easy chili mac dish.
Chili pizza
Use Bush’s chili as pizza sauce or topping for a creative chili pizza. Adds nice heat.
Chili nachos
Liven up nachos by drizzling Bush’s spiced chili over tortilla chips and cheese.
Crockpot dishes
The convenience of Bush’s chili starter makes it ideal for no-fuss crockpot meals. Add to pot roasts, meatballs, pulled pork, etc.
Chili dogs
Spoon some Bush’s chili over hot dogs for an easy chili dog meal.
Frito pie
A chili pie made using Bush’s chili starter and Fritos corn chips is a tasty dish.
Red chili enchiladas
Make a spicy red enchilada sauce with Bush’s chili starter to fill enchiladas.
Tips for Making Great Chili with Bush’s Starter
Here are some helpful tips for making the best chili using Bush’s chili starter:
Brown the ground meat
Take time to brown and cook the ground meat thoroughly before adding other ingredients. This enhances flavor.
Saute aromatics
Sauteing onions, garlic, and peppers before adding to the chili builds flavor complexity.
Use good quality broth
The broth adds a lot of richness – use good quality beef or chicken broth.
Add some heat
Consider diced hot peppers or chili powder for spicy heat to taste preferences.
Simmer, don’t boil
Gently simmer the chili on low for 1-2 hours; no boiling. Allows flavors to marry.
Adjust seasoning
Taste and adjust salt, pepper, spices, etc during simmering until seasoning is perfect.
Finish with lime
Add lime juice just before serving to brighten the flavors.
Top it off
Garnish with toppings like shredded cheese, onions, sour cream for added texture.
Make ahead
Chili often tastes even better the next day once flavors have blended. Perfect for meal prep.
Chili Starter Substitutes
If you don’t have Bush’s chili starter on hand, there are a few substitution options to create a similar spice blend:
Make your own chili seasoning
Blend together 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
Use another brand
Many brands sell premade chili starter spice packs similar to Bush’s, such as McCormick or Lawry’s.
Individual spices
Approximate the flavor with a blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Taco seasoning
While not an exact substitute, 1-2 packets of taco seasoning provides complementary spices and seasonings to chili.
Cajun seasoning
The chili, garlic, paprika, and cayenne in Cajun seasoning mirrors some of chili starter’s core flavors.
If you need an emergency stand-in for Bush’s chili starter, these pantry ingredients can fill in and provide enough seasoning to still make good chili. But for the authentic flavor, it’s best to use Bush’s or an equivalent chili starter spice blend if you have it.
Conclusion
Bush’s chili starter is the perfect shortcut for making flavorful homemade chili with minimal effort thanks to its special blend of spices, chili powder, garlic, and other seasonings. It allows you to customize your chili recipe while infusing robust chili taste into meats, beans, tomatoes, and other ingredients. With some simple mixing and simmering, you can use Bush’s chili starter as the flavor base in chili con carne, chili dogs, spicy tacos, and more – even enchiladas or pizza. Add extra vegetables, beans, broth and meat to Bush’s starter to cook up a big pot of chili using your own creative touches.