Did you know you can make copycat Wendy’s chili in an Instant Pot? You can, and you can make this famous copycat recipe in no time at all.
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Wendy’s Instant Pot Chili Recipe
One of my favorite types of chili is my copycat Wendy’s Chili. It’s flavorful, not too spicy, and full of meat, beans, and veggies.
Now unlike Wendy’s, we are not starting off with meat patties that have been on the grill. We are starting from ground beef. I think this is more sensible for the home cook.
If you want a really authentic experience, you can fry up 2 pounds of ground beef in meat patties if you desire.
What Makes Wendy’s Instant Pot Chili So Good?
This chili delivers the ultimate harmony of savory, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors. Since it contains protein-rich ground beef and two types of beans, this dish exemplifies a well-made chili and reminds you of the famous Wendy’s recipe.
The combination of spices ensures that the chili isn’t overly spicy but also gives you room to experiment if you prefer your chili to have more heat.
Moreover, since you can make it in the Instant Pot, all of the flavors meld together so impressively and with little effort; the appliance does the work for you.
Why This is the Best Wendy’s Chili Instant Pot Recipe
What makes this Instant Pot Wendy’s copycat chili recipe so special? I think it is the tomato juice in the recipe. For me, by adding tomato juice, and not water, the final chili is intense and perfect to warm up your soul.
What makes cooking copycat Wendy’s chili so awesome? You can customize the recipe, my base recipe is how to make it taste like theirs.
You can customize it any way you like. For me, I like to add a teaspoon of chipotle powder to my batch of chili. You can also use your favorite chili seasoning instead of the combination of spices in the recipe.
You can use lean ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey for a lower-fat chili.
Wendy’s Chili Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Ground beef
- Tomato juice
- Canned tomato purée
- Canned red kidney beans, drained
- Canned pinto beans, drained
- Onion
- Celery
- Green bell pepper
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Dried oregano
- Sugar
- Cayenne pepper
How to Make Wendy’s Chili in an Instant Pot
- Use the sauté feature to brown the ground beef.
- Cook the beef until it is 90% or more done. Drain excess grease if desired.
- Add all remaining ingredients.
- Cover the pot and make sure the valve is set to “sealing” (the vent is closed).
- Cook on the manual high setting for 6 minutes.
- Perform a quick release when the cooking time has ended. Wait until all of the remaining pressure is fully released before removing the Instant Pot lid.
- Serve immediately.
What to Serve with Wendy’s Chili
Serve this chili with Fritos, cornbread, or over rice. It’s great for dinner on a cold day or to enjoy while watching football on game day.
Some great chili toppings are sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced jalapeno peppers.
How to Store Leftover Chili
Place the leftovers in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, place them in freezer-safe containers or plastic freezer bags. Freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
How to Reheat Leftovers
There are two methods for reheating chili:
- Microwave the chili in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 1 minute. Stir and continue microwaving in 30-second increments until heated through.
- Stovetop – Put the chili in a pan over medium-low heat and cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Don’t have an Instant Pot? You can make it on the stove top or in a crockpot slow cooker with my copycat Wendy’s chili recipe.
I know you are going to love this Instant Pot Wendys Chili when you make it at home.
Popular Chili Recipes
Are you looking for other famous restaurant recipes for chilis? Be sure to check out these chili recipes.
More Wendy’s Copycat Recipes
- Wendy’s Taco Salad
- Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator
- Wendy’s Frosty
- Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad
- Wendy’s Summer Berry Chicken Salad
- Wendy’s BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad
Popular Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy
- Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup
Be sure to check out more of my hearty soup recipes and the best fast food copycat recipes here on CopyKat.com!
Instant Pot Wendys Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh ground beef
- 1 quart tomato juice
- 1 (29-ounce) can tomato purée
- 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained
- 1 medium-large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chili powder (use less for milder chili)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Using either a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot, use the saute feature to brown the ground beef. Cook the beef until it is 90% or more done. Drain if desired.
- To the pressure cooker add all remaining ingredients.
- Cook on the manual high setting for 6 minutes.
- When the chili is done perform a quick release.
- Serve immediately.
Bambi
I am about to make this and its my first time using one. What pressure setting should I have it at low med high? Thanks!
Vivek Kumar
Thank you so much for this post.
Pete Hess
This is the first real Instapot recipe I’ve made (besides rice) and it turned out really good.
doodles
PS, there’s too much chili powder in this, WAY too much. Wendy’s is very mild. And I don’t remember how much the Wendy’s chili pot holds, maybe 2 gallon, but they rough chopped a whole head of celery and put it in there, so that’s a lot more than a cup. They just laid the whole head on the chopping board and chopped it with the knife til they got to the heel and put it all, including leaves, in the pot.
doodles
Sorry, this doesn’t read correctly. They did not, of course, put the heel in the pot.
doodles
I just thought I’d add this: I worked for Wendy’s in the early 80’s when they had a salad bar, and at night, everything left on the salad bar except the dressing, croutons, and lettuce went into the chili. 🙂 That meant the green onions, cheese, olives, red onions, tomatoes, green peppers, banana peppers, everything. It was the best thing I ever ate in a fast food restaurant. You’re right about the canned beans, and this recipe really was never intended for small batches. Make it, put it in containers and freeze it. It freezes beautifully. I’d also like to add, don’t overcook this chili. It does not do well long term on the stove. Instead, reheat as needed. I think there’s more than 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar in the real one, but adjust to taste. You’re right about the tomato juice!
Mickey
Thanks for sharing. I love this chili!
en iyi bahis siteleri
Made for dinner on a night when my daughter had practice until 9pm. Turned out great! Easy and quick dinner for a busy night!
dawn
Is this good for a slowcooker too?
Serenity
What would the sodium content of this look like? Tomato juice is a sodium bomb.
Judy Presnell
I live alone and only have a 3qt. instant pot.where would I cut down on stuff.
Melissa Lee Ragsdill
Forgot to add, ALL your recipes are Awesome, Great Job, and Keep them Comin On, Don’t stop it Now!!..(great, now I have that tune in my head lol, but whatever, You Site is Fab!! 😉
Melissa Lee Ragsdill
LOVE Wendy’s Chili, and Thanks OSO for sharing!! …(.and since I am an original St.Louis girl, bring on those beans, lol! 😉
piknu
It sounds so great! I have just bought a Instant Pot, can’t wait to try this Wendy’s Chili.
Sharon
Hi, How do I join this group?
Stephanie
Which group?
Darlene mezack
Thanks for giving directions for the instant pot. I am always looking for recipes for things to use it for besides my usual soups and stews. I’m going to make this this week. It’s perfect for the cold weather here in MA. I love trying your recipes. Thanks!!
Stephanie
I hope you enjoy the chili! This recipe came about during one of our rare cold spells in Texas.
michael moore
So – do not HAVE an Instant Pot- not GETTING an Instant Pot- do have a great slow cooker….how do I adapt this to stovetop cooking – any change except for timing?
Or to a slow cooker?
Pat Cody
See the link provided for stove top or crock pot above the recipe.
Stephanie
Sure, this is the link. https://copykat.com/wendys-chili-2/
ludo king
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it,
you might be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back later.
Gay Reece
Yep just freeze what you don’t eat. I use V-8 juice also. Love this chili…
Liz Pacher
Why such hefty ingredients. Please….please….how about ingredients for 4 servings?
Stephanie Manley
I can’t cut this recipe down any further, as I can’t add say 2 half cans of beans. Have you considered freezing the left over chili.
Darlene A. Ross
Sure you can. I have made many recipes using only a cup of something from a can or even less than half a can. One could always add the full 2 cans of beans, or just add one can of one of the beans. 🙂 The recipe wouldn’t be an exact replica, but I don’t think one can go wrong with chili.
Stephanie Manley
Your point is well taken, you are completely right it’s just chili. If i want it to be a copycat of Wendy’s, and not just a great or even passable chili recipe, I really need the ingredients that they add. When I create recipes I try to write them to be a bit standardized. I don’t want people upset that they have a half a can of this, and 2/3 of a can of that open.
Thank you for your comment.
Stephanie
You can change the amount of servings by sliding the portions, it will modify the ingredients.
Rebecca Andrews
I made this on top of the stove this weekend! It was wonderful. Full bodies, smooth and spicey. I added full compliment of chili powder, cumin and red pepper flakes++! It took a little more prep time than my usual throw it together recipe but the end result was worthy it. Thank you for taking the time to copy-cat a recipe.