What Even Is Chili?

An investigation

Hello! I would like to begin by saying that I am very confused about chili.

google images / Via google images

Chili, according to google, is defined as: "a spicy stew of beef and red chilies or chili powder, often with beans and tomatoes." Seems legit, right?

google images / Via google images

Webster's dictionary defines chili as "a thick sauce made of meat and chilies" which is less descriptive, but still somewhat similar to the other definition.

WELL GUESS WHAT FRIENDS?!!? CHILI. MAY. ALSO. BE. SOUP.

google images / Via google images

Soup is defined as "a liquid dish, typically made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables, etc., in stock or water". BUT it is also defined as "a substance or mixture perceived to resemble soup in appearance or consistency". THIS. CAN. APPLY. TO. CHILI.

The definition above also closely resembles one that I found on Oxford Dictionaries, I am not sure which one came first, so I will credit both.

There have been different arguments and opinions about whether chili qualifies as a soup or a stew,

google images / Via google images

Some arguments for chili qualifying as a stew:

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1. Soup is broth based; chili does not usually broth, therefore it is not a soup.

2. Bri Toland, Vice President of the International Chili Society "It is the official opinion of International Chili Society that chili is not and should not be considered a soup".

3. It kinda just seems like a stew, ya know?

And here are many arguments as for why CHILI IS A SOUP:

google images / Via google images

1. When you go to a restaurant, chili is listed under SOUP of the day.

2. Some recipes do have broth in them, so that means that it is a soup.

3. When you watch tasty, chili is listed as SOUP in some videos.

4. Campbell's makes a chili SOUP.