Wendy’s Copycat Chili in the Slow Cooker
This Wendy’s chili recipe is a perfect copycat! Thick and rich chili with a variety of beans, vegetables, and spices. It’s the perfect dump and go slow cooker chili.
Bev Michael says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Made this chili and it is wonderful!! My go to chili recipe. Will continue to make. Have passed this to my daughters to make.
The first job I ever had was working at Wendy’s. I was 15. And yes, this will date me, but this was in the days of Wendy’s “superbar” and fresh stuffed pitas. Anybody remember those? I want the pitas to make a comeback.
(Also my old Wendy’s manager’s wife reads my blog. How fun is that? Hi Kathie! Hi Gary!)
One thing about working at a restaurant, you get to see what other people love to order and eat. By golly, people love Wendy’s chili. Especially during the cold weather months.
Whether you agree or not, Wendy’s has some spectacular chili for a fast food chain. It’s way more complex than just hamburger and beans in a chili sauce. It’s thick and spicy with beans and veggies and tastes as close to homemade chili as you can get for under 2 bucks.
This copycat chili recipe tastes just like Wendy’s. Except it’s homemade, so it’s better.
This chili is comfort food at it’s best. It’s made with 2 kinds of beans, fresh chopped vegetables, tomatoes and spices. And it’s ridiculously easy. Just dump and go in the slow cooker. Watch the video and see.
Please note: You will need a slow cooker that is at least 6 quarts for this chili.
If you don’t have a large slow cooker, this recipe can also be made on the stove top. Simply follow the directions stated below, but simmer in a large stockpot for 45-60 minutes on low on the stove instead.
We love to eat our chili with cornbread. If you do too, you need this Jiffy cornbread hack. The best cornbread ever!
And if you are a true chili lover you’ve got to try this recipe that uses leftover chili. It’s my family’s favorite. Chili Dog Pizza!
More Slow Cooker Favorites to Enjoy:
- Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
- Slow Cooker Rootbeer Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Calico Beans
- Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Ham
Wendy’s Copycat Chili in the Slow Cooker
This Wendy’s chili recipe is a perfect copycat! Thick and rich chili with a variety of beans, vegetables, and spices.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 29 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 29 ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 1 29 ounce can pinto beans, drained
- 2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes, not drained
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 3 ribs celery (chopped)
- 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon cumin powder
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 2 cups beef broth*
- * See note below*
Instructions
- 1. Brown the ground beef well. Drain off the fat and add the ground beef to a 6 quart or larger slow cooker.
- 2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well and cover.
- 3. Cook on Low for 8-10 hours or on High for 4-6 hours.
Video
Notes
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We love this chili recipe!! I make it on the stove top, and it’s so easy & delicious! I no longer make any other chili recipe!!
This house loves this chili recipe!!
Every time I make this recipe I get compliments on it. It is definitely a winner.
I made this today!! It’s a winner! Tastes like Wendy’s chili! Yum!
How many quarts does it make?
I love this recipe! Tastes better than Wendy’s!
Best chili recipe ever. I did add a can of chili beans as well as the others listed and my kids are now asking for me to make this all the time.
Does this freeze well ?
Yes, it does. Just make sure you thaw it completely before trying to reheat it or else the beans can get all mashed up.