Just Like Wendy's Chili

4.8
(897)

After trying several Wendy's chili recipe clones and adjusting them to my tastes, I've concocted what I think is the best. Serve it topped with finely diced white onions and/or shredded cheese. Enjoy!

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A bowl of homemade Wendy's chili, topped with shredded cheese and onions
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 35 mins
Servings:
10
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 10 servings

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 pounds ground beef

  • 2 stalks celery, chopped

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped

  • 3 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes

  • 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as RO*TEL)

  • 1 cup water

  • 2 (1.25 ounce) packages chili seasoning (such as McCormick® Mild Chili Seasoning Mix)

  • 1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained

  • 1 (14 ounce) can pinto beans, undrained

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar, or more to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make Wendy's chili

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Press ground beef into the hot oil to form one large patty; let the bottom brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

    A large patty of ground beef browning in a large pot

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Stir and break browned beef into crumbles. Continue to cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes longer.

    A large pot with browned ground beef

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Stir celery, onion, and bell pepper into beef and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

    A large pot with cooked ground beef, chopped celery, onion, and bell pepper

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Pour in stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and water.

    A large pot with seasoned ground beef topped with stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and water

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Break apart large chunks of stewed tomatoes.

    A large pot of beef-tomato chili

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Stir in chili seasoning. Stir in kidney and pinto beans. Season with salt and pepper.

    A wooden spoon stirring a large pot of beef and bean chili

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.

    A large simmered pot of Wendy's chili

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Mix vinegar into chili just before serving.

    A bowl of homemade Wendy's chili, topped with shredded cheese and onions

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tips

To increase the heat, feel free to add cayenne pepper.

The original Wendy's chili has more beans in it, so you could double the amount above if you prefer that style.

2,138 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

326 Calories
15g Fat
29g Carbs
23g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 326
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 1521mg 66%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 10%
Dietary Fiber 8g 28%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 23g 45%
Vitamin C 26mg 29%
Calcium 97mg 7%
Iron 5mg 29%
Potassium 762mg 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.