Wendy’s Copycat Chili

This Wendy’s Copycat Chili is one of the best renditions you’ll eat to date. It truly satisfies even the biggest Wendy’s Chili Fan. Made from lean ground beef, kidney beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, onions, green chilis, and the perfect amount of spice.

I happen to be a huge fan of Wendy’s chili, actually, it’s one of the few things I order at Wendy’s. It’s thick, rich, and almost comforting when I’m looking for something hearty on chilly days. Ok, that’s a lie. I’ve been known to eat Wendy’s Chili on 95 degree days, truth be told.

I never worked at Wendy’s but I can promise you that over the years I have eaten there enough to pretty much know the flavor I am looking for when it comes to Wendy’s Chili and this may not be 100% on but it’s a great 92% close enough to suit my picky tastes. Which I think is pretty good. Don’t you?

I have seen a ton of Copycat recipes and tried several of them for Copycat Wendy’s Chili, but usually, they seem to end in epic failer not even coming close to that yummy chili I love so much. So I decided to try my own hand at making a copycat version. As luck had it came out pretty damn good, if you don’t mind me tooting my own horn.

I actually knew I had the flavor pretty spot on when my Best Friend walked in my door complaining it stunk like Wendy’s Chili, she actually hates the smell of it and complains every time she smells it. Although, it was not meant as a compliment from her, I was ecstatic! Did she actually just say the entire house stinks like Wendy’s Chili? YES!!!

The true test would be my husband because he is a HUGE Wendy’s fan. He loves the entire menu and if I can win him over, then I am doing a great job with this Copycat recipe. Keep in mind Copycats will NEVER be 100% on point. There are always hidden ingredients and methods one will never know unless they work at the Corporate office for Wendy’s.

I like my chili a tad bit thicker than Wendy’s so you will notice it’s not as thin as what you will order there if you prefer you can add a bit of water to thin it down if desired, just add a little at a time so that it’s not too thin. It’s easier to thin it down than try to re-thicken the chili if it becomes too runny.

I’m not big on a lot of topping for this recipe, but you can add shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onion, diced, onions, crackers, avocados, or whatever you fancy to the finished product. I just like enjoying mine fairly simple with crackers.

Looking around the Net, I found an ingredients list for Wendy’s Chili on their website, I have listed it below for you to take a look at. Oddly it does not list Cumin as one of the ingredients, but I can taste it in their chili and that’s the spice my best friend can’t stand the smell of. Remember me telling you that? I think that one may just fall into “Spices” on their list.

Listed Allergins:

Here are a few tips, tricks, and time-savers for Wendy’s Copycat Chili

1. Use leftover hamburgers made on the grill, then crumble into the chili for additional flavor

2. Use 2 packets of Chili Seasoning instead of the spices listed below

3. Use canned green chilies in place of  the fresh

4. Buy diced onions, bell peppers, and celery in the produce section.

Wendy's Copycat Chili

Heidy McCallum

This Wendy's Copycat Chili is one of the best renditions you'll eat to date. It truly satisfies even the biggest Wendy's Chili Fan.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Chili, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 10 People

Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 pounds Lean Ground beef
• Kosher salt liberally season meat
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper liberally season meat
• 1 large Onion chopped
• 1/2 cup Green Chili Peppers, finely diced about 2 chili peppers
• 1 large Green Bell Pepper, diced
• 1 stalk Celery, finely diced
• 28- ounces Organic Tomato Sauce
• 2-15- ounce Cans of Stewed Tomatoes, diced do not drain
• 2-15- ounce Cans Red Kidney Beans do not drain
• 2-15- ounce Cans Pinto Beans do not drain
• 3 tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 tablespoon Cumin powder or to own taste
• 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Optional Toppings

• Crackers
• Shredded Cheese
• Green Onions
• Diced Onions

Instructions

 

• Season the ground beef liberally with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place a large Dutch oven on medium heat, add the seasoned ground beef. Brown the beef until no longer pink. Drain the ground beef.
• Place the drained ground beef back in the Dutch Oven, reduce heat to low, add all the ingredients listed, except for the Optional toppings, Cook on low heat 60 minutes stirring occasionally to prevent sticking
• Ladle Chili in a bowl and top with favorite toppings if desired.

Tips, Tricks, Time-savors

• Use leftover hamburgers made on the grill, then crumble into the chili for additional flavor
• Use 2 packets of Chili Seasoning instead of spices listed below 
• Use canned green chilies in place of the fresh
• Buy diced onions, bell peppers, and celery in the produce section.

Notes

Although themccallumsshamrockpatch.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and how ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will themccallumsshamrockpatch.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on nutritional information.

 

 

Nutrition

Serving: 01Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 0gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgPotassium: 0mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 0mgIron: 0mg

Keyword Chili, Wendy's Copycat Chili

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