Description

Wendy’s Chili Recipe is a classic, hearty, and flavorful chili made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. This chili simmers for two hours to develop deep, rich flavors, making it the perfect comfort food for chilly days or casual gatherings. It’s easy to prepare and serves as a satisfying main dish that can be enjoyed with various toppings or sides.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Canned Goods

2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) pinto beans, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

Liquids

1 cup water

Spices and Seasonings

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

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Instructions

Brown the beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it is fully browned. Make sure to break the meat apart as it cooks for even browning. Drain any excess fat to keep the chili from becoming greasy.
Sauté vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the cooked ground beef along with the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, which will take about 5-7 minutes.
Add canned ingredients and water: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, and the cup of water. Stir thoroughly to combine all components into the pot.
Season the chili: Mix in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, sugar, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the chili.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the chili simmer for at least 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to let the flavors meld beautifully.
Adjust seasoning: After simmering, taste the chili and adjust seasonings as needed. You may want to add more cayenne pepper if you prefer extra heat or more salt for taste balance.
Serve: Ladle the hot chili into bowls and serve with your desired toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.

Notes

Simmering the chili for at least two hours helps deepen the flavors, but you can simmer longer for an even richer taste.
Drain excess fat after browning the beef to keep the chili from being too greasy.
Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
Serve with toppings like cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
This chili can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American