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Wendy's chili with beans.
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4 from 4 votes

Wendy's Chili Recipe (Copycat Recipe)

Love Wendy's chili? Our copycat Wendy's chili recipe tastes exactly like the real deal and it's so easy to make at home.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Chili
Cuisine: American
Keyword: wendy's chili, wendy's chili recipe
Servings: 8
Author: Lee Funke

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef we used 85% fat
  • 1/2 large white onion diced
  • 1 stalk celery diced
  • 1 medium green pepper diced
  • 1 medium jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
  • 30 oz. tomato sauce
  • 30 oz. diced tomatoes 2 standard cans
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 15 oz. kidney beans* with liquid
  • 15 oz. pinto beans* with liquid
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 1-3 tablespoons brown sugar depending on preference

Instructions

  • Heat a large stockpot over medium/high heat.
  • Add the ground beef to the stockpot and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
  • While the beef is cooking and still pink, add the onion, celery, green pepper, and jalapeño pepper. Stir all of the ingredients together and cook until the beef is just cooked through, about 4-5 additional minutes.
    cooking beef in pot.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until combined. 
    chili in a white pot on a white background.
  • Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
  • Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
    chili in bowl with crackers and a spoon.

Notes

  • Storage: Let the chili cool, transfer it into airtight containers, and refrigerate for up to 5 days. It will thicken as it sits, so feel free to add a splash of water or broth to thin it out before reheating.
  • Freezing Instructions: Once the chili is completely cool, transfer into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. 
  • Beans: Most of our chili recipes call for drained and rinsed beans. For this chili recipe, we use the entire can of beans, including the liquid. If you prefer to drain and rinse the beans, add about 1/2 cup of water or beef broth.
  • Spices: Replace the chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin with 1/3 cup of our homemade chili seasoning. This won't replicate the exact Wendy's chili flavor, but it works in a pinch.

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 20g