Recipe - Wendy's Chili

6/10/12 Top Secret Recipes | Wendy's Chili

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Wendy's ChiliBy Todd Wilbur

Recipe Type: SoupCalories: 237Cook Time: 40 minutesRecipe Rating: 4.9 (114 reviews)

Here's a favorite recipe for chili that clones the stuff served at the Wendy's chain. DaveThomas, Wendy's late founder, started serving this chili in 1969, the year the firstWendy's opened its doors. Over the years the recipe has changed a bit, but this versionhere is an amazing copy of the version of chili served in the early 90's. Try topping itwith some chopped onion and cheddar cheese, just as you can request in the restaurant.

2 pounds ground beefone 29-ounce can tomato sauceone 29-ounce can kidney beans (with liquid)one 29-ounce can pinto beans (with liquid)1 cup diced onion (1 medium onion)1/2 cup diced green chili (2 chilies)1/4 cup diced celery (1 stalk)3 medium tomatoes, chopped2 teaspoons cumin powder3 tablespoons chili powder1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper2 teaspoons salt2 cups water

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat; drain off the fat.

2. Using a fork, crumble the cooked beef into pea-size pieces.

3. In a large pot, combine the beef plus all the remaining ingredients, and bring to asimmer over low heat. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes, for 2 to 3 hours.

Makes about 12 servings.

Tidbits: For spicier chili, add 1/2 teaspoon more black pepper. For much spicier chili, add1/2 teaspoon black pepper and a tablespoon of cayenne pepper. And for a real stomachstinger, add 5 or 6 sliced jalapeno peppers to the pot. Leftovers can be frozen forseveral months.

Destiny Crum

Submitted on 05/24/12

I acn cook, there isn't much I can't make. I followed this recipe and it didn't tasteanything like Wendy's. It was terrible.

Neil Klotz


I made this with a vegetarian substitute for the meat (for my wife, I'm a carnivore), but itstill came out fantastically. I've made it for friends and they loved it too. I'll be makingthis recipe for years to come.

Anna Fitzpatrick



Anna Fitzpatrick


We love Wendy's chili but love this recipe even more. We took out tomatoes, my hubby isnot a fan, so added a little more tomato sauce. So good - thanks so much for posting.

Natalia Procopio


This is the BEST chili recipe! Tastes just like Wendy's if not better, and the house smellsgreat while it's cooking on a cold winter day. It's very easy to assemble and I use cannedchili's. You won't regret for trying!! My husband who is a picky eater LOVES it!

Danele Sullivan


In my opinion this is even better than the actual Wendy's chili!!!

Misty Westfall


Best Chili I have made by far! I love Wendy's chili, but this is way better because I canput in high quality ground beef. I made this for dinner last night in the crockpot and it wasperfect for a chilly night.

Danielle Siemien


This recipe is spot on! It really does taste like Wendy's Chili! And if you usually get it withthe hot oil (like I do) i would recommend going for the spicier/much spicier chili. I madethe "much spicier" chili last night, and it was SO good! Definitely gives it a kick!

Jean Daugherty


This is delicious..tastes just like Wendy's. Would highly recommend it.

Michael Jordan


Looks, smells, and tastes exactly like the inspiration.

Terri Vermaat


My son, who didn't cook very much, made this and the whole family loved it! It is our newchili recipe. We will be using this one frequently.

Brian Marsh


I visit the U.S. every year from England for my annual vacation. I just love chili andevery year without fail, I cannot find anyone who is prepared to give me their recipe. Ipurchased this book primarily for the chili recipe and I was amazed at the result. So easyto make and tastes fantastic. Thanks Mr. Wilbur!!

Timothy Sturgis


I don't cook at all. One day stumbled across this recipe and just had to make it and i cannot believe it it taste like I just left Wendys OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

Saint


Love this chili. We use bison meat instead of ground beef and then have cheese availableas a topping and, of course, oyster crackers. My family requests this regularly in thewinter and it is so easy!

Dale Ward


This is the BEST chili. My husband requests it often. I use canned tomatoes and GreenChilis instead of fresh. Mmmmm. Wonderful!

Kim


This is the first but not the last of the recipes I will try. I made this last night and OMG it isexactly like the original. Everyone loved it, my mom even said if she hadn't seen memaking it she would have thought I bought it.

Zach


I went to the store today and picked up a crockpot and gave this a shot, it turned outgreat and only took about 20 minutes to throw together. Who thought it could be such asimple recipe. Thanks



Ed


Great taste! Only thing I change is to use chopped up stew meat instead of hamburgerbecause my wife doesn't like browned ground beef, and I use a fresh green pepperinstead of canned green chili.

Rhoda Weber


I have used this recipe for years. Today I decided if it was good enough for my family Iwould take it to the streets to feed the homeless! Thank you for making it available forthem. Quality is our way of saying we love the homeless this recipe helps with thatmessage! God Bless!

Julti


People rave about this chili and it's easy! I use canned tomatoes and canned chili's so theonly prep is the onion and celery; I cut them while the beef cooks. Great for slowcookers. Top it with some sour cream and cheese! Excellent for freezing in bulk orindividual servings.

Maureen


I halved this recipe and it turned out AWESOME! It is so unbelieveably simple. It eventastes better the second and third day! I want to try it with turkey and I also want to tryand freeze it but there is never any left.

Old Shagger


I have been entering a club sponsored chili contest every year for 10 years using variousrecipes and never won. This year I used this recipe and won $100 first prize. I make it athome every month. Great recipe and easy to make.

Elaine


When I took this to a potluck at work, everyone wanted to know who brought the wendy'schili.

Jan


Print this one out, it's worth taking the time to make! I've made it several times andtastes just like Wendy's. Great crock-pot recipe! Makes alot too.

Debi


The best! Weight Watchers friendly, hearty, yummy, and so easy!

norma


I have made this recipe several times now and it is just like being at Wendy's. Add thechopped onions and cheese on top and it is perfect.

Master of Chili


Quite possibly the best chili I have ever had. Totally beats "actual" wendy's chili handsdown!

Janpics


This is the best in the crock pot! Make it the day before to allow it to get thicker,,,yum!Just like I remember at Wendy's. Yep, this is a "keeper" for our family.

Wendy(no pun intended)that is my name


My dad, who is 75, made this and made me try it in front of him. I love Wendy's chili andget it every time I go. I couldn't believe how good it was. He said it was easy to make soI will be making it very soon. Even my husband liked it and he is very picky at what heeats. This is a definite 2 thumbs up!!!

Beth


This chili is almost identical to Wendy's chili! It's very easy and quick to prepare. Mywhole family loves it!

Dony





I've used this for years, too. I've made it with lean ground turkey as well as lean groundbeef. During the winter I made a big pot of this and a corn casserole. We pig out until it isall gone. It is high in fiber, low cal, and taste great. One variation I do is put some of theseasonings (Seasoned salt, chili powder, onions, celery, etc.) in with my meat while it isbrowning.

ghrn_04


I used this recipe for the first time on Thanksgiving day and I loved it!! My husband saidthat it really tastes like the original Wendy's chili! All of the family liked it and took somehome! I used the Rotel Green Chiles and Tomatoes (mild) for the fresh tomatoes andgreen chilies called for. I put about a tablespoon of diced onion (since my husbandsfamily doesnt like onions) and it still tasted great! I would definitely use this recipe againang again! ;)Thanks!

John


I have used this recipe for several years now and love it. One step that is left out is afteryou brown the hamburger boil it in water to remove the last bits of grease from it. Thisway you get all the taste from the ingredients and it is not muddied by the taste ofhamburger fat. Trust me, there is a very noticable taste difference for the better. And it isalso low fat without tasting like the typical low in taste low fat recipe.

Robert W.


I've been using this for several years and I love it. I have changed it a bit: I only makehalf as much as this recipe calls for and I substitute a can of Rotel Green Chiles andTomatoes (the regular variety) for the fresh tomatoes and green chilies called for. I alsoadd a couple of serrano chiles for heat (seeds scraped out and discardeed and the chilessliced). I prefer the taste of these to jalapeno peppers. This chili freezes very well andimproves each time you heat it up.

Kim S.


Great, easy recipe

Sandy G


I love Chili and have always tried to match Wendys. Not only did I love it, but I got somany people into it as well. I made this for all of them, snd it came out perfect. I've beendoing it for 5 years, and will never do another chili recipe.

treeman


The best gringo chili on the planet. In the cold months nothing taste better.

Jennifer


This chili tastes just like Wendy's chili. I couldn't have gotten it any closer to the realthing. I did change it and use a can of diced tomatoes. And I put it in the crockpot. Makesa ton of chili!!!

RocketRaccoon


I have found my chili. Im on the SouthBeach diet and have been looking for a good chilirecipe that was ok to have during the diet. I have gone through about 10lbs of leanground beef trying other recipes that ended up in the trash. This recipe with very slightmodification (diet reasons) fits the bill and tastes so good I have a hard time not eating it.Thank you!!!!!!

Theresa D.


Absolutley fabulous! When I first used this recipe, my family flipped over it. It is now ourtraditional dinner on Halloween. I also have gotten rave reviews from coworkers when wehave our chili feeds. Everyone asks for the recipe!

Kevin


This stuff is awesome. I change it up just a little bit by adding 1 lb of ground sausagealong with the ground beef. Best ever chili recipe!

Rose Cardoso


Wow! I tried this tonight.. first time ever to make chili (I always loved Wendys chili btw)and it came out fantastic.. easy as pie to throw together.. and it came out fantastic..threw some crushed tortilla chips and some shredded cheddar cheese! HEAVEN! Have totry

smiller



smiller


great loved it taste the best,great job

Anne Boley


The only chili I'll make. Brown ground meat. Stick everything in a crockpot and comehome to a fabulous dinner!!!

Jen


This was awesome!!!!! I have made it twice...the first time was a bit salty and spicy. Thesecond go around, I omitted the salt and put in less chili peppers. Hands down the bestchili I have ever had!!! I got a lot of compliments on it...and will make it over and overand over again!

runzwitsizrs


OMG...this is killer good stuff. The only change I made was that I used a 29 oz. can ofdiced tomatoes instead of the 3 medim chopped fresh ones....This is a new favoritearound here. Thanks!

Richard Rybka


My wife does not like HOT! or spicey chile so we eliminated the diced green chile. We alsocut the chile powder, cumin and pepper by half and felt that this batch was much moreneutral for others to flavor up to their liking. Also thought it was more like the chile youget now at Wendy's. An excellant recipe to tinker with. We also tried it with a can ofbaked beans! excellant TOO!!!!

Barbara


The best chili in the world! Our family's favorite!!

Helen Williamson


Needless to say this is the best chili I have ever eaten. Each time I go to Wendy's Ialways order a dish; top with cheese and green onions. Thanks for this recipe

Jen


My boyfriend asked me to make chili from scratch which I have never done before nowand It turned out great!!!! Though, next time, I think I will add a little less salt because itwas a bit much for me...I didn't realize how much it would make, so I am freezing therest. Easy recipe with GREAT results!!! THANK YOU!

Lori


I made this for my "very" finicky nieces--they loved it and wanted the recipe. Tastesgreat! I also used canned peppers.

Lauren Kline


Omg.. this is sooo goood! My mom makes it all the time and we all love it! Espeically onthose cold days! It is so delicious! I have her make all the time soo good!

Tony


WOW!! 13 years ago my Father and I made a chili from a recipe I got off the net. It wasAWFUL! Up until now I used packaged seasoning. Never Again. I just finished my firstbatch and can't wait to serve it during football tomorrow. My father would have loved thisrecipe not only for the flavor but also the vegetable content. Incredible recipe.

Johanne


I do not know what Wendy's chili tastes like but this recipe was excellent, better than theone I make usually with the help of a commercial package that includes herbs and spices.I used a little less meat and salt, added a bit of dry oregano and kept the otheringredients as in the recipe. Will surely make it again.

Dana


Everyone loves this recipe! When I make it, they think I bought it.

Stacy




Very good recipe, tastes better then Wendys because of the fresh beef, Wendys uses theold leftover and burnt burgers.

susan


The best chili I have ever had, easy to make-can serve it with rice or make a tacosalad...best recipe I have.

Mylinda


This is the best chili by far. I made this for our chili cookoff at work and I think 20 peopleasked me for the recipe. I put it all in a crockpot before I go to bed and it is ready when Iwake up....out the door I go with it to work.

Jaime


Delicious...tastes better when you make it at home! I also used canned chilies andtomatoes (drained most of the liquid).

Janice


I use this for a quick morning to throw in the crock pot and it is ready for me at the endof the day. I recommend this for all working people.

Katherine


This is AWESOME!! I pull this out every winter and make it over and over! I could easilyjust eat this through winter. Thanks so much!!

Tara


This is by far THE best chili out there. I have made several times, and I always getrequests to make more! Keep up the GREAT work. This is the best chili YUMMY!!!

Amber


This recipe really does taste like Wendy's chili; which I've always found to be the besttasting chili.It's great, I would reccommend it to all!

Anne


I used this recipe in my Family and Consumer Science class with 12th graders. We didn'thave ANY leftovers so I'll use it next year!

Millie


I've tried a lot of recipes for chili but this is the very best. Thanks, it is so goooood!

Marissa


My family LOVED this chili and it was super easy to make. We let it cook on low in thecrock pot all day and the taste was amazing. My husband added a packet of the Wendy'sspicy chili sauce (to hi) for zing and said it was even better than the real stuff. Wesubstituted canned tomatoes and chilis instead of fresh. YUMMY!!!

Gary


This is a great recipe. I cut the amount of pepper in half and chilli powder. Its not sospicy. But it is real good.

Marilyn


This Chili is always a hit at party's or potlucks. I pretty much follow the recipe except thatI use canned green chili's instead of fresh. I'm always being asked for the recipe andthere are never leftovers.

Tammy


This chili is awesome!! I made it for the first time last night and everyone loved it!! It isdefinitely a keeper!! Super easy to make as well.

Bobbie




This recipe is killer!! I work with ex-Wendy's managers and they LOVED it!! This is theonly chili my 6yr old will eat. I used canned choppped green chilis for the fresh--ole`.

Carol


By far the best chili recipe I've ever made. I've made it exactly as printed but I've alsolearned to use substitute ingredients for fresh. If there's a difference in taste, we surecan't tell it. Here's my substitutions..... 1 4.5 oz can Old El Paso chopped chilies (in placeof 2 fresh chilies) 1 14.5 oz can (drained) Hunts Petite Diced Tomatoes (in place of freshtomatoes) I've never found 29 oz cans of beans either so I use 2 16 oz cans in place of 129 oz can. This recipe is also excellent using deer burger.

Jess Fielder


I absolutely love this recipe. It tastes exactly like Wendy's chili. Next time put some ontop of salad greens with some tortilla chips and you have a Wendy's Taco Salad. Also, tryit on hot dogs for awesome chili dogs. Thanks again for the recipe.

Lori


This clone is the ultimate! My husband LOVES chili, especially Wenday's but told me thisrecipe was MUCH tastier! Increased chili powder to 5 Tbs. Used 1/2 C. diced celery andonly 1 tsp. salt.....EXCELLENT, even 2 months later out of the freezer!

Mariana


LOVE this recipe! Make it often and haven't found a recipe that tastes better. In myopinion it's even better the next day since the flavors have had more time to blend. It'salso thicker the next day which is how I like it.

Julie


This chili is awesome! I thought it was a lot better than Wendy's chili. I used extra leanground beef and kept everything else the same. I am adding this one to my recipe box.Thanks!

Bud


I tried the recipe and it turned out very good. My friend and his wife said it was like theoriginal. Thank You!

Kiomi-Mia


Fanatastic in the crock pot!!! Bonus was... My husband, who's the main chef in our kitchenand usually adds garlic to everything, loved it just the way it was... I especially liked thatI could use what I have instead of going to the grocery store just b/c the recipe won'ttaste the same or as tasty w/o it. Keep up the great work Todd!!!

Maria


It was very good, I made the spicier version. I did eliminate one can of water and addedNO salt. It was very good.

Bill Goble


My most requested dish, everyone loves it. Like I do with everything, I add a touch ofgarlic and a cup of red wine in place of some of the water.

andrea


Great chili, coming from someone who loves Wendy's chili! I put only one can of kidneybeans and more onion, celery, and pepper. I also used canned tomatoes and only 1 cupof water.

Jean


This chili is very good; however, the next time I will use less salt.

WendysMGR


Pretty close, as the other manager had commented, missing a few things though.Especially the fact that this one is higher in fat. The beef is frozen, then boiled to removeexcess grease and fat in Wendy's chili. Just a lower fat tidbit for everyone out there!!!




Not the best but pretty close to our recipe at Wendys.

Las Vegas Jay


I have been using this chili recipe for years when your first book came out. I took secondplace in a chili cook off with this recipe. Great job Todd keep up the good work.

Candace


I am the worst cook ever, and this was perfect and exactly like Wendys chili. Greatrecipe! Works well in the crockpot too.

Celia


I have been making this chili since the website came out..I do it with 1/2 of theingredients. I put it in the crock pot with no water, leave it there for 2-3 hrs in slow and itis really delicious!!

tmunderwood


Thanks for the great recipe! Along with everyone else that commented on the chili it isGREAT!! I to love Wendy's chili however for the past 2 years have cut out meat exceptturkey and fish. So instead of beef I use ground turkey. (not ground turkey breast, notenough fat for flavor.) My husband who swore he would NEVER eat ground turkey didn'teven know the difference! My kids didn't either. I always sub. ground turkey for all ourmeals that call for "ground beef". Thanks for the great recipe!!!!

Diana Story


This is the real thing. I've made it several times and it is just delicious. It freezes wellalso. I puree some of the beans to make it thicker.

kymamaw4


Best chili ever!!! My husband and I do a lot of RVing and this is a great campground dish,plus it freezes well also. Everyone raves about my chili now and I even won first prize ina chili contest at a local campground.

Jenny


This is a great recipe. I have been making it for a couple of years now. My family (hubbyand two boys ages 6 and 3) love this chili. I make it in large batched and freeze it. I havea foodsaver and we enjoy chili year round off one pot. My dad who has always been ahuge Wendy's Chili coneseuor couldn't tell the difference between my chili and theWendy's original.

Mary


The best Chili, hands down! Everyone including my "it's too spicy" British husband loves

it.

Gamecock Mule


This is great!!! May be a touch better than Wendy's.

Heather


I really enjoyed making this recipe. Course I did put it in a crock pot instead of on thestove. One thing though, like most recipes, it tasted better the next day!

Hungry in New Hampshire


I can't stop eating this chili! This is better than Wendy's hands down. I used what I had onhand for beans. (3 15.5 ounce cans - Pinto, Red & Pink). I also added 1 heaping tbls ofsugar and 93% lean hamburger. I used 1 small to medium Pablano chili pepper finelydiced. I think Wendy's uses canned tomatoes because there are no tomato peels in theirchili. The next time I make this, I will try canned tomatoes, add an extra stalk of celeryand only simmer for 1 & 1/2 hours so that the celery and beans are not so soft. I alsoused Mexican chili powder. This is the best chili ever!!!!

Chris


Have been making this since the first book came out! Everyone loves it... Top withCheese/onions/and a dollop of sour cream..heaven!

Nicole




I was never able to make a chili recipe EVER! I found this in my book and I will NEVERmake any other chili EVER again. My family Loves it. It makes a huge batch so when Imake this I take some leftovers to my co workers. They love it also

Fantastic!


I can't sew, I can't clean well, I can't cook. But I could make this chili. It does taste likeWendy's Chili Recipe and it's great. The recipe makes enough for an army but that's okaybecause it freezes well. I do admit to cutting the hamburger in half and I threw it in thecrock pot frozen because I forgot to let it thaw. One pound of frozen ground beef worksquite well instead of 2 pounds of cooked ground beef. Don't taste test before it hascooked in a crock pot for at least an hour, you'll be disappointed and trying to figure outhow to do damage control. After it cooks the spices work well and it tastes really good. Iactually cooked something that tastes good! YeeHaw! My friends and family are still inshock!

Dave Thomas


This is a lot better than Wendy's chili. I worked at one for a long time... Wendy's motto is:our burgers are square because we dont cut corners. YET... they make their chili withbroken up burgers that have expired.

Jenn


Absolute best chili I have ever had, I make it with the KFC buttermilk buiscut recipe andIt is a fantastic meal! Yummy!

Jody P


We love this recipe, I like it more during football season! Easy to make, freeze the leftovers, and then bring it out for the next Cowboys game!!!!!

Duke


Great chili recipe - very easy to make, especially for people who don't particularly like tocook (like me!)

Doris Reiss


This is by far the best chili I have ever tasted. I always get compliments on it. I addcheese and onions to the top of each serving.

Beth


I have used this recipe since you put in the top secret recipe box. I think it is the bestChili we have ever had. I still buy it at Wendy's but love to keep a big batch in thefreezer. Thanks.

Margie


Left over chili? Try dipping corn tortillas in hot olive oil, drain off all fat,place 1-1/2 Tbs.chili, roll and top will more chili and cheese. GREAT !

isabelydancer00


my son loves this chili ~ I love it because its all in one pot!!!

Lori the Great


OMG! I am in love with Wendy's Chili and now since this clone is here, never have tospend $1.00 for a small container of it again! The recipe rocks! Thanks Todd!!!

Mike


I make this every July for my birthday party. Leftovers are frozen until Halloween. I usecanned tomatoes and add black beans in addition to pintos and kidneys.

ksilvan


My family loves this chili. We make it in HUGE batches and freeze it. It works wonderfulfor any dish recipe calling for chili and great on it's own.

Dale


Best Chili ever! Family can't get enough! I like to add a little sugar as well.



Sue


sub for 3 tomatoes would be nice,because store bought tomatoes have no flavor

victoria


This is awesome and I use extremely lean ground beef so no guilt! I have been lookingfor a good recipe for years and this one is a keeper.

San Diego Fan


I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!!! This one is great!

Donna


My husband and I make special trips to Wendy's just for their chili. It is the best there is.I personally add a bit of sugar to mine. Thanks for the recipe.

Mark


very tasty chili

Jill


I've tried lots of other chili recipes but this one is the best. My husband says this is thebest chili he has ever tasted. When I make it I use ground turkey and only use one 15 oz.can of chili beans.

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