Copycat Wendy’s Chili Recipe


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If you love the taste of Wendy’s chili, you can now recreate this masterpiece in the comfort of your own kitchen with this Copycat Wendy’s Chili Recipe. Everything from the beans and veggies to the spices is there, making this one of the best copycat recipes out there.

I have several more copycat recipes too. You should also check out my Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole, Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Sweet Pork, and Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Spaghetti (Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Copycat).

Close up of wendy's style chili on a wooden spoon.
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What makes copycat Wendy’s Chili so good?

There’s something about Wendy’s chili that we can all agree is simply irresistibly delicious. All the spices, chunks of bell peppers, green chilies, and chunks of their hamburger patties make this hearty chili a worthwhile purchase every time.

When you’re looking to have this favorite chili on demand, use this easy chili recipe to have Wendy’s chili any day and time. (Yes, even for breakfast.) It’s so good, you’ll want to make a double batch.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for wendy's chili on a table.
  • Ground Beef: You’ll notice that Wendy’s chili has actual chunks of their hamburger patties, but for this Wendy’s copycat chili recipe, you’ll use fresh ground beef.
  • Tomatoes: Canned tomatoes and tomato paste are used to create part of the flavorful base and hearty texture.
  • Beans: A host of beans are needed to make this a classic copycat of Wendy’s chili recipe. One can each of pinto beans and red kidney beans are drained and rinsed.
  • Vegetables: Fire roasted green chiles and diced celery, white onion, and chopped green bell pepper encompass both the look and flavor of Wendy’s chili.
  • Seasonings: Minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, salt, and black pepper seal the deal on this easy chili recipe.

Step-by-Step Directions

Four images showing how to make wendy's copycat chili in a slow cooker.

Step One – Place the fresh ground beef into a nonstick skillet.

Step Two – Cook beef over medium high heat until brown and no longer pink.

Step Three – Drain any excess fat and transfer the cooked ground beef to a 6 quart slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients.

Step Four – Stir, cover, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Serve and enjoy!

wendy's style chili in a slow cooker, close up.

How to serve

  • Imagine all the fixings provided by Wendy’s. They usually serve the chili with saltine crackers, cheese, and hot sauce.
  • Since you’d be serving this delicious chili at home, you can also add your favorite toppings such as additional shredded cheese, diced onion, sour cream, cooked bacon, and diced green onions.
  • You can also serve this copycat Wendy’s chili on top of hot dogs to make yummy chili dogs or as a topping for nachos.
chili in white paper cups.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Do I have to brown the ground beef first?

This can be made without browning the meat first. You will also have to skim out the fat after the cooking time is up. You can also use ground turkey.

How do I store the leftover chili?

To store the chili, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To freeze, let the chili cool completely and store it in a freezer safe airtight container for up to 3 months.

What is the best way to reheat this Wendy’s chili copycat recipe?

To reheat the chili, warm single servings in the microwave, or to reheat a larger batch, reheat on the stove top in a large pot over medium low heat. Allow the frozen chili to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Can I add other beans to this a thicker chili recipe?

Doing so wouldn’t necessarily keep it a copycat recipe; however, you can add any type of beans you prefer. Black beans or ranch style beans make a great addition.

How can I make this chili spicy?

You can add a few shakes of cayenne pepper, chopped jalapeno peppers (with the seeds), or extra hot sauce should do the trick.

How do I make this a hearty meal?

In addition to adding more to the chili recipe like diced tomatoes, green bell peppers, or stewed tomatoes, serve it alongside tortilla chips or Fritos scoops.

copycat wendy's chili on a spoon.

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copycat wendy's chili on a spoon.

Slow Cooker Copycat Wendy’s Chili Recipe

5 from 9 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
The best fast food chili around can now be made right at home in your slow cooker.

Ingredients  

  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium sized onion, diced
  • 2 celery ribs, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, deseeded and chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 30 oz. diced tomatoes –, two 15-oz.cans
  • 30 oz. tomato sauce, two 15-oz. cans
  • 8 oz. green chilies, two 4-oz. cans
  • 15 oz. canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 30 oz. canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup dark chili powder, (regular works fine too)
  • Sour Cream and Shredded Cheddar for Topping, optional

Instructions 

  • Heat a medium sized nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and brown until no longer pink. Drain the meat to remove excess fat. Transfer the cooked ground beef to a 6 quart slow cooker.
  • To the slow cooker, add the rest of the ingredients and stir.
  • Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
  • Serve hot, top with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar. Enjoy!

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

  • To Store the chili, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To freeze, let the chili cool completely and store in a freezer safe airtight container for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat the chili, warm single servings in the microwave, or to reheat a larger batch, reheat on the stove top over medium low heat.
  • Allow the frozen chili to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • This can be made without browning the meat first. You will also have to skim out the fat after the cooking time is up. You can also use ground turkey.

Nutrition

Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 1381mg | Potassium: 1535mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 2878IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 8mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Rating




49 Comments

  1. Kelly Royal says:

    5 stars
    Really enjoyed this chili recipe tonight for dinner! Nice and saucy, just the way I like my chili! Very easy to put together. Nice to come home from running some errands and dinner is ready!

  2. Zach says:

    5 stars
    Made this for our weekly Sunday night dinner, and it was awesome! I have another slow-cooker chili recipe Iโ€™ve used for a few years, but it always felt as if it was missing something. Figured Iโ€™d try a new recipe, and my family and I loved it! Perfect blend of ingredients. I did add an extra pound of ground beef (to make 3 lbs.) and maybe a little extra garlic, but everything else was as-is. Delicious! Canโ€™t wait to make it again in the fall.

  3. Nancy M says:

    5 stars
    I made the copycat recipe for Wendyโ€™s chili tonight for my husband and I for dinner and I must say it was another fantastic meal. I halved the recipe and still had leftovers, even after we had seconds.

  4. Janet says:

    5 stars
    I cut the recipe in half because it’s just my son and me. Otherwise, I followed it exactly and it came out great! We both loved it – and enjoyed the leftovers! I had several recipes to choose from, but this one seemed right to me. Thank you for the great recipe!

  5. Jill Curry says:

    It is true that Wendyโ€™s chops up burgers they did not sell for their chili meat. My 16 year old son worked there this summer and revealed this (oddity) to me.

    1. Shawn says:

      If you think of it from a business standpoint, it’s pretty smart. Utilizing good meat, instead of throwing it away. I know a lot of grocery store deli’s will utilize the chicken that would normally get thrown out to make salads, etc.

      1. Dave B says:

        I’d worked in a grocery store deli dept and the deli saved the ends of cold cuts and cheeses and sell then in a bulk pack.

      2. Marv says:

        My daughter worked at Wendyโ€™s while in high school
        And she said the same thing
        Leftover burgers were chopped up and put in it the chili

    2. Anonymous says:

      Sounds like a great idea! Those grilled burgers adding more tast to Chilli! I’ll remember this tip!

  6. Christine Guerriero says:

    They have this delivered, pre-prepared. Then they simmer it for the day. It’s delicious, but they do not make it at the restaurant.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, times have changed since I wrote this blog post.

  7. Tins says:

    An this be cooked on the stove instead of the crockpot?

    1. Gina says:

      5 stars
      Yes. The longer is simmers, the better. You may have to add liquid as it cooks.

  8. Kathy C. says:

    5 stars
    I havenโ€™t had Wendyโ€™s Chili in years but do recall how much I enjoyed their chili with a side Frosty! Those fast food days are gone, but this chili recipe made up for it. It was so good! Whole Pot was polished off same day. I want to make it in my new Instant Pot but not sure how to convert cooking times.

  9. Kathy C. says:

    Can I use my instant pot for this recipe? I made it in my slow cooker (loved it!) but got an IP for Christmas and love using it. I am new to the IP community so not sure how to convert your recipe. Family asking fir this chili again.

    1. PATRICK GULA says:

      LOOK UP A N IP CHILI RECIPE ON THE WEB AND USE THAT AS A GUIDE

  10. Lisa says:

    Can you cook this 4 hrs on high?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! Chili does great for 4 hours on high.

      1. Viv says:

        I use vegetable juice ( V8 or store brand fir my liquid and I use rotel ( chopped, canned tomatoes with green chiliโ€™s) and a package of fry taco seasoning instead of chiliโ€™s. Thus makes hearty chili and is not to spicy.