Square Patties’ Secret Soulmate: The Chili That’ll Make You Forget You’re Not At Wendy’s

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Get ready to bring the iconic taste of Wendy’s chili right into your own kitchen! This copycat recipe captures all the hearty, comforting flavors of the fast-food favorite, but with the satisfaction of homemade goodness.

As a long-time fan of Wendy’s chili, I’ve always been curious about the secret behind its rich, complex flavor. After much experimentation, I think I’ve cracked the code, and I’m excited to share this recipe with you.

This image shows white vinegar being added to the chili just before serving, giving the dish a tangy and savory finish for a classic Wendy’s chili flavor.

What makes this chili special is its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The combination of ground beef, beans, and a variety of vegetables creates a chunky, satisfying stew that’s bursting with savory goodness. The blend of spices, including chili powder, cumin, and a hint of sugar, gives it that signature Wendy’s taste we all know and love.

As it simmers on the stove, the aroma that fills your kitchen is simply irresistible – a tantalizing mix of spices, tomatoes, and beef that’ll have your mouth watering long before it’s ready to serve.

This chili pairs perfectly with a side of cornbread and a refreshing Lemon Sour for the ultimate comfort food experience.

With fall just around the corner, this hearty chili is the perfect way to warm up on those crisp autumn evenings.

I’d love to hear about your Wendy’s chili adventures! Have you added any unique ingredients or serving suggestions?

This image shows a bowl of hearty Wendy’s chili, filled with ground beef, beans, and tomatoes, and topped with a spoon for serving, ready to enjoy as a comforting and flavorful meal.

Wendy’s Chili Recipe

Wendy's chili recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. This comforting, slow-cooked chili is perfect for cozy meals, delivering a rich, savory taste reminiscent of the original.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Condiments
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people
Calories 326 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Can Opener
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's knife
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cans stewed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar, or more to taste
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 can pinto beans, undrained
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 can kidney beans, undrained
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as RO*TEL)
  • 1 cup water
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 olive oil
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 chili seasoning (like McCormick® Mild Chili Seasoning Mix)
  • 2 lbs ground beef

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
    This image shows olive oil heating in a large pot, getting ready to brown the ground beef for Wendy's chili recipe. The oil is gently shimmering over medium-high heat.
  • Add the ground beef, pressing it down to create a large patty.
    This image shows ground beef pressed into the bottom of the pot as it browns, forming a large patty for Wendy’s chili. The beef is starting to develop a rich brown color.
  • Let it brown on the bottom for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Stir, breaking the beef into crumbles, and cook until fully browned, about 5 minutes more.
    This image shows the ground beef being broken into small crumbles as it cooks and fully browns, creating the perfect base for the chili.
  • Add the celery, onion, and bell pepper, cooking until the onion turns translucent, roughly 5 minutes.
    This image shows chopped onions, celery, and green bell peppers cooking in the pot, turning soft and translucent to add flavor to Wendy’s chili.
  • Pour in the stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and water, breaking up any large tomato pieces.
  • Mix in the chili seasoning, followed by the kidney and pinto beans.
    This image shows chili seasoning, kidney beans, and pinto beans being mixed into the pot, creating the rich and hearty flavor of Wendy’s chili.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the chili simmer for 1 hour.
    This image shows the chili simmering gently in the pot, with bubbles rising as the flavors deepen over time for Wendy’s chili.
  • Just before serving, stir in the vinegar.
    This image shows white vinegar being added to the chili just before serving, giving the dish a tangy and savory finish for a classic Wendy’s chili flavor.

Notes

  • You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the chili seasoning.
  • If you prefer a chunkier texture, use whole canned tomatoes and break them up slightly.
  • Leftover chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.

Nutrition Info:

NutritionValue
Calories326 kcal
Carbohydrates29 g
Protein23 g
 Vitamin C26 mg
Iron5 mg
Sugar8 g
Calcium97 mg

Helpful Tips For You!

Tip 1: Incorporate a tablespoon of tomato paste and a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce when you add the tomatoes. These ingredients will intensify the savory flavors and add complexity to the chili.

Tip 2: Instead of using pre-made chili seasoning, create a custom blend using different types of chili powders such as ancho, chipotle, and regular chili powder. This will give the chili a more nuanced and authentic flavor profile.

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