Wendy’s Chili

The recipe is so easy and delicious, you need to try it and I think you will be hooked! In the Notes I have the slow cooker instructions in case that works better for you.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground beef – 85/15

1 yellow onion – diced

2 stalks celery – chopped

1 green bell pepper – chopped

29 oz. canned tomato sauce

29 oz. canned kidney beans – not drained

29 oz. canned pinto beans – not drained

28 oz. canned tomatoes – chopped and not drained

1 diced jalapeño – de-seeded and de-veined

1 Tbsp. cumin powder

¼ cup chili powder

1 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. salt

1 cup water or tomato juice

1 Tbsp. butter

Directions

In a heavy bottomed stockpot brown the ground beef, breaking it up into small pieces.

Drain the fat.

Add the rest of the ingredients – except the butter – and bring to a boil.

Lower heat and bring to a simmer and cook uncovered – make sure to keep at a simmer level – for 2 hours stirring occasionally.

Add in the butter and stir until fully melted and incorporated.

Serve.

Notes
• Slow Cooker: This is perfect, and you don’t have to keep a watchful eye! Just brown the ground beef, drain, then combine the rest of the ingredients (except butter) in a slow cooker. Cook on low for about 4 hours. Stir in the butter and it is ready to serve!

• Toppings: These are fun, and everyone can tailor their bowl how they like. Fritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, black olives, extra jalapeño, diced red onion… anything your family loves.

• Vegetarian: Substitute vegetarian crumbles for the ground beef and it is still delicious!

• Beans: Sometimes I use pinto beans with jalapeños instead of plain pinto beans. Also, if you don’t have the specific beans on hand, you can substitute the beans. I have used Great Northern beans and they were great.

• You can substitute a small can of green chilis in place of jalapeño.

• Make sure you keep it on low and barely a simmer. Stir occasionally to make sure the chili doesn’t stick to the bottom.

• Storing: Cool leftover chili and put in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to 5 days.

• Freezing: Cool the chili, place in airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months.