Did you know you can make a copycat for Instant Pot Wendys Chili? You can, and you can have this famous copycat recipe in no time at all.
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. Now if you want a really authentic experience you can fry up 2 pounds of ground beef in meat patties if you desire.
What makes this 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 in a teaspoon of chipotle powder to my batch of 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.
Are you looking for other famous restaurant recipe chilis? Be sure to check out these chili recipes.
Wick Fowler 2 Alarm Chili
Chili’s Original Chili
James Coney Island Chili
Don’t have an Instant Pot? You can make it on the stovetop with my recipe for Copycat Wendy’s Chili. I know you are going to love this Instant Pot Wendys Chili when you make it at home.
Are you looking for more Wendy’s Recipes? Be sure to check out these Wendy’s Recipes
Wendy’s Frosty
Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad
Wendy’s Summer Berry Chicken Salad
Wendy’s BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad
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 immedately.
Wendy Liebowitz says
Made it today, except no pinto beans. Excellent!
BonJon says
I’m a granny, too. Love Wendy’s Chili! Couple years back saw an online a warning from a former, ergo probably teenage, employee saying that their chili was made with leftover burgers! His reaction was “yeow, GROSS!” ROTFLMAO!!! what does he think his mama and granny did with leftovers? pitched them out?? That’s what chili is, a way to use up cooked meat scraps. Sorry, can’t rate the recipe, haven’t made it. It’s next on my list! Love all the celery in Wendy’s chili, so I’ll add more celery.
Wendy Liebowitz says
I made this chili in my Instant Pot today! I had the 2003 version of the recipe in my recipe collection. It is the same, except no pinto beans. I did manual high pressure for 10 minutes and natural release (took a long time, almost an hour). I figured the natural release gave more time for the flavors to combine. Delicious!!! It is at least 10 full bowls from this recipe, so lots of leftovers!
Stephanie says
I modified the recipe after enjoying a couple of bowls of it in recent years, and it had pinto beans in it. From time to time restaurants modify their recipes.
Eugene says
Excellent recipe for chili. Add a bit more cayenne if you like it spicy. Tried with and without the tomato juice. The tomato juice makes the difference. Highly recommended.
Jami says
Made this last night and was delicious; however had to cook it on the stove because I kept getting “Food Burn” message. I don’t know what causes this because I followed recipe exactly and am experienced in cooking as well as cooking with the Instant Pot. I did reach out to Instant Pot because I get this message a lot and this Instant Pot is only one month old.
Stephanie says
I don’t know what causes that message. Was anything burning inside of the pot?
Wendy Liebowitz says
I got burn message too when I did the chili button. My brother said it is when the beans sink to the bottom. Switched it to manual pressure and no issue.
Stephanie says
Thanks for the tip!
Vida says
This was spectacular! I will be making more of this chili. I already passed this recipe and website to my friend and sister. Thank you for producing this awesome recipe. No more visits to Wendy’s.
Anthony Alvey says
When I worked at Wendy’s we would use the left over patties and that made it perfect. This recipe is so close to perfection. Love it
Maureen Kostka says
Just wondering if I par boiled Chicken Breast would I cook it the same?
Stephanie says
I have never thought about putting the chicken in here, it could work. I am not 100% sure you need to par cook it. You could just add in bite-sized pieces and let it cook in the chili.
phil call says
The best ever chili. I love it. Quick and easy and plenty for left overs!! Thanks for posting it. I made it and then lost the recipe!! I hunted u tube for a week and found you again. I am now trying to commit it to memory. I may have it tattooed on my arm so I don’t loose it again. Phil.
Stephanie says
Oh that’s pretty extreme 😉 I am glad you liked it.
R says
I just got my first “burn” message. I drained the beef. It had not come to pressure. I turned if off, opened the lid, stirred and then added another 1/2 cup of water and restarted the process. Just came to pressure…hope all is well.
Jocelyne Comeau says
This was so good I just made it yummy – Thank you for the Recipe.
Jocelyne
Sandra Minor says
Found this recipe and site as I was looking for a great chili recipe for my daughter’s boyfriend who requested chili as they are coming to visit this weekend from up North. I’ve had Wendy’s chili and I enjoyed very much. I knew this recipe was a winner the minute I found it and read the ingredients. Love the ease of how it all is supposed to come together. While I have never made chili ever, (my husband was always the chili maker in our family) I truly believe that this recipe is going to be one that I make again and again. Thanks for a great recipe!
Can’t wait to make it.
Stephanie says
I hope you enjoy this chili.
Pak Keung Yip says
Wow ! It was so good ! It’s 90% close to the taste of Wendy’s! I used the 90% ground beef and my wife said the meat is too lean compare with Wendy’s! I think the salty taste is just perfect ! But I increased the vege portion and make the chili more chewable ! 6 mins is perfect for the vege and the beans still great ! Overall it’s a very healthy dishes ! Thanks ?
Kathy says
Loved the instant pot recipe for Wendy’s chili.
Any more copycat instant pot recipes??
LAURETTA SOMERVILLE says
I CAN’T WAIT WENDY’S CHILI. I LOVE IT I WOULD ALSO LOVE A RECIPE FOR CHRISTOS ROSA MARINA SOUP. IT’ FANTASTIC & IT’S A FAMILY RECIPE THAT THEY DON’T GIVE OUT.. I’M 83 AND LOVE THAT SOUP.
Stephanie says
Thank you for your request, I don’t have the recipe for Christos Rosa Marina Soup, but I will keep it in mind.
Ihvebeenschooled says
Loved this recipe, I hate going to the drive through and ordering 8 or 10 servings, coming back home, and pouring it into a pot. I then have to dispose of the trash so my family doesn’t know.
Heidi Minett says
Lol! This made my day!
Duck life says
I love that this recipe doesn’t start with old hamburger patties. The amount of chili is just right.