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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Did you make this recipe?
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Made this for dinner this evening. I did halve the recipe. It turned out great! 😋I’ll definitely make this again. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Thanks for taking the time to let me know how it turned out for you Debbie.
I made this recipe and it wasn’t what I hoped. It didn’t taste anything like Wendy’s chili and it also had too much of a chili seasoning taste to it. (Not the recipe but the spice.)
It definitely needs some adjustments.
My family loves this! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to hear it, Corey! Thanks for the feedback.
Amy D.
Delicious! Best Wendy’s Copycat Chili recipe. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I love this chili! It’s fantastic! Thank you so much for posting this recipe. It’s my go to for a warm bowl in the winter!
Easy chili recipe but boy is it ever HOT! I questioned the 1/2 cup chili powder but went ahead with it anyway. My advice is if you don’t like really hot chili, cut back on the chili powder for sure!
@Monica, the recipe actually calls for 1/4 c chili powder. I can’t imagine using 1/2 c! 😳 You might start with 2 Tbsp and go from there, adding to suit your taste.
I have made this several times.Best chili recipe I have ever used.Thanks!
This is the BEST Wendy’s copycat chili, I can’t taste the difference. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Basia,
So glad that this chili recipe was just what you were looking for!
Amy D.
This was such an easy and delicious meal to make. Now a family favorite!
Definitely tasted like Wendy’s chili!! It was a hit with my family last night. Very flavorful
I did make it because my Wife really liked Wendy’s chili. This is amazingly good!!! Thank you and I have shared it with my sister and another success!!
We are retired and a bit older so cut everything in half. Absolutely wonderful!!
This chili is amazing! I like a little more heat so I added about a half tablespoon of cayenne pepper as well as a tablespoon of jalapeño “juice” from a jar of jalapeños. I also added a can of corn in after it was cooked. This was my first time making chili and I don’t need to look anywhere else, this will be my go to recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Rose! I’m so happy that it turned out just how you wanted it to.
Amy D.
Can’t wait to try this! Fellow ex-Wendy’s employee here also and of the same superbar/pita generation. So miss those!! I’m excited to have the recipe, I always just cheat and get a cup or two to take home from my old stomping grounds when I have the craving 🙂
How fun is that Barb, I wish that the pitas would make a comeback. They were one of the best things on the menu. Hope you’ll enjoy this slice, err cup, of nostalgia!
Amy D.
@Amy D, I’m from the same Wendy’s era, the super bar was bomb and those pitas were great thrown in the fryer and then drizzled with 2 honey packs. Remember the baked apple dumplings??
This is my new go to chili recipe. I have made several times now. Incredible recipe!! Thank you!
Amy, That’s great to hear! Glad you’ve found a keeper.
Amy D.