Wendy’s copycat chili is an homage to a classic fast food favorite, with its rich and hearty flavor that satisfies even the biggest appetites. While it may be convenient to stop by a Wendy’s restaurant and pick up a cup of this savory stew, it’s also easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients.
One of the things that sets Wendy’s chili apart from other fast food chili is the use of whole beans. Many fast food chains use ground or mashed beans in their chili, but Wendy’s uses whole kidney beans that are cooked until they are tender and flavorful. This gives Wendy’s chili a more authentic and hearty texture, and makes it a favorite among chili lovers everywhere.
Here’s a Recipe for Homemade Wendy’s Chili
This is what you’ll need to make this copycat recipe:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How To Make It
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned, stirring occasionally to break it up into small pieces.
Add the onion and bell pepper to the pot and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve the chili hot, garnished with your choice of toppings such as shredded cheese, diced onions, and sour cream.
Ideas for Chili Toppings
Chili is great by itself, but is better with a few toppings.
- Shredded cheese
- Diced onions
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced avocados
This recipe makes about 6 servings of Wendy’s chili, which is perfect for a hearty meal on a cold day or for game day gatherings. The combination of ground beef, beans, and vegetables creates a filling and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone. The spices add just the right amount of heat, while the tomato paste and diced tomatoes give the chili a rich and savory taste.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned, stirring occasionally to break it up into small pieces.
- Add the onion and bell pepper to the pot and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve the chili hot, garnished with your choice of toppings such as shredded cheese, diced onions, and sour cream.
Nutrition
Is Wendy’s Chili Gluten-Free?
Does Wendy’s Chili Have Gluten? Wendy’s chili does not contain any ingredients that contain gluten. However, Wendy’s cannot guarantee that their food is completely free of gluten as there is a risk of cross-contamination in their restaurants. If you have a severe gluten intolerance, it is always best to speak with a member of the Wendy’s team before ordering.
Wendy’s Chili: A Healthy Option?
While Wendy’s chili is certainly a delicious and satisfying choice, it’s important to note that it is not the healthiest option on the menu. One serving of Wendy’s chili (about 1 cup) contains about 240 calories, with 9 grams of fat and 27 grams of protein. This makes it a good source of protein, but it is also high in sodium and has a significant amount of saturated fat.
