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Copycat Wendy’s Chili

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Copycat Wendy’s Chili is just like the one at the fast-food restaurant, and it’s perfect for those cooler nights! It is thick, hearty, and full of ground beef, beans, and tomatoes – it really hits the spot!

copycat wendy's chili in bowl

Wendy’s Chili

Oh, chili! A constant favorite of mine, especially Chili – Like Wendy’s. It not only tastes good and fills you up, but it’s also handy if you’re a mom with picky eaters in the house.

Personally, this is one way I can get a bunch of veggies into my family without much complaint. However, my youngest son, who swears he “doesn’t like tomatoes,” will devour this Wendy’s Copycat Chili! That’s a definite score in my book! Especially when you see how tomato-packed this chili is. It’s almost a miracle!! Though I’m sure, you’ll love it regardless of your loved ones’ pickiness.

By the way, it’s worth a mention that this Wendy’s Chili recipe is award-winning. I know that it may be hard to believe a fast food copycat recipe could be so good, but trust me, it’s incredible! It has won numerous chili cook-offs, and people beg for the recipe!! 

chili on ladle scooped out of pot

Wendy’s Chili Recipe: Ingredients & Utensils

To make chili like Wendy’s does, you’ll need …

Ingredients

  • Ground beef, tomato juice, tomato sauce: These ingredients form the tasty base of your chili.
  • Diced tomatoes, celery, green pepper, onion: The veggies that make this chili really “pop”!
  • Chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, white sugar, dried oregano: This exact combination of spices will give you a flavorful chili like Wendy’s!
  • Pinto beans, kidney beans: Classic chili beans. A chili just doesn’t feel right without them.
  • Your choice of toppings: Think bacon, shredded cheese, Frito’s corn chips, sour cream, hot sauce, crackers, black olives, green onions … the list goes on and on. Bring out your faves!

Utensils & Other Items:

  • knife and cutting board: to prep the veggies
  • measuring spoons and cups: to get the measurements and taste just right.
  • soup pot: For browning the ground beef and prepping the rest of the chili.
  • meat chopper or wooden spoon: for browing and crumbling the beef
  • spatula or spoon: for stirring the chili.
  • ladle: for serving.

Dietary note: Wendy’s Chili is actually gluten-free, and this recipe is also making this a fantastic meal when you have folks in the family with special dietary needs. Of course, be sure to always read the nutrition facts on all your ingredients to ensure no wheat products have made it in. (You can never be too sure.)

pot of chili

Wendy’s Chili Recipe: FAQs

Do you really need that much chili powder?

This is probably the number one question I’m asked! A quarter of a cup of chili powder may sound like a lot, but you will need a bunch to counteract the amount of tomatoes in this recipe. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder to your family’s personal taste.

How long does it take to make Chili like Wendy’s?

It will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Then, you’ll take 15 minutes to prep the chili and an hour and a half to cook it.

How many servings does this Wendy’s Chili recipe make?

About ten servings, give or take, depending on portion size. More than enough to feed your family, though, I imagine!!

What temperature should I use/settings should I use when cooking it?

It’ll vary depending on what kind of soup pot/appliance you use, but overall you’ll want to ensure your chili is just simmering. If the heat is too high, a lot of the water will evaporate, and it won’t taste quite like Wendy’s chili.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Brown the ground beef and then combine all of the soup ingredients in your crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Note, your chili will not get as thick since the liquid can’t evaporate away making it thicker – but it’ll still be just as delicious!

looking down into a bowl of chili garnished with cheese and green onions

Other recipes you may enjoy

Click HERE to pin this recipe!
copycat wendy's chili in bowl

Chili – Like Wendy’s

Jamie Sherman
This Copycat Wendy’s Chili is just like the one at the fast-food restaurant, and it's perfect for those cooler nights! Thick, hearty, and full of ground beef, beans, and tomatoes – it really hits the spot!
4.57 from 81 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 376 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 48 ounce tomato juice
  • 29 ounce tomato sauce
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped green pepper
  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz.
  • 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained 15 oz.
  • 1 can pinto beans, drained 15 oz.
  • Your choice of toppings optional

Instructions
 

  • In a large soup pot, cook and crumble the beef over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
  • Return meat to the pan and place all remaining ingredients, except toppings, in the soup pot, stir to combine.
  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Stir every 15-20 minutes.
  • Serve hot with your choice of toppings!

Notes

Topping ideas

  • crackers, Fritos corn chips, cheese, sour cream, green onions, chopped white onions, jalapeno slices, crushed red pepper, crumbled cornbread, avocado slices, bacon, tomatoes, black olives, cilantro, lime wedges, Corn Nuts, hot sauce, cooked elbow macaroni, or a few dark chocolate chips.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

  • Yes, you can! Brown the ground beef and then combine all of the soup ingredients in your crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Note, your chili will not get as thick since the liquid can't evaporate away making it thicker – but it'll still be just as delicious!

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 23gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 920mgPotassium: 1276mgFiber: 9gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 2838IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 6mg

Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on June 15, 2012. Updated on February 17, 2022.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Evelyn

    Oh my! Its like a 100 degrees outside but all I can think about is making your chili:) LOL This does so look good and I agree, you just have to have cornbread with it. Thanks for sharing a sweet memory and a very delicious recipe at Freedom Fridays. Loving the way you share your "I saw it on Pinterest Fridays".

    Reply

    • Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

      It's even good for you with all the veggies and tomato juice/sauce! This is my absolute favorite way to make chili … I gave this recipe to a friend of mine, and she even won first place in a Chili Cook-Off with this recipe 🙂

      Reply

  8. Carolina HeartStrings

    Oh I love the dirty dog water. Too funny! Your chili looks fantastic to me. YUM! Come and visit us today to see what wonderful picnic salad we have and be sure to come back on Friday. We are giving away flip flops. You will want a pair of these.

    Reply

  9. Miz Helen

    This is a great Chili recipe, be sure and bring it back in October for The Texas Star Chili Cook Off.
    Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  16. Miz Helen

    Hi Jamie,
    I love Wendy's Chili and I know your Chili will be delicious, can't wait to try it. I Pinned your post and Thank You so much for sharing your great Chili with The Texas Star Chili Cook Off 2012.
    Good Luck!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  21. Unknown

    I made this Chili this week. I have to just say, after searching for a great Chili recipe and making several and eliminating those, this was AMAZING!! I made it for a family dinner with my grown children and their children. The chili is bursting with flavor and yet not spicy hot. My 16 mos Grandson loved it. My 5 yr old Grand daughter had to inspect the individual componants before eating two bowls and the 3 yr old just looked at it and turned up her nose. There is never a night when I can win

    Reply

  26. Michelle Nahom

    I love chili too! I try all sorts of new recipes. That chili with the chocolate in it so far is my favorite. I think it's called Cincinnati Chili. I'm always game to try something new!! Can't wait to try yours! Happy SITS Day!

    Reply

  29. Sheila Skillingstead

    For a recipe that size I usually use 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. Thanks for the memories of your grandma's chili and the smell. It was my grandpa and fried apple pie that I loved to smell–and eat. Enjoy your SITS Day.

    Reply

  31. Steph Seibert

    Oh YUM!! I have a chili cook-off coming up this Sunday and was looking for a recipe… I think I may have found it! My dad's recipe always tastes better the second day (I think it gets a little thicker and the flavors are really fussed at that point) Would you suggest this chilli be made the day of or the day before the cook-off? Thanks for sharing and Happy SITS Day!

    Reply

  35. Mocadeaux

    There is no better topping for chili than Fritos! My brother has a chili cook-off at his Super Bowl party every year. I might just have to borrow this recipe for my entry! Happy SITS Day!

    Reply

  39. Allison Sprague

    First thank you you are awsome.I tried to save the chili recipie button it told me to wait.Do you have a cookbook? I have to get more protein and I love Wendy's chili yrs.round.Jami again thank you.I have many many recipies I would love to share.xo

    Reply

    • Jamie

      Yes, you read it right! You will need that much to counteract all of the tomato products! I know it sounds like a lot, but I assure you its not a typo! 🙂

      Reply

  46. L8dyscorpio

    I have never made Chili before and I found your recipe on line, because my Apartment Managers were having a Chili Cook Off and boy did it go over good…I won! Thank you for another family dinner recipe 🙂

    Reply

  48. EZPZ Mealz

    My husband and I joke that everyone swears their chili is the best. My guess is that yours really is. I will probably have to make it for the next chili cook off I go to.

    Reply

  51. Unknown

    This is by far the best chili I've tried. I had my 13 year old son make it and it was amazing. It was his first time cooking and he was very proud. Thanks for a great recipe!!

    Reply
4.57 from 81 votes (81 ratings without comment)

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Love Bakes Good Cakes delivers delicious and simple family-friendly meals. Find everything from healthier recipes to over the top desserts!