- Brian Baumgartner swears by simple chili, and he adds the beans near the end for the perfect texture.
- His “embarrassing” snack? Uncrustables. He says their consistent flavor makes them impossible to resist.
- The Office star’s Thanksgiving hot take: sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is too sweet.
I sat down with The Office star and chili enthusiast Brian Baumgartner and at his Chili Nights event with Bush’s Chili Beans, powered by Eventbrite. We talked about all things food—and yes, we were eating his very own chili recipe. And let me just say, dinner with Baumgartner is exactly what you’d hope for it to be: funny, down-to-earth and full of good food talk.
Between the laughs, snack confessions and strong feelings about sweet potato casserole, Baumgartner made one thing clear: he’s as genuine off-screen as he is funny on it. Read our full conversation below, including more on the “embarrassing” snack he cannot live without.
How did your partnership with Bush’s Beans come about, and what makes it such a perfect fit?
The partnership’s been going on for years. Five, maybe six? And it just makes sense. I want anything I do to feel real and true to me, and Bush’s Beans fits that perfectly. They’re a fantastic company. I love their history, and honestly, their beans just taste good—especially the chili beans.
As the unofficial chili master, what’s your take on the great bean debate? Which beans belong in chili?
For me, it’s usually two: kidney beans and pinto beans. You don’t need to overcomplicate it. I’ll usually put in a can of each. The sauce the beans come in adds so much flavor that you really don’t need much else.
Do you have any secret ingredients or techniques that make your chili stand out?
Chocolate is cheating. Brown sugar is cheating, too. You can always tell when someone’s trying to cover up their chili with sweetness. I keep it simple with good ingredients, time to reduce, and Bush’s Beans. The trick is to add [the beans] near the end, about 20 minutes before you’re ready to serve, so they stay firm and don’t get mushy. That’s how you get perfect chili.
How do you make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day?
It’s a full-time commitment. I use electrolyte powder daily—just make sure you find one with clean ingredients. And I always have my Yeti cup with me, even when I travel. It’s basically an accessory at this point.
What’s your favorite go-to snack?
On the golf course, I always tell myself I’ll grab something healthy, like a protein bar. But then the Uncrustables get me every time. Strawberry or grape—it doesn’t matter. They’re just so consistent. Every single one tastes exactly the same, and that’s kind of comforting.
Same, Brian. Same.
Time for a Thanksgiving hot take: what’s one popular holiday dish you just can’t stand?
Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows? Absolutely not. It’s just too sweet, save that for dessert! Don’t get me wrong, I love a simple baked Japanese sweet potato with butter, but the casserole? I’m categorically opposed.
