Chili – Like Wendy’s is perfect for those cooler nights! Thick, hearty and full of ground beef, beans and tomatoes! It really hits the spot!
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Chili – Like Wendy’s
Personally, this is one way I can get a bunch of veggies into my family without much complaint …. and my 5 year old who swears he “doesn’t like tomatoes,” will devour this chili! That’s a definite score in my book! Especially when you see how tomato-packed this chili is!
As a side note, a quarter of a cup of chili powder may sound like a lot, but you will need a bunch to counteract the amount of tomatoes in this recipe. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder to your family’s personal taste.
It’s worth a mention, the Chili – Like Wendy’s is an award-winning chili. It has won chili cook-offs, and people beg for the recipe! It’s that good! 🙂
Chili - Like Wendy's
Chili - Like Wendy's is perfect for those cooler nights! Thick, hearty and full of ground beef, beans and tomatoes! It really hits the spot!
Ingredients
- 2 lb. hamburger
- 48 oz. can tomato juice
- 29 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. white sugar
- 1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz.) dark red kidney beans, drained
- 1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, drained
- Your choice of toppings (below), optional
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, cook and crumble the beef over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
- Return meat to the pan and place all remaining ingredients, except toppings, in the soup pot, stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Stir every 15-20 minutes.
- Serve hot with your choice of toppings!
Topping ideas: crackers, Fritos corn chips, cheese, sour cream, green onions, chopped white onions, jalapenos, crushed red pepper, crumbled cornbread, avocado slices, bacon, tomatoes, black olives, cilantro, lime wedges, Corn Nuts, hot sauce, cooked elbow macaroni or a few dark chocolate chips.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 383Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 1055mgFiber: 9gSugar: 11gProtein: 32g
Originally published on June 15, 2012. Updated on April 21, 2021.
Oh my! Its like a 100 degrees outside but all I can think about is making your chili:) LOL This does so look good and I agree, you just have to have cornbread with it. Thanks for sharing a sweet memory and a very delicious recipe at Freedom Fridays. Loving the way you share your "I saw it on Pinterest Fridays".
I have to admit, I enjoy it even when it's hot out! I love this stuff!! 🙂 And cornbread is a must! Hope you have a great weekend! Can't wait to see you next week 🙂
OMG…I LOVE this chili recipe….I have to try this one out. My youngest LOVES Wendy's chili! 🙂
It's even good for you with all the veggies and tomato juice/sauce! This is my absolute favorite way to make chili … I gave this recipe to a friend of mine, and she even won first place in a Chili Cook-Off with this recipe 🙂
I am going to have to pin this since D loves chili. Thanks so much for sharing on Tout It Tuesday!
Thank you for stopping by and pinning 🙂
Yum!
🙂 My word exactly!
mmmmm…sweet tea and cornbread both very good accompiments to most meals, lol…i am going to try your recipe.
🙂 Sweet tea and cornbread do go with most any meal! Let me know when you try it Debra … I would love to hear what you thought!
I love chili, but mine never tastes very much like anything. I can't wait to try yours out!
I can promise you, this isn't bland! It's also not overboard on the spice – pretty middle of the road! I hope you like it 🙂
Tried this today and it IS a mega winner of a recipe. Thanks so much, Jamie!
sounds delicious!
Thank you! We really enjoy it 🙂
Oh I love the dirty dog water. Too funny! Your chili looks fantastic to me. YUM! Come and visit us today to see what wonderful picnic salad we have and be sure to come back on Friday. We are giving away flip flops. You will want a pair of these.
Out of the mouth of babes, right?! Stopped by your site and entered the giveaway! 🙂
This is a great Chili recipe, be sure and bring it back in October for The Texas Star Chili Cook Off.
Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I definitely will Miz Helen! I can't wait til October and the Texas Star Chili Cook Off – I bet there are a ton of great recipes 🙂
I love chili especially on top of a baked potato. The ingredients are common but comes together to transform into delicious goodness! I'd love it if you would link up to Fantastic Thursday. http://www.fivelittlechefs.com/2012/06/fantastic-thursday-2.html Hope to see you there!
We enjoy leftover chili on potatoes sometimes! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
This chili looks so delicious! We appreciate you linking up to our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday". Hope you'll come back soon! -The Sisters
Thanks for stopping by Sisters 🙂
Jamie,
This chili looks fabulous! I bet it would be great in the crock pot too and not heat up the kitchen in the summer 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday.
We have made it in the crockpot … and it is so nice for those hot summer days!
Looks delicious! How would you recommend cooking it in the crockpot?
Wendy's chili is my favorite lunchtime treat when I'm out running errands. Aren't food memories wonderful – so sweet to be reminded of your wonderful grandmother when you think about chili.
I only order 2 things from Wendy's – chili and frosty's! Memories are wonderful things …. it's funny the things we are reminded of, just by smell!
We love Wendy's chili! Looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!
Besides frosty's, their chili is my favorite thing on the menu 🙂
Dirty Dog Water??? Really?? Sweet tea is the best drink ever! Silly boy! 😉
This chili sounds super good!! If it ever cools down here, I'll be sure to give it a try!
Thanks so much for sharing this at Mom's Test Meal Mondays!
Hi Jamie,
I love Wendy's Chili and I know your Chili will be delicious, can't wait to try it. I Pinned your post and Thank You so much for sharing your great Chili with The Texas Star Chili Cook Off 2012.
Good Luck!
Miz Helen
This is sure to be a great chili recipe, I love Wendy's chili!
Good Luck, Jamie !!!
I hope clicking on you counts for votes because I have really had too much fun clicking on your for no reason if not. Lol
I just love trying new Chili recipes. Each one seems to have a personality of its own. Can't wait to try yours. Forgive me if I skip the Sweet Tea?
I made this Chili this week. I have to just say, after searching for a great Chili recipe and making several and eliminating those, this was AMAZING!! I made it for a family dinner with my grown children and their children. The chili is bursting with flavor and yet not spicy hot. My 16 mos Grandson loved it. My 5 yr old Grand daughter had to inspect the individual componants before eating two bowls and the 3 yr old just looked at it and turned up her nose. There is never a night when I can win
G'day and oh no, really?
I want to come through he screen and taste your chilli! 🙂
Cheers! Joanne
Viewed as part of Food Friends Friday Chili Party
@mickeydownunder
Yummy! this is an awesome recipe. Thanks for linking to Saturday Dishes.
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
I'm a huge fan of chilli too and my recipe is very similar except I don't add sugar :).
Kate | Diaries of a Essex Girl
This looks really nice, for me especially, because of the beans; one of my favourites. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your feature at SITS!
I love chili too! I try all sorts of new recipes. That chili with the chocolate in it so far is my favorite. I think it's called Cincinnati Chili. I'm always game to try something new!! Can't wait to try yours! Happy SITS Day!
So excited to make this!!
I've been wanting to make a homemade chili. I will have to try this some time. Looks yummy!
For a recipe that size I usually use 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. Thanks for the memories of your grandma's chili and the smell. It was my grandpa and fried apple pie that I loved to smell–and eat. Enjoy your SITS Day.
Yum. I love chili. Perfect fall weather food, even better to eat when watching football!
Happy SITS Day!
Oh YUM!! I have a chili cook-off coming up this Sunday and was looking for a recipe… I think I may have found it! My dad's recipe always tastes better the second day (I think it gets a little thicker and the flavors are really fussed at that point) Would you suggest this chilli be made the day of or the day before the cook-off? Thanks for sharing and Happy SITS Day!
I love chili! This recipes sounds really good Jamie! With the cooler weather coming, it's perfect for our football parties! Happy SITS Day to you! So happy to see you featured!
So excited that it's chili time again! Your recipe looks great!
I have been making a lot of chili lately. Different kinds. Sugar, huh? I'm going to try that. Your topping suggestions are fabulous. Enjoy your SITS Day!
There is no better topping for chili than Fritos! My brother has a chili cook-off at his Super Bowl party every year. I might just have to borrow this recipe for my entry! Happy SITS Day!
I see we're fellow AllRecipes.com fans 🙂 This looks SO good! Happy SITS Day!
Pinned and sharing on fb, thanks for sharing at Sat.Dishes!
Hi Jamie, I love your recipe so much I've blogged about it!! We've been making this quite frequently since we discovered it!
First thank you you are awsome.I tried to save the chili recipie button it told me to wait.Do you have a cookbook? I have to get more protein and I love Wendy's chili yrs.round.Jami again thank you.I have many many recipies I would love to share.xo
Jamie! I love chili! I think this may be right up my alley! Thanks for sharing them with us on #foodie Fridays!!!! Glad to see ya there!
This looks awesome, Jamie! I do love chili….but cold!? That might be where I draw the line. 😉
Excellent chili recipe. It is finally getting a little chilly around here. May need to make this soon. Pinned. Thanks for bringing this by Weekend Bites.
This looks amazing Jamie!! Love a good chili!
Did I read that right? 1/4 cup of chili powder?
Yes, you read it right! You will need that much to counteract all of the tomato products! I know it sounds like a lot, but I assure you its not a typo! 🙂
Made this chili – omitted the tomato juice – I like a thick chili – it was fabulous! This is my new go to chili recipe.
I have never made Chili before and I found your recipe on line, because my Apartment Managers were having a Chili Cook Off and boy did it go over good…I won! Thank you for another family dinner recipe 🙂
That is AWESOME!!! 🙂 Congratulations on winning the Cook-Off!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
I LOVE chili, and this looks so good, Jamie! This is making me look forward to cooler weather!
My husband and I joke that everyone swears their chili is the best. My guess is that yours really is. I will probably have to make it for the next chili cook off I go to.
why tomatoe juice? why not just use more tomatoes?
What kind of spoon did you use to break up the meat?
This is by far the best chili I've tried. I had my 13 year old son make it and it was amazing. It was his first time cooking and he was very proud. Thanks for a great recipe!!
Chili like Wendy’s, on top of a salad. It’s good.