Make Wendy’s Chili at Home: The Cozy Comfort Recipe

Wendy’s chili has been a comfort food sensation that sparks memories of cozy afternoons.

Our kitchen adventure brings this beloved classic right to your table.

Hearty ingredients merge into a rich, satisfying blend that warms you from the inside out.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike have attempted to replicate this iconic dish.

Savory ground beef and perfectly seasoned beans create a robust flavor profile that feels both familiar and exciting.

Subtle spices dance through each spoonful, promising a meal that connects you to a beloved fast-food tradition.

You’ll love how simple ingredients can create such a delicious culinary experience.

Let’s uncover the secrets behind this irresistible chili that has captured hearts nationwide.

Wendy’s Chili Overview

• Savor Hearty Comfort: A soul-warming dish packed with rich, robust flavors that hugs your taste buds and satisfies deep hunger cravings.
• Customize Your Bowl: Endless topping options let you personalize each serving, making it perfect for picky eaters or adventurous food lovers.
• Low-Maintenance Cooking: Simple one-pot preparation means minimal cleanup and stress-free meal preparation for busy home cooks.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Universally loved recipe that appeals to both kids and adults, creating a delicious dining experience everyone can enjoy together.

Ingredients for Wendy’s Chili

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that gives the chili its robust flavor and substantial texture.

• Onion, Celery, Green Bell Pepper: A classic combination that provides a savory and aromatic base for the chili.

• Tomato Juice, Tomato Purée: These ingredients create a rich, smooth liquid foundation that supports the chili's signature sauce.

• Beans: A classic chili ingredient that adds protein, texture, and earthiness to the dish.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Cayenne Pepper: A blend of spices that delivers deep, complex, and warming flavor to the chili.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste profile.

• Sugar: A small amount that helps round out the flavors and balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

How to Make Wendy’s Chili Copycat

Step 1: Sizzle and Crumble Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Break the ground beef into small pieces while cooking, ensuring it browns evenly.

Drain off any excess grease to keep the chili from becoming too oily.

Step 2: Build the Chili Base

• Tomato juice
• Tomato purée
• Beans
• Chopped onion
• Diced celery
• Chopped green bell pepper

Step 3: Spice It Up

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Oregano
• Sugar
• Cayenne pepper

Step 4: Slow and Steady Cooking

For stovetop method: Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 1 to 1½ hours.

Stir every 15 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even flavor distribution.

For slow cooker method: Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Serve and Customize

Ladle the rich, hearty chili into bowls. Top with your favorite garnishes.

Tips for Hearty Chili

• Cook ground beef over medium heat and break it into small, uniform pieces for a smoother chili texture.
• Toast dry spices in the pot before adding liquid ingredients to enhance their depth and aroma.
• Chili tastes even better the next day, so prepare in advance and refrigerate to let flavors meld together.
• Replace regular salt with low-sodium alternatives or reduce salt quantity for a heart-healthy version.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly chili.

Variations on Wendy’s Chili

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced extra-firm tofu for a meat-free version that maintains protein content.
• Turkey Chili Swap: Substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lower-fat alternative that keeps the classic chili flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Variation: Add diced green chiles, increase cayenne pepper, and mix in chipotle powder for a more intense, smoky heat level.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Remove beans, increase ground beef quantity, and add more low-carb vegetables like zucchini to create a low-carbohydrate friendly recipe.

Ideal Pairings for Wendys Chili

Serve a slice of warm, buttery cornbread alongside the chili to balance its rich, spicy flavors and provide a satisfying textural contrast.

Choose a refreshing amber ale or lager that cuts through the chili’s hearty warmth, enhancing the overall dining experience with its crisp finish.

Sprinkle aged, sharp cheddar cheese on top, which melts beautifully and adds a tangy, creamy element that elevates the chili’s depth of flavor.

Create a light green salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette to provide a fresh, cool counterpoint to the chili’s robust spiciness.

Proper Storage for Chili

• Transfer leftover chili to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining best flavor and texture.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.
• Reheat chili in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking and maintain moisture. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warm.

FAQs

• Is this chili recipe spicy?

The chili has a mild to moderate heat level with a small amount of cayenne pepper. You can easily adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the cayenne pepper to suit your taste preference.

• Can I make this chili vegetarian?

While the original recipe uses ground beef, you can substitute it with plant-based ground meat alternatives or use additional beans to create a vegetarian version of the chili.

• What type of beans work best in this recipe?

Red kidney beans are traditionally used in Wendy’s chili recipe, but you can also use pinto beans or a combination of different bean types for added texture and flavor.

Wendys Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Wendy’s iconic chili recipe brings hearty comfort straight from American kitchens, blending ground beef, beans, and rich tomato sauce into a soul-warming bowl. Homemade goodness delivers restaurant-quality flavor right to your table, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic comfort classic.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 pounds fresh ground beef

Beans:

• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained

Vegetables:

• 1 medium-large onion, chopped (about 1.5 cups)
• 0.5 cup diced celery
• 0.25 cup diced green bell pepper

Liquid:

• 1 quart tomato juice
• 1 (29-ounce) can tomato purée

Spices and Seasonings:

• 0.25 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon sugar
• 0.125 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Instructions

1. Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling the meat while cooking until no longer pink. Thoroughly drain excess grease to prevent oily texture.
2. Transfer browned beef into a large pot or slow cooker, creating a robust base for the chili.
3. Incorporate tomato juice, tomato purée, beans, chopped onions, diced celery, and green bell peppers into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution.
4. Blend a comprehensive spice profile including chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, sugar, and cayenne pepper. Stir meticulously to marry all flavor components.
5. For stovetop preparation, cover and simmer at low temperature (around 180°F) for approximately 90 minutes, gently stirring every quarter-hour to prevent scorching.
6. Alternatively, use a slow cooker set on low for 3-4 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, complex flavors.
7. When chili reaches desired consistency and flavors have intensified, ladle into serving bowls.
8. Enhance with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, tangy sour cream, crisp diced onions, or spicy jalapeño slices for personalized presentation.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat and keep the chili healthier without compromising flavor.
• Let the chili simmer longer for deeper, more developed taste that mimics Wendy’s signature slow-cooked texture.
• Enhance protein content by adding extra beans like kidney or black beans for a more hearty and nutritious version.
• Customize heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper or adding diced jalapeños based on personal spice preference.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 271 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg