Wendy’s Chili (Copycat)

Copycat Wendy’s Chili is a simple recipe with easy to find ingredients. It’s delicious and a great match for the Fast Food staple.

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By: Diana Posted: 6/7/21 Updated: 10/3/23

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Make this copycat Wendy’s Chili recipe at home, the whole family will love it. It’s warm, meaty, and perfectly seasoned to mimic your favorite fast food chili!

Wendy's Chili served in a white bowl with saltines, sour cream and shredded cheese.

If you love a nice bowl of Wendy’s chili, you are going to be amazed at how much this recipe tastes just like it. Like chili at Wendy’s, this chili is packed with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and the perfect blend of spices. Your house is going to smell so good while this is simmering on the stove.

Make extra and freeze some for later! Store it in individual serving sizes, and you can enjoy a bowl of chili just as fast as hitting a drive through!

If you like copycat restaurant recipes, you will want to try my Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe and my Chick-Fil-A Crispy Chicken Sandwich recipe too.

Why You Will Love This Wendy’s Chili Recipe

This is a stovetop recipe. No extra appliances are needed to create this flavorful chili. We’ll simmer it slowly for about 45 minutes to really blend all of the flavors together.

Chili is a filling and economical meal. Beans and ground beef are inexpensive proteins and this meal will serve 12 people easily. Perfect for a large family, a crowd, or for freezing for later.

It tastes just like you remember. Even if you haven’t had chili at Wendy’s lately, the flavor of this dish will take you back. You’ll be craving a frosty and some fries while you’re eating it.

If you’d like to try a traditional Mexican chili recipe, make my Chile Colorado with chunks of beef in a rich and spicy sauce.

Or try a regional favorite and make a pot of Cincinnati Chilli, served with spaghetti!

What Kind of Pot Do I Make Chili In?

I love using a dutch oven for soups and stews that cook for a long time on the stovetop. You can get your own enameled cast iron dutch oven just like mine on Amazon.

The reason I like the dutch oven so much is that it’s heavy and conducts heat very well, creating an even heating environment. It can go from the stovetop to the oven when needed, and the 6-quart size is perfect for cooking for a family.

Ingredients in Wendy’s Chili

This ingredient list looks long, but all of these ingredients are simple to find and prepare. Using canned beans and tomatoes is a great time saver for this chili recipe.

Ingredients needed to make Wendy’s Chili including ground beef, diced tomato and sauce, celery, onion, jalapeño, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin, pinto beans, kidney beans, cheddar, vinegar, water, bell pepper.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground Beef – 2 pounds of 85/15 hamburger meat is the base flavor for our copycat Wendy’s chili.
Onion, Celery, Green Pepper – Sometimes called “the holy trinity”, this is the perfect blend of aromatic vegetables for a tasty chili.
Jalapeño Pepper – One jalapeño, with seeds removed and diced finely, adds a fresh heat to the mix.
Diced Tomatoes – Canned diced tomatoes are perfect for this.
Tomato Sauce – Along with the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce adds acidity and flavor.
Kidney Beans and Pinto Beans – One can of each, drained and rinsed well.
Ground Cumin – Cumin is a must for any southwest-style food, it adds a warm flavor.
Chili Powder – You can adjust the heat in this recipe by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder.
Garlic Powder – This adds a roasted garlic flavor without actually needing to roast garlic.
Dried Oregano – the final seasoning, I think this one might be the secret to making this chili really taste like Wendy’s.
Salt and Pepper – To properly season everything.
White Vinegar – This is optional, but I really like the bit of acidity it gives to the dish.
Grated Cheddar Cheese and Saltine Crackers – for serving.

How to Make Copycat Wendy’s Chili

A collage with 6 images showing how to make Wendy’s Chili over the stovetop

Brown The Beef: Brown the beef of medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as you go, until it’s no longer pink. Drain the fat from the pan.
Add Aromatics: Add onion, celery, jalapeño, and bell pepper to the same pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
Add Beans and Seasonings: Add in canned tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, canned beans, and water. Season with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil.
Simmer: Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour while stirring occasionally, letting the flavors come together.
Finish and Serve: Mix vinegar into the chili and serve with cheddar cheese on top and saltine crackers to dip in the chili.

Adjustments for this Wendy’s Copycat Chili Recipe

I am obsessed with how much this tastes exactly like Wendy’s, but swapping out some ingredients will still create a delicious dish.

To make your chili spicier, add cayenne pepper to taste.
To make it milder, reduce or eliminate the jalapeno pepper.
You can omit the green pepper if you aren’t a fan, or replace it with red or yellow bell pepper.
This chili will also work with other types of ground meat. Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or a meat alternative to make this dish fit your dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Wendy’s Make Their Chili?

Wendy’s is known for never using frozen beef for their burgers, which is probably why they’re so delicious! What you might not know is that they use hamburgers to make their chili. Often they will have leftover cooked patties that don’t sell, so they chop them up to create that delicious, hot treat.

Can I Make Wendy’s Chili in a Slow Cooker?

Of course you can! To make copycat Wendy’s Chili in a slow cooker, simply add all ingredients in, browning the meat first if you prefer, and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.

Storing Tips

Fridge: You can store your chili in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or for several months in the freezer.

Freezer: To freeze chili, separate it into either meal sized or individual serving size amounts. Seal in a freezer safe, air tight container, and freeze.

Reheat: Your frozen chili can be reheated by allowing it to thaw first, and then reheating in the microwave or on low heat on the stovetop.

Side Dishes to Have with Copycat Wendy’s Chili

Top Grilled Potatoes with chili, cheese, and sour cream for a delicious and filling meal.
A Southern Style Cornbread is always good with chili. This one is easy to make all in one bowl.
Enjoy a tasty chopped Tex Mex Salad with a side of chili.
Saltines just like the restaurant serves!

Enjoy your copycat Wendy’s chili at home, and save yourself a trip through the drive through! Make sure to pin this recipe so everyone can enjoy it and for more delicious chilis, check out my Creamy Crockpot White Chicken Chili, Slow Cooker Turkey Chili, and this Vegan Chili for meatless dinners!