This simple Wendy’s Chili Recipe is SPOT ON! Also, easy and delicious! Make a double batch and freeze some for later, and make sure to add it to this week’s meal plan!
This Wendy’s Chili Recipe is one of my most popular recipes. And for good reason – it’s delicious! If you love Wendy’s Chili, then this is a great recipe for you. Go ahead and check out the comments to see what others are saying! We like to serve our Wendy’s Chili with this cornbread recipe or our sweet cornbread. And easy peanut butter cookies for dessert.
Wendy’s Chili
Wendy’s Chili – Easy Copycat Recipe
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Wendy’s Chili Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef – Browned and drained. We typically use something with a lower fat content since it is drained off, but you can use whatever you prefer (or what is on sale!).
- Sweet yellow onions – Rough chopped, no need to get fancy as this will be simmering for a long time!
- Green peppers – We use green bell pepper, not hot peppers. Remove the seeds and pith, then rough chop.
- Celery – Take off the leafy top and rough chop the stem.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic will give you the most flavor, but feel free to use pre-minced garlic in a jar if you don’t have any fresh available.
- Ranch Style Beans – Don’t drain! You can get these on Amazon or at the grocery store, usually near the baked beans.
- Dark red kidney beans – Go ahead and drain these, as they’re not seasoned. we typically use two of the 15 ounce can kidney beans, but if you can find 30 ounce cans, those work too. If the can sizes are a little above or below what’s called for, this is not a problem.
- Original Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chili – Some grocery stores carry a generic brand; this is fine too!
- Stewed tomatoes – You can use fresh tomatoes if you prefer, but we like to use canned tomatoes.
- Tomato sauce – Not spaghetti sauce and not tomato juice! Tomato sauce is plain sauce made from tomatoes and found in the canned tomato section.
- McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning – This is definitely my favorite seasoning! It’s available at most markets and also on Amazon.
Wendy’s Chili Copycat Recipe
I am obsessed with Wendy’s Chili lately, and even though it’s reasonably priced, that’s not really a good excuse for hitting the drive-thru.
Especially when it’s something I can make at home! After several minutes of scouring the internet for ‘What ingredients are in Wendy’s chili?‘ I came up with a recipe that showed some promise. So, I wrote my ingredient list and headed to Wendy’s.
Sitting in the grocery store parking lot chowing on my chili, I made a few amendments to the recipe list and then headed on in. And, boy oh boy. FANTASTIC!
How Do You Make Wendy’s Chili?
⭐ First, brown the ground beef on the stove top, and drain off grease.
⭐ Then, combine all ingredients in a large pot.
⭐ Finally, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for at least three hours (I let mine cook all day long).
Love beef? Try this Mississippi pot roast recipe next!
Nutritional Information
Is Wendy’s Chili Gluten Free
This copycat recipe is gluten free, if you use a gluten-free chili spice packet. The gluten free chili seasoning is readily available typically in the same area as the regular chili spice blends.
Is Wendy’s Chili Healthy?
Whether something is healthy will obviously depend on your individual dietary needs. That said, our copycat chili recipe is full of protein from the beef and beans, fiber from the vegetables and beans, as well as vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and spices.
If you’re looking for a way to make a lighter version of our chili, try substituting ground chicken or turkey for the beef. We also have a delicious quick chicken chili, or healthy ground turkey chili recipe you could check out!
Preparation
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make our Copycat Wendy’s Chili in a crock pot. Make sure you’re using an 8 quart or larger cooker. If your slow cooker is smaller, halve the recipe.
To make in a slow cooker, add all ingredients, cover, and cook on high for 4 – 6 hours or low for 8 – 10 hours.
Can I make Wendy’s Chili in an Instant Pot?
Yes, to prepare in an Instapot, first, make sure you’re using an 8 quart or larger cooker (you need to be sure everything fits below the fill line). If your slow cooker is smaller, halve the recipe.
Turn the cooker to saute and brown the meat, then drain it. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, and cover. Turn knob to ‘sealing’, and set the device on manual for 30 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release, then enjoy!
Storage
How long does chili last?
Chili will last about 3 – 4 days in the refrigerator or indefinitely in the freezer. Make sure to store in a well sealed container for best results.
Can Wendy’s chili recipe be frozen?
Yes, it can be frozen. This recipe makes a giant batch (it fills my 8 quart stock pot), but freezes beautifully, so we will often eat half for dinner and save the other half for another occasion.
To freeze, allow the chili to come to room temperature, then portion into freezer safe containers (making sure to leave a few inches of headroom), and freeze. It will last up to three months in an upright freezer, and as long as six months in a deep freezer before the flavor and texture begin to degrade.
It will continue to be safe to eat so long as it is consistently maintained at a temperature below freezing.
Tips and Tricks
⭐ You’ll want to stir the chili periodically, and get your spoon all the way to the bottom to make sure none of the chili is sticking to the bottom of the pot. If you find the chili is sticking, reduce heat further.
⭐ This recipe should be simmered, not boiled. Simmering is just a few small bubbles coming to the surface, versus boiling which is lots of rapid bubbles.
⭐ If you like it spicy, add some chipotle seasoning, chili powder, or a handful of fresh chopped jalapenos (or all of them!). I personally like to spice my personal bowl after it’s done cooking with a generous splash of Frank’s Red Hot sauce.
⭐ If your chili seems too thick or is sticking to the bottom, turn the heat down and stir in a cup of water at a time until it reaches the thickness you are looking for.
What to serve with Wendy’s Chili
To complete the meal, we like to enjoy our chili with a big salad (like this spinach salad with strawberries, or even an easy cobb salad). I always make a batch of cornbread muffins, and since there’s something special about chili and cinnamon rolls, we like to top things off with our cinnamon roll cookies!
Can you get Wendy’s Chili without beans?
One of the most frequent question is does Wendy’s chili have beans in it, and the unequivocal answer is yes.
Wendy’s chili is not available without beans (they’re an integral part of the recipe!). But if you’re looking for a delicious bean-free recipe, we’ve got you covered with our easy chili recipe without beans.
More chili recipes we love
- Chili Dog Casserole – This simple chili dog casserole is a fan favorite in our house. So much easier than making chili dogs one by one!
- Breakfast Chili – Chili for breakfast is a thing! And it’s a really really GOOD thing! After you try this you’ll wonder where chili for breakfast has been all your life.
- Chili Mac – Sing it with me… these are a few of my favorite things… woah. Yes. Chili + mac and cheese = happy mouth.
- Chili with NO Beans – Not so hot on the beans but still love chili? Then this fantastic bean free chili is just what you need. You won’t believe what some of the ingredients are, but you’ll love how they work together! Yum!
- Chili Pot Pie Recipe – Only a few steps and you’ve got a delicious and unique dinner recipe! I like to use a pre-made crust for quick prep.
- Turkey Chili – Trying to keep it light? This recipe is low in fat and calories, but high in flavor!
- Easy Chili Dogs – Classic and delicious. My dad asks for these when he visits!
- Pumpkin Chili – Get into the feel of fall with this hearty chili made special with the addition of pure pumpkin.
- Quick Chicken Chili – No time for an all day chili simmer? No sweat. This Last Minute Chicken Chili is ready in no time and perfect for a simple weeknight meal.
- Make sure to check out all our easy chili recipes!
More game day recipes we love
More recipes with ground beef
- Hamburger stroganoff
- Mexican skillet bake
- Cabbage roll stew
- Cheeseburger soup in a bread bowl
- Classic shepherd’s pie
- Make sure to check out all our ground beef recipe ideas!
More copycat recipes
- Frosted lemonade from Chick Fil A
- Pollo Tropical Curry Mustard Sauce
- Panera’s Broccoli Cheese Soup
- McDonald’s Shamrock Shake
- Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana
- Make sure to check out all our copycat recipes!
Wendy’s Chili Recipe Making Tools
- Farberware 16 quart covered stock pot – You can’t beat a good heavy stock pot.
- 7 quart Crock Pot – This is the slow cooker we got for our wedding in 2003 and it’s still kicking butt!
- Giant soup bowls – Because why would you eat chili out of a small bowl?
- McCormick mild chili seasoning – you could totally make your own chili seasoning, but if that’s not your game, I really love this one.
- Ranch style beans – I’m pretty sure this is the secret ingredient. I know the cans look like they were made in 1972, but I promise they’re delicious.
- 4 cup glass measuring cup – Everyone needs a good measuring cup!
- Stainless steel measuring spoons – I have a really bad habit of melting plastic measuring spoons, so we’ve recently purchased these stainless steel ones and they’ve been great.
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How to make Wendy’s Chili Recipe
Wendy's Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 4.5 pounds ground beef browned and drained
- 2 large yellow sweet onions, chopped
- 7 large green bell peppers chopped
- 4 celery ribs chopped
- 2 heaping tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 cans Ranch Style Beans NOT drained (15 ounce cans)
- 2 cans dark red kidney beans drained (15 ounce cans)
- 2 cans Original Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chili 10 ounce cans
- 2 cans stewed tomatoes 15 ounce cans
- 4 cans plain tomato sauce 15 ounce cans
- 2 packages McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning 1.25 ounce packages
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot.
- Simmer for at least three hours (I let mine cook all day long).
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make sure you’re using an 8 quart or larger cooker. If your slow cooker is smaller, halve the recipe.
- Add all ingredients (remember to brown and drain the meat first), cover, and cook on high for 4 – 6 hours or low for 8 – 10 hours.
- Make sure you’re using an 8 quart or larger cooker (you need to be sure everything fits below the fill line. If your slow cooker is smaller, halve the recipe.
- Turn the cooker to saute and brown the meat, then drain it. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, and cover. Turn knob to ‘sealing’, and set the device on manual for 30 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release, then enjoy!
Nutrition
ACK! But, Wait!!! Are you looking longingly at this recipe but thinking to yourself that you don’t eat beans? Never fear! I have the Ultimate Bean-Free Chili just for you! You’re welcome!!! (or if you’d rather have a classic homemade chili recipe, try this one!)
Wendy’s Chili – Easy Copycat Recipe
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Recipe FAQS
What kind of meat is in Wendy's Chili?
Wendy's chili contains ground beef.
Is there dairy in Wendy's chili?
There are no dairy ingredients in the recipe.
Is Wendy's chili bad for you?
This will depend on your diet, but the chili is high in protein, fiber, and is gluten free.
Original images: (yes, these are embarrassing!)
11/2010
Marijke Vroomen-Durning says
I made this yesterday, with some slight variations (no Ranch style beans here), but it was still very tasty and very similar to the Wendy's chili. This recipe is a keeper. THanks.
Anonymous says
Could you use a roast instead of hamburger meat? If so would you need to cook the roast first or could you throw all ingredients in the crock pot together?
Anonymous says
This recipe is delicious. And it does taste very much like Wendy's chili. Our family's favorite dish. Definitely 5⭐..
Jelena says
Hi April,
I came across this recipe on Pinterest and was SO happy to have found it cause I LOVE Wendy's chili! I made it the other day and it tastes JUST like the real thing!!!
I actually reviewed it on my blog, so feel free to check it out at http://www.2girlsandapin.com/2-girls-and-a-pin-wendys-chili/
Thank you SO much for this awesome recipe!
Take care,
Jelena
Jelena says
Hi April,
Just wanted to check if you got my email?
I sent you one yesterday, just to make sure we understand what you wanted us to do about the post.
Thanks,
Jelena
2girlsandapin
Anonymous says
This was awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. Can't wait to make it again. So Good!!!
Debbie Laudone says
Made this tonight. YUM! I cut the recipe in half, since it was just 3 hungry adults, and there was still PLENTY! I will definitely be making this again. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
Can you please add a "Pin it" button to your blog? Thank you!
Tracie Neeley says
Do you add any water to this?
MommyNamedApril says
no
Tracie Neeley says
I am getting ready to make this and was wondering if I need to add the seasoning mix to the meat after it is cooked or do I just dump the packets into the pot? Thanks!!
MommyNamedApril says
Into the pot
Tracie Neeley says
Thanks. Do I cover the pot while the chili simmers all day?
Tracie Neeley says
Thanks. Do I cover the pot while the chili simmers all day?
Anonymous says
Do I cover the pot while the chili simmers all day?
Anonymous says
Wendy's chili is disgusting. They cook burgers all day long, and when they are too overdone to serve, they throw the patties in a plastic pan and freeze all the patties at the end of the night. A few days later they thaw the burger meat out, and add it to a big thing of beans and "chili mix". Definitely better off making your own chili.
Alyssa says
I've made this a couple times and it's delicious! I too love Wendy's Chili, and this is spot on! Maybe even better.
I half the recipe. I use 2 lbs of ground turkey and 2 or 3 peppers depending on what I have. The rest is easy to figure out.
Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous says
Western-style beans count as Ranch beans; it just means kidney or red beans with some semi-spicy chili-type seasoning sauce already on them. You don't drain or rinse them because you want to keep the sauce. So just look for beans that have a chili-style sauce or seasoning already on them.
Anonymous says
Ranch beans are not quite the same as Chili beans nor like baked or barbeque beans. They definitely don't taste at all like Ranch dressing. If you were going to substitute something, chili beans are probably the closest, but Ranch beans do have a bit more barbeque flavor. I think maybe they have a bit of smoke flavoring?
Karlita_cavegirl30 says
Do you simmer this with the lid on or off??
Anonymous says
Can this be made in the oven?
Modern Grace says
It is so hard to find this recipe of your's by doing a search now. Other people have copied the picture of the chili and come up with their own recipe. I'm definitely printing this today!
Cindy Kinzel says
seems like alot of green pepper , green pepper is very strong i can't believe u use 7 of them wow!
Anonymous says
the wendys recipe is old hamburger patties(boiled and chopped) a 10lb can of kidney beans, a 10lb can of chili beans, a 5lb bag of frozen veggies(onions, green peppers and celery) a lg packet of chili seasoning, a 10 lb can of chopped tomatoes, a can of tomato sauce and 1-2 cans of water. cover and simmer for 3-4 hours. I worked for Wendy's for 7 years and this is how we make it every morning.
Anonymous says
What size can tomato sauce? What size cans of water? Do you remember weight of "large" packet chili seasoning? Thanks for sharing the "real thing"!