THE MOST TRUSTED COPYCAT RECIPES
THE MOST TRUSTED COPYCAT RECIPES
Wendy's Chili copycat recipe by Todd Wilbur

Ratings and Reviews of Wendy's Chili

 
Score: 4.89 (votes: 224)
Rating of votes (224)
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Reviews
Mary Thomas
May 23, 2025, 16:57
OMG! Best chili i have ever eaten. Easy to make too…. Win-Win!!
CatB
May 8, 2025, 12:00
This recipe is really good especially in light of the fact that Wendy's has changed their product and now uses a canned base to make their once terrific chili. The 'newer' chili they serve now is a starchy type with a cloying, mucky mouthfeel. The telltale flavor and smell of similar canned chilis is apparent in the Wendy's chili. So thank you for this recipe!
Russell King
Mar 22, 2025, 09:56
I absolutely love this. It was my first on this site and hooked me. I now make it monthly in double batches. This is perfect!
Robin Reyes
Dec 29, 2022, 15:02
This makes a lot of chili! I usually half the recipe and still have leftovers. My family requests this regularly. I use a can of rotel for the tomatoes and chilies. Make sure you let it simmer long enough for the flavors to come together. Definitely tastes better and fresher than Wendy's. You can't go wrong with this recipe!
Terry Yates
Nov 21, 2022, 14:38
This recipe is spot on with one small exception. If you use 3 tablespoons of Chili Powder it will have more kick than Wendys. Which made it perfect for me.
Hannah Clevenger
May 4, 2022, 14:53
I love Wendy’s Chili and have looked for a good copycat recipe for a long time and this is BY FAR THE BEST ONE EVER!!!! I actually prefer this chili over Wendy’s! I’ve made it many times and because it makes so much I enjoy it all week and still don’t get tired of it. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Al Schmidt
May 2, 2022, 12:28
For a brief time in the mid 1990s a Wendy's near me in the South suburbs of Chicago, had All-You- Can-Eat Chili Night every Wednesday. I tried not to miss it and I became very familiar with their Chili. This recipe is as close to the Chili from that time, short of having the spirit of Dave Thomas stop in and make it for me. What really makes this a personal favorite and brings those memories back is the unique aroma. I have never smelled another chili dish like Wendy's and this is it to a "T". Needless to say the taste is also spot on. One word of advice: When you make this, and you will (repeatedly), do not not simmer longer than recommended. The beans will start to break down and thicken the chili too much. It will smell and taste right but the texture will not be the same. (But still, delicious)
Cynthia Bouse
Mar 3, 2022, 07:51
This recipe is so good. I made it for my picky mom's palate, and she requested it all the time. It's my new favorite, and I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you Todd!
Tina Smith
Nov 3, 2021, 09:01
This recipe was some of the best chili I have had. I used slightly less water (1.5 cups) and added a green pepper from my garden. I used my Instant Pot on the chili setting (high pressure 30 min) and a manual release and it was perfect, especially with some cheddar cheese added in.
Doreen Dornbos
Aug 14, 2021, 09:40
This is delicious chili but not a replica of Wendy’s.