Easy Homemade Wendy's Chili (Print version)

A cozy copycat-style Wendy's chili made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and mild chili spices.

# Ingredients:

For the chili base

01 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil
02 - 2 lb (900 g) ground beef, 85/15 or 90/10
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 ribs celery, finely diced
05 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
06 - 1 quart (950 ml) tomato juice
07 - 1 can (29 oz / 822 g) tomato puree
08 - 1 can (10 oz / 283 g) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
09 - 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

For the seasoning

11 - 3 tablespoons chili powder
12 - 1 tablespoon ground cumin
13 - 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
16 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
18 - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
19 - 1 teaspoon white vinegar

# Instructions:

01 - Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 7-9 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles, until fully browned and cooked through.
02 - Add the onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion softens and the vegetables smell savory.
03 - Stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, sugar, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute so the spices warm in the beef mixture.
04 - Pour in the tomato juice, tomato puree, diced tomatoes with green chiles, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Stir well and scrape the bottom of the pot.
05 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the chili thickens and the flavors mellow.
06 - Stir in the vinegar, taste, and adjust salt if needed. Let the chili rest off the heat for 10 minutes before serving.

# Good to know:

01 - Simmer uncovered for a thicker chili, or partially covered for a looser bowl.
02 - The flavor improves after one night in the refrigerator.
03 - Add toppings such as diced onion, cheese, crackers, or hot sauce only when serving.

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