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    Home » Recipes » Gourmet Chili

    Wendy's Copycat Chili

    Published on September 12, 2019 - Updated on December 28, 2022 by Chef Rodney - 1 Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    copycat wendy's chili
    This Wendy's Copycat Chili recipe is one of the easiest to make chili recipes you will find on this site. A great copycat recipe.
     
    Wendy's Copycat Chili

    The wife and I do not eat fast food very often. Sure when we were teenagers we ate fast food from all the big restaurant chains but not so much now. So why Wendy's Copycat Chili?

    Well for two reasons. The first is that I love making copycat recipes. And secondly, I love a good chili. And the chili from Wendy's is pretty dang good. Almost as good as some of my Gourmet Chili Recipes.

    Cooking Beef for Wendy's Copycat Chili

    This Chili recipe is a little different than my other Chili recipes in that it has no onions or any fresh peppers with the exception of the canned Green Chili Peppers. I'm trying to remember the last time I had a chili without onions in it?

    Simmering Chili for Wendy's Copycat Chili

    When I was making this recipe, my wife immediately asked what that unique "smell" was. It was either the roasted diced tomatoes or the smoked paprika.

    If you've never tasted smoked paprika before, you might be in for a surprise. Very different than regular paprika. Don't worry though, if you don't have smoked paprika on hand, don't fret, just use regular paprika. It won't change the overall flavor that much.

    Wendy's Copycat Chili

    Oh and if you don't have any Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes available, just use the regular kind. I will change the flavor just a bit but it will still be delicious.

    If you've never been to Wendy's or if you have never tried their delicious Chili, check this Picture of Wendy's Chili out. It kind of looks just like this one doesn't it?

    ⭐ Copycat Rating

    Since the goal of a Copycat Recipe is for it to taste exactly like the original, it's only natural to rate this recipe against the original. This Copycat recipe rates a solid 8 out of 10 in my opinion.

    🐄 How to Handle Raw Beef

    Thaw raw ground beef on a plate on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator, to avoid dripping onto other foods.
    Keep raw and ready-to-eat meats separate.
    Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw ground beef. Wash cutting boards, bowls, and utensils used to prepare raw ground beef with hot soapy water and rinse well.
    Use separate plates to carry raw ground beef patties to the cooking area and cooked patties to the serving area.
    Use a Thermometer to ensure Ground Beef Reaches the Safely Cooked Internal Temperature of 160°F.

    For more great recipes with Pinto Beans, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • Chili Con Carne
    • Navajo Tacos
    • Copycat Hard Rock Cafe BBQ Baked Beans
    • Lemon Wine Chili

    📋 What Ingredients do I need

    You will need the following ingredients to make this copycat chili recipe from Wendy's (see recipe card for quantities): Lean Ground Beef, Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Tomato Paste, Pinto Beans, Red Kidney Beans, Diced Tomatoes, Green Chilies, Onion Powder, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes and Water.

    🥣 How to Make Wendy's Copycat Chili

    In a large pot over medium-high heat add ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until browned.
    Drain drippings if necessary. Add remaining ingredients.
    Bring to a boil, and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes.

    Wendy's Copycat Chili

    Wendy's Copycat Chili

    This Wendy's Copycat Chili recipe is one of the easiest to make chili recipes you will find on this site. A great copycat recipe.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 Bowls
    Calories 293 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, divided
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • 12 oz Tomato Paste
    • 15 oz Pinto Beans, rinsed and drained
    • 15 oz Red Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
    • 15 oz Diced Tomatoes, fire-roasted with garlic
    • 8 oz Green Chilies, diced
    • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
    • 1 Cup Water
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    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot over medium-high heat add ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until browned.
    • Drain drippings if necessary. Add remaining ingredients.
    • Bring to a boil, and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 25gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 995mgPotassium: 1284mgFiber: 13gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1607IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 7mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    More Gourmet Chili Recipes

    • Copycat Dairy Queen Chili Dog Sauce
    • Diabetic Slow Cooker White Chili
    • Lisa’s Chili Verde
    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
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    Reader Interactions

    1 Comment

    1. Kathy

      December 29, 2022 at 4:27 pm

      Love this chili. I made it one night for my family when it was a snowy day and they just loved it. A good comfort food. A keeper for me.

      Reply

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