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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Transfer browned beef into a large pot or slow cooker, creating a robust base for the chili.
- Incorporate tomato juice, tomato purée, beans, chopped onions, diced celery, and green bell peppers into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- 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.
- For stovetop preparation, cover and simmer at low temperature (around 180°F) for approximately 90 minutes, gently stirring every quarter-hour to prevent scorching.
- Alternatively, use a slow cooker set on low for 3-4 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, complex flavors.
- When chili reaches desired consistency and flavors have intensified, ladle into serving bowls.
- 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