Description
Wendy’s chili brings hearty comfort straight from American kitchens, blending ground beef, beans, and signature spices into a satisfying one-pot wonder. Warm spoonfuls promise rich flavor and nostalgia you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) fresh ground beef
Beans and Vegetables:
- 1 (15-ounce / 425 grams) can red kidney beans, drained
- 1 (15-ounce / 425 grams) can pinto beans, drained
- 1 medium-large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups / 360 milliliters)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) diced celery
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) diced green bell pepper
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 1 quart (946 milliliters) tomato juice
- 1 (29-ounce / 822 grams) can tomato puree
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly cook the ground beef until no pink remains, carefully breaking it into small, uniform crumbles.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a large pot, allowing excess grease to drain completely during the process.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes, kidney beans, onions, green peppers, celery, tomato sauce, and signature spice blend into the pot with the beef.
- Gently stir all ingredients to ensure even distribution and complete integration of flavors.
- Pour water or beef broth into the mixture, creating a balanced liquid consistency.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low, allowing the chili to gently simmer and develop rich, deep flavors.
- Stir the chili periodically – approximately every 15-20 minutes – to prevent ingredient settling and ensure consistent heat distribution.
- Continue cooking for 90-120 minutes, watching for gradual thickening and flavor melding.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices if needed during the cooking process.
- Once chili reaches desired thickness and ingredients are tender, remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with optional toppings like shredded cheese, diced onions, or sour cream.
Notes
- Boost beef flavor by using a mix of ground chuck and ground sirloin for deeper, richer taste.
- Enhance texture by chopping vegetables finely to ensure even distribution and consistent mouthfeel throughout the chili.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium tomato sauce and reducing added salt, making the recipe more heart-healthy.
- Adapt for vegetarian diets by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans, maintaining the classic chili essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg