Our copycatWendy’s Chilitastes just as good as the fast food classic. This recipe brings together savory, perfectly seasoned beef and tender vegetables to create a hearty, flavorful dish.

If you have ever had Wendys’ chili then you will absolutely love this homemade copycat recipe! The ground beef is cooked to perfection in a fragrant mix of savory spices and then cooked along with a blend of veggies, beans, and tomatoes.

Simmering the chiliallows the flavors time to fully combine, ensuring every bite is full of flavor. We love serving our chili with a variety of toppings. Shredded cheese, sour cream, and crumbled bacon are just a few of the toppings you can use to elevate your chili.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It tastes just like the nostalgic Wendy’s chili.
Comes together in under an hour.
Is the perfect dish for picky eaters.

Recipe Ingredients

Digitally labeled ingredients for wendys chili.

Ground Beef—You can use 85/15, 90/10, or 93/7 ground beef.
Spice Blend—A flavorful blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
White Onion—Can be replaced with a yellow onion.
Green Bell Pepper—Diced.
Beans—A 1:1 mixture of black and kidney beans.
Diced Tomatoes—Either canned or freshly diced.
Tomato Sauce—Serves as a flavorful base for your chili.
Water—To help combine all of your ingredients and bring the flavors together.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Wendy’s Chili

Ground beef mixed with spices in a bowl.

Step #1.Combine the ground beef and spice blend in a pot over medium heat until the beef is fully cooked.

Added veggies to the ground beef and spices.

Step #2.Add the veggies and allow them to cook until softened.

Step #3.Stir in the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and water.

Step #4.Allow your chili to simmer until it is warm all the way through. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What ground beef works best for chili?

It is really up to you! Because you are adding so many other ingredients to this dish, the fat percentage of your ground beef will not make a big difference in the taste or consistency of your chili. If you are using 85/15 ground beef then you might want to remove some of the excess grease before adding your veggies, but it is not necessary. In addition to using ground beef, you can also use ground turkey for a slightly healthier chili.

Do I need to use tomato paste in my recipe?

While some people like to use tomato paste in their chili, it is not necessary. It is often used to elevate the tomato flavor in the dish, but we want to make sure all the flavors come through equally. By only using tomato sauce we are able to tone down the sweetness of the tomato flavor and ensure that every ingredient has a chance to shine.

Close up view of Wendy's chili in a pot.

Expert Tips

You can replace your ground beef with one pound of ground turkeyor ground chicken.
We like to use canned diced tomatoes to cut down on our prep time,but you can also use freshly diced tomatoes. If you go the canned route then make sure you drain them before adding them to your chili.
In addition to using kidney and black beans,you can use pinto beans and great northern beans.You can use any combination of these beans as long as it comes out to about 3½–4 cups of beans.
Other veggies you can add to your chili include diced celery and chopped spinach. While traditional Wendy’s chili doesn’t have any spinach, it is a great way to add some extra nutrients to the dish.
For a spicier chili,replace your chili powder with chipotle chili powder.

How to Store Your Leftover Chili

You can store your leftover chili in the fridge for up to 4 days before it goes bad. When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, place a single serving in a microwave safe bowl covered with a paper plate or paper towel to prevent any splatter. Reheat your chili in the microwave for 45-60 seconds, or until it is fully reheated. Stir your chili halfway through to ensure it reheats evenly.

In addition to storing your chili in the fridge, you can freeze your chili for up to 3 months. To freeze your chili, let it cool down on the counter before transferring it to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Lay your bag in the freezer as flat as possible to decrease the thaw time. The night before you want to enjoy your chili, let it thaw in the fridge and then reheat it on the stovetop.

Optional Toppings and Sides

One of our favorite things about this chili is being able to pair it with so many tasty toppings! Some of our favorites include sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, and diced green onion. We like to serve our chili alongsideeasy homemade cornbreadand a side salad likespinach salad with apples. This recipe is also delicious witheasy chili hot dogs. No matter what you serve with or add to your chili, it is sure to be a hit!