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Copycat Wendy’s Chili is just like the one at the fast-food restaurant, and it’s perfect for those cooler nights! It is thick, hearty, and full of ground beef, beans, and tomatoes – it really hits the spot!
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Pin ItWendy’s Chili
Oh, chili! A constant favorite of mine, especially Chili – Like Wendy’s. It not only tastes good and fills you up, but it’s also handy if you’re a mom with picky eaters in the house.
Personally, this is one way I can get a bunch of veggies into my family without much complaint. However, my youngest son, who swears he “doesn’t like tomatoes,” will devour this Wendy’s Copycat Chili! That’s a definite score in my book! Especially when you see how tomato-packed this chili is. It’s almost a miracle!! Though I’m sure, you’ll love it regardless of your loved ones’ pickiness.
By the way, it’s worth a mention that this Wendy’s Chili recipe is award-winning. I know that it may be hard to believe a fast food copycat recipe could be so good, but trust me, it’s incredible! It has won numerous chili cook-offs, and people beg for the recipe!!
Wendy’s Chili Recipe: Ingredients & Utensils
To make chili like Wendys does, youll need …
Ingredients
- Ground beef, tomato juice, tomato sauce: These ingredients form the tasty base of your chili.
- Diced tomatoes, celery, green pepper, onion: The veggies that make this chili really “pop”!
- Chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, white sugar, dried oregano: This exact combination of spices will give you a flavorful chili like Wendy’s!
- Pinto beans, kidney beans: Classic chili beans. A chili just doesn’t feel right without them.
- Your choice of toppings: Think bacon, shredded cheese, Frito’s corn chips, sour cream, hot sauce, crackers, black olives, green onions … the list goes on and on. Bring out your faves!
Utensils & Other Items:
- knife and cutting board: to prep the veggies
- measuring spoons and cups: to get the measurements and taste just right.
- soup pot: For browning the ground beef and prepping the rest of the chili.
- meat chopper or wooden spoon: for browing and crumbling the beef
- spatula or spoon: for stirring the chili.
- ladle: for serving.
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Dietary note: Wendy’s Chili is actually gluten-free, and this recipe is also making this a fantastic meal when you have folks in the family with special dietary needs. Of course, be sure to always read the nutrition facts on all your ingredients to ensure no wheat products have made it in. (You can never be too sure.)
Wendy’s Chili Recipe: FAQs
This is probably the number one question I’m asked! 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 will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Then, you’ll take 15 minutes to prep the chili and an hour and a half to cook it.
About ten servings, give or take, depending on portion size. More than enough to feed your family, though, I imagine!!
It’ll vary depending on what kind of soup pot/appliance you use, but overall you’ll want to ensure your chili is just simmering. If the heat is too high, a lot of the water will evaporate, and it won’t taste quite like Wendy’s chili.
Yes, you can! Brown the ground beef and then combine all of the soup ingredients in your crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Note, your chili will not get as thick since the liquid can’t evaporate away making it thicker – but it’ll still be just as delicious!
Other recipes you may enjoy
Chili – Like Wendy’s
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Equipment
- Silicone Pot Holder Trivet Mats – Hot Pads Spoon Rest, Multipurpose Trivet for Hot Dishers Heat Resistant Food Grade Silicone Set of 4
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 48 ounce tomato juice
- 29 ounce tomato sauce
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped green pepper
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz.
- 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained, 15 oz.
- 1 can pinto beans, drained, 15 oz.
- Your choice of toppings, 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!
Notes
Topping ideas
- crackers, Fritos corn chips, cheese, sour cream, green onions, chopped white onions, jalapeno slices, 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.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
- Yes, you can! Brown the ground beef and then combine all of the soup ingredients in your crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Note, your chili will not get as thick since the liquid can't evaporate away making it thicker – but it'll still be just as delicious!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published on June 15, 2012. Updated on February 17, 2022.
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 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 🙂
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! 🙂
sounds delicious!
Thank you! We really enjoy it 🙂
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!
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!
Yum!
🙂 My word exactly!
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 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂