Dad's Chili Wendy's Copycat

Recreate the comforting, hearty flavor of a fast-food favorite with "Dad's Chili Wendy's Copycat"! This rich, savory chili is packed with ground beef, tender kidney and pinto beans, and a medley of fresh vegetables like diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. It's masterfully seasoned with a bold blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a hint of cayenne for just the right amount of warmth in every bite. Simmered to perfection with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, this recipe delivers the signature thick, flavorful consistency you know and love. Ready in just over an hour, it’s perfect for chilly evenings or game-day gatherings. Serve it up with shredded cheese, sour cream, or your favorite toppings for a comforting meal that’s guaranteed to hit the spot.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
• 15 ounces canned red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 15 ounces canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups beef broth
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 3

Stir in the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 5

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Add the rinsed and drained kidney beans and pinto beans to the pot, stirring to incorporate.

Step 7

Season the chili with chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.

Step 8

Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, or chopped green onions.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3895.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3594.6

Total Fat 218.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 75.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.7g
Cholesterol 658.1mg	0%
Sodium 8872.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 235.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 78.3g	0%
Total Sugars 59.3g
Protein 215.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 820.1mg	0%
Iron 44.0mg	0%
Potassium 8540.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.2%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 25.0%