Description
Wendy’s chili recipe brings hearty comfort straight from classic American kitchens. Simmered with ground beef, beans, and signature spices, this homestyle dish delivers rich, satisfying flavors you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef (fresh)
Beans and Tomato Base:
- 1 quart (946 milliliters) tomato juice
- 29 ounces (822 grams) tomato purée
- 15 ounces (425 grams) red kidney beans (drained)
- 15 ounces (425 grams) pinto beans (drained)
Vegetables and Spices:
- 1 ½ cups (225 grams) onion (chopped (medium-large onion))
- ½ cup (75 grams) celery (diced)
- ¼ cup (40 grams) green bell pepper (diced)
- ¼ cup (30 grams) chili powder (use less for milder chili)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin (use more for real flavor)
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Thoroughly brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking meat into uniform small crumbles. Meticulously drain excess fat to prevent a greasy consistency.
- Transfer cooked beef into a large cooking vessel, combining it with tomato juice, tomato purée, kidney beans, pinto beans, diced onion, chopped celery, diced bell pepper, and comprehensive spice blend including chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, sugar, and cayenne pepper. Blend ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- For stovetop preparation, cover and allow chili to gently simmer on low heat for approximately 90 minutes. Periodically stir to prevent bottom scorching and promote flavor melding. Alternatively, for slow cooker method, set temperature to low and cook for 3-4 hours, occasionally stirring to maintain consistent texture.
- After cooking duration, taste and fine-tune seasoning as needed. Enhance presentation by garnishing with complementary toppings such as shredded cheese, tangy sour cream, freshly chopped green onions, or crispy tortilla chips. Serve piping hot and savor robust flavors.
Notes
- Drain excess fat completely to prevent greasy consistency and maintain the authentic restaurant-style chili flavor profile.
- Slow cooking is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors – whether using stovetop or slow cooker method, allow at least 1-1.5 hours of simmering time.
- Balance spices carefully by adding small amounts of cayenne and chili powder to control heat level and match Wendy’s classic taste.
- Kidney and pinto beans contribute authentic texture and protein, making this chili a hearty, satisfying meal that’s both filling and delicious.
- Optional toppings like shredded cheese and green onions elevate the dish, allowing personalization and adding extra layers of flavor and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg