Description

This Wendy’s Copycat Chili recipe delivers the comforting warmth and bold flavors of the famous fast-food chili right in your kitchen. With hearty ground beef, kidney beans, and a rich blend of spices, this easy-to-make chili is perfect for weeknights or casual get-togethers. Customize spice levels and ingredients to suit your taste while enjoying a wholesome, satisfying bowl of hearty chili.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Beans

1 pound lean ground beef
2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables

1 medium onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Sauces

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 cup beef broth or water
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Spices and Seasonings

2 tablespoons chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt, to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
Black pepper, to taste (about ½ teaspoon)

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Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely dice the onions, green bell peppers, and garlic. Measure out the chili powder, cumin, tomato sauce, kidney beans, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth or water to have everything ready for cooking.
Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Use a spoon to break up the meat evenly. Drain excess fat if necessary to prevent greasiness.
Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onions, green bell peppers, and garlic to the browned beef. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until onions become translucent and vegetables soften slightly, enhancing their natural sweetness.
Season and Combine: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper over the meat and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Pour in the tomato sauce, kidney beans, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth or water. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
Simmer to Develop Flavors: Lower the heat and let the chili simmer gently, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to let flavors meld and chili thicken to a medium, hearty consistency.
Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the chili and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more chili powder for extra heat or a pinch of salt if it needs brightening. Customize it to your preference.

Notes

Use fresh chili powder and cumin for the most vibrant and authentic flavor.
Properly browning the beef adds caramelized depth and richer taste.
Add kidney beans late in cooking to avoid mushy beans.
Simmer on low heat slowly to let flavors fully meld without evaporating moisture too quickly.
If chili is too thick, stir in more beef broth or water to reach desired consistency.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 55mg