Wendy's Chili Recipe

4.98 from 227 votes

This simple Wendy's Chili Recipe is easy to make and the best copycat recipe. The entire family will love this easy copycat chili recipe.

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Total Time50

Course: Chilis, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Carrie Barnard

Cost: $23.60 Recipe, $1.97 Per Serving

Ingredients

2 lbs Ground Beef
2 cans Pinto Beans 15 oz. each, not drained
2 cans Kidney Beans 15 oz. each, not drained
3 Stalks Celery Diced
1 Green Bell Pepper Diced
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 cans Tomato Sauce (15 oz. each)
2 cans Diced Tomatoes (15 oz. each)
¼ cup Chili Powder
1 Tbsp Cumin
2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Pepper
2 cups Cheddar Cheese for serving
Saltine Crackers for serving

Instructions

In a large stock pot, brown 2 pounds ground beef over medium?high heat until it is no longer pink. Halfway through cooking, add 3 stalks diced celery and 1 green bell pepper diced and cook until they are tender with the beef. Drain off any excess grease.
Add 2 cans pinto beans (15 oz. each, not drained) and 2 cans kidney beans (15 oz. each, not drained) directly to the pot with the cooked beef and vegetables. Pour in 2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz. each) and 2 cans diced tomatoes (15 oz. each) to the pot. Stir in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper until everything is well combined.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and cover and simmer for approximately 30 minutes to combine all the flavors.
Once the chili is done simmering, serve it hot topped with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and enjoy with saltine crackers on the side if desired.

Video

Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5-7 days.

Variation Ideas

My mom always made the best chili. So I am always trying to figure out what her secret ingredient to make the best chili. Here are some of the variations I have tried:

Kidney Beans - I usually tend to use light kidney beans but have also used the dark kidney beans.

Pinto Beans - You can use chili beans instead of pinto beans.

Cayenne Pepper - Need a little kick to your chili, mix in some cayenne pepper. We usually do a small amount so the kids will still enjoy the chili.

Add some bacon - Everything is better with some bacon. Mix some in to make it even more of a hearty chili. I usually add in cooked bacon so it's still crispy.

Vegetables - Do you have some vegetables that need to be cooked? Throw them in this chili to change the texture of the chili and to make it healthier.

Nutrition