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Wendy's Chili Recipe (Copycat)

Wendy’s Chili Recipe (Copycat)

Wendy’s Chili Recipe (Copycat) is a comforting and hearty dish that brings the warmth of home-cooked meals to your table. This delightful chili combines lean ground beef with a robust mix of beans and tomatoes, seasoned perfectly to create a rich flavor profile that’s sure to please everyone. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or looking for a satisfying meal on a chilly evening, this recipe is both easy to prepare and incredibly versatile. You can cook it on the stovetop for quick preparation or let it simmer slowly in a slow cooker for deep, developed flavors. Plus, it’s an excellent option for leftovers, making it perfect for meal prep or batch cooking.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 1 stalk celery (diced)
  • 1 small green pepper (chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 10 oz. Rotel (tomatoes with green chilies)
  • 28 oz. stewed tomatoes
  • 14 oz. kidney beans (do not drain)
  • 14 oz. pinto beans (do not drain)
  • 14 oz. tomato sauce
  • 1.25 oz. dry chili seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Instructions

  1. In a large stock pot, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, diced celery, and chopped green pepper. Cook until the beef is browned (about 8-10 minutes). Season with salt and black pepper.
  2. Stir in the canned Rotel, stewed tomatoes, undrained kidney and pinto beans, tomato sauce, and dry chili seasoning. Mix well.
  3. Reduce heat to low and cover the pot, allowing the chili to simmer for one hour.
  4. After simmering, stir in one tablespoon of white vinegar for added tanginess.
  5. Serve hot, optionally topped with shredded cheese or sour cream.
  • Author: Stephanie
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 830mg
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: For added heat, consider mixing in cayenne pepper or jalapeños. Substitute ground beef with lentils or textured vegetable protein (TVP) for a vegetarian version. Simmering longer than an hour enhances flavor development.