Wendy’s Copycat Chili
17 comments » 
Fall seems to have taken a permanent hold over the last few weeks and as a result, I’ve been craving a warm and hearty comfort meal full of flavor. What cures that craving better than a big bowl of chili that has slowly simmered for hours? Not much, right? I have only ever made one other version of chili, which is the one my mom made growing up. While it’s certainly a great meal, it’s not quite authentic – it doesn’t contain much in the way of seasonings and includes rice. So I went off in search of a more traditional chili recipe.
The web was full of recipes, so I finally settled on one (I love Wendy’s chili!) and then went ahead and tweaked it to suit my tastes. Since I don’t like very spicy foods, the amount of chili powder and cumin in this recipe probably seem low to the chili aficionados, but it’s just as easy to ramp them up, so adjust them to suit your own personal tastes. The amount that I include in the recipe is enough to taste the seasonings, but not enough to set your mouth tingling.
This is one of the best homemade bowls of chili I have ever had. The combination of flavors is fantastic, the beans make it a truly hearty meal, and the absolute key is the long slow simmer that allows all of the flavors to meld together and thicken into a fabulous chili with a smell so enticing that it would wake up the soundest of sleepers. I would suggest the 2-3 hours of uncovered simmer as a minimum – I actually simmered uncovered for 2 hours and then covered the pot and simmered for another 2 hours. It improved substantially in that time. I served chili with the traditional accompaniment – cornbread. I fell in love with this recipe last year and it’s probably the most authentic (save for a cast iron skillet) that I’ve tried yet. Enjoy!!
Wendy's Copycat Chili
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 to 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans (with liquid)
2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans (with liquid)
1 medium onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups waterDirections:
1. Brown ground beef in a large pot (I used my 7.25 qt Dutch oven) over medium heat.
2. Drain off the fat.
3. Combine the beef plus all the remaining ingredients, and bring to a simmer over low heat.
4. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes, for 2 to 3 hours.
(Adapted from Recipezaar)
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We don’t like spicey chili here either so this would be perfect for us, through in some cornbread and this is one good dinner.
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Unlike you, I have a million chili recipes. I feel like I rarely make the same one twice. I’ll have to add this to the arsenal!
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Mmmmm! Chili, chili, I LOVE chili!!! Glad you found a recipe that made both you and Nick happy. Looks great!
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Yum! I love chili of all kinds. I’m making some this week, too.
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What a great way to warm up!
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Yum! I LOVE LOVE LOVE chili! I am definitely going to make this next time its a rainy day outside and all i want is comfort food! plus i love wendy’s chili too! thanks for the recipe!
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This reminds me that I must make chili! I never make the same version twice. the only constant ingredient are beans, everything else is varied: makes it more fun
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Chili is kinda the best comfort food ever, huh? I love it! Yours looks delish
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I love all kinds of chili. Did your husband think it tasted like Wendy’s? I actually like Wendy’s chili as well but I spice it up a bit. I’ve never really dissected Wendy’s chili but I didn’t think it had celery or two kinds of beans.
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This looks like a great chili recipe! Can’t wait to try it out on my new cooktop this weekend.
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It’s getting to be that time of the year where chili sounds perfect. Will try browning the meat in my Dutch Oven too.
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I don’t know why this recipe doesn’t have more comments! I made this recipe a couple weeks ago and couldn’t believe how flavorful it was! I’m a college student so usually recipes have too many ingredients, but I already had all of these and it turned out great! The only thing I added was a jalapeno
Making it again tonight for dinner. 
Thanks!
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Michelle on November 16th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Hi Rachel, Love the addition of a jalapeno, will try that next time! Thanks for coming back to comment, so happy you enjoyed the chili!
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My family loves chili. Right now we are using the Carroll Shelby mix. It really needs very little tweeking for us. Our very favorite is a mix you can buy via internet from Hammett House in Claremore, OK My family does not like beans period, and they like their chili somewhat soupy, simmered for hours. If I do sneak beans in I use the Bush’s chili beans and use the immersion blender and they really aren’t aware there are beans.
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