Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (2024)

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A low-carb keto chili copycat recipe that is similar to Wendy’s and total comfort food in a bowl.

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (1)

If you’re a Wendy’s chili fan, you’re in luck with this recipe!

This killer keto knock-off hits the spot! Wendy’s chili is a menu staple that many adore. It feels almost within the low-carb reach with all that meaty goodness, but the beany badness really ruins everything!

Our keto test kitchen went into full swing to create a no-bean version that reminds us of the Wendy’s chili we love and long for… and it’s been a favorite ever since!

Love Wendy’s but not sure what’s okay to eat? Check out our Wendy’s Keto Dining Guide!

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (2)

I learned something unusual about Wendy’s chili recipe along the way.

While researching all the deets on the real Wendy’s chili ingredients, I stumbled upon some interesting information. Supposedly, the trademark flavor of Wendy’s beloved chili comes from… drum roll please… left-over, already-cooked hamburger patties! WHAAAAT?!

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (3)

In 2017, an employee reported that the ground beef used in the signature chili comes from leftover hamburgers. The patties are left on the grill until a burger order is placed. If the burgers aren’t used in a certain amount of time, they’re “discarded” and placed in a container to be refrigerated. Then they’re boiled down and chopped up to be used in good, old (pun intended) Wendy’s chili.

Wendy’s states that everything it does follows health and safety procedures and that using leftover hamburger meat cuts down on food waste. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being economical—after all, our landfills aren’t getting any smaller.

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (4)

You’ll love the taste of our keto knock-off chili over the original!

Yep, that’s right, this Wendy’s copycat keto chili tastes fabulous, even without the added flavor of griddled hamburgers and carb-laden beans. Who needs ’em!

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (5)

I recently loaded leftover Wendy’s low-carb chili on top of an enormous hot dog covered with cheddar cheese, and I must say, I certainly didn’t miss the beans or the bun! Mmm, mmm… This is some serious, stick-to-your-ribs home-cookin’!

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (6)

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (7)

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (8)

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (9)

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (10)

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (11)

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (12)

Print

Wendy's Copycat Keto Chili

yield: 8 SERVINGS

prep time: 15 MINUTES

cook time: 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES

total time: 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES

A low-carb version of Wendy's famous chili that really curbs the craving!

Ingredients

Directions

1

In a large pot, brown the ground beef until just done. Drain most of the fat, leaving about two tablespoons.

2

To the pot with beef, add the onions, celery, bell peppers, and chopped fresh tomatoes. Cook over medium-high heat for another five minutes.

3

Now add the tomato juice, crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, monk fruit, and all the seasonings. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

4

Uncover and remove from heat for 10 minutes before serving. If desired, top with shredded cheddar cheese and finely diced onions. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield: 6 cups, Serving Size: 3/4 cup
Amount Per Serving:483 Calories | 34.9g Fat | 11.8g Total Carbs | 3.5g Fiber | 5.8g Sugar | 1.1g Sugar Alcohol | 31.3g Protein | 7.2g Net Carbs

Brought to you by Hip2Keto.

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (13)

Tips for making the best keto copycat Wendy’s chili recipe:

  • If you’re looking for a bit more oomph in your chili, take the heat up a notch by adding a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mix or spice up your individual bowl with a healthy splash of hot sauce.
  • Think outside the bowl! If you’re stuck in a dinner rut, you can get a little creative! Use your leftover chili to make “loaded broccoli”—steam the broccoli, top it with this chili, and add cheddar cheese and sour cream. Voila!
  • The chili is on the thicker side. If it’s too thick for your liking, simply add some beef broth to make it more of a broth-like soup.

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (14)

If someone served you this at a Wendy’s drive-thru, I bet you wouldn’t realize it was missing the beans!

This Wendy’s copycat keto chili recipe has become a weeknight go-to in my house. The kids love it (they don’t realize it’s missing the beans either), the leftovers are versatile, and it’s an easy-to-fix, all-in-one-pot meal!

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (15)

Here’s what my teammate Lina had to say about my copycat keto Wendy’s chili recipe:

“I consider myself a chili enthusiast. I love a good chili cookoff, chili burger, chili dog, and anything chili related including the famous Wendy’s version. This recipe is so darn GOOD! I love the bit of sweetness it has. There’s lots of flavor without being too spicy and it’s ultra-filling with all the ground beef. I added cheese and sour cream and was a happy camper! You’ll love this Wendy’s copycat recipe so much!”

Try this Taco Bell naked chicken chalupa that’s totally keto-friendly!

Wendy's Chili Copycat Recipe—A Keto Version That Curbs the Craving! (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat Wendy's chili on keto diet? ›

Sadly there are actually NO sides available for a keto dieter at Wendys. Yes, that even includes the delicious chili. There are just too many beans! They do however have diet co*ke and zero sugar lemonade that make great keto low sugar drink options.

What is Wendy's chili made out of? ›

Chili Concentrate: Chili Sauce (Water, Tomato Juice, Tomatoes, Calcium Chloride, Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, Dried Chilies, Spices, Flavor Enhancer [Dextrose, Salt, Yeast Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Modified Corn Starch], Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Xanthan gum), Beans (Pink Beans, Red ...

Why is chili not keto friendly? ›

Is chili keto-friendly? Classic bean-based chili is not keto-friendly, as beans are high in carbohydrates. Luckily you can still make a keto-friendly chili without the beans. All of the traditional chili spices, such as chili powder, ground cumin and smoked paprika, are great flavor-boosters for keto foods.

What makes Wendy's chili taste so good? ›

Wendy's chili is made with a blend of beef and spices that create its unique flavor. The beef is slow-cooked and blended with a mix of chili spices, including chili pepper, cumin, garlic, and onion.

What does Wendy's use as fillers in their meat? ›

Our signature square hamburger patties have no fillers or additives because we know the beef is what matters when it comes to making the best hamburger in the game.

What are the lowest carb beans? ›

Highest and Lowest Carb Beans

Among these, black soybeans and green beans have the lowest carbs, potentially making them better for a keto diet. On the other hand, chickpeas, pinto beans, and navy beans have high carbs. You might want to avoid these if you're strictly following a keto diet.

What peppers can you eat on keto? ›

Red, orange, and yellow bell peppers are awesome for adding much-needed vitamins to your keto diet, and satisfy a desire for crunch without the carbs of most snack foods,” such as potato chips, crackers, pretzels, and cookies, Fear says.

What is dirty keto? ›

In essence, dirty keto is a variation of the keto diet (a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet) that allows you to consume whatever you want as long as it meets your macro goals. While it still reduces carb intake, it does not pay attention to the nutritional value of the fats and protein consumed.

How unhealthy is Wendy's chilli? ›

According to the Wendy's website, a large chili contains 1,270 milligrams of sodium. This is approximately 55 percent of the recommended daily sodium allowance for adults, which is under 2,300 milligrams. Furthermore, the chili has 15 grams of total fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, and 31 grams of total carbs.

Is Wendy's chili healthier than fries? ›

Best Side: Chili

Surprisingly, a small cup of chili contains less calories than a side salad. And it's loaded with 15 grams of protein, too. Opt for one of these instead of a starchy, 300-calorie baked potato or 320-calorie small order of fries.

Does Wendy's use old hamburgers for chili? ›

Yes, the meat in Wendys chili is made leftover from unsed burgers that are past the hold hold time. The chili meat is good for seven days after, usually is used within the next day.

Why are tomatoes not keto? ›

Though botanically a fruit, raw tomatoes are considered keto-friendly, as they contain significantly fewer carbs than the same quantity of fruit. The same cannot be said of sundried tomatoes, as well as many other prepackaged tomato-based products, which are often sweetened with sugar.

Which beans are keto? ›

On a strict keto diet, your best bet for beans is to choose either green beans or black soybeans. While green beans are typically prepared more like a vegetable than a bean, black soybeans are a great alternative to other, starchier beans in soups, bean dips, refried beans, or other recipes.

Is peanut butter OK on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What is the sand in Wendy's chili? ›

Wendy's Chili: Sand

One key ingredient to Wendy's chili is an anti-caking agent called silicon dioxide. Street name: sand or glass powder.

Does Wendy's use real beef in their chili? ›

Yes, the meat in Wendys chili is made leftover from unsed burgers that are past the hold hold time.

Is Wendy's chili made with leftover burgers? ›

Okay, so we told you that Wendy's uses its leftover hamburger patties to make its chili, but how does that work, exactly? When a Wendy's chef makes a hamburger patty, it will stay fresh for a little while. However, if they make too many and leave them sitting out for too long, the meat will start to dry out.

What gives chili its distinct flavor? ›

Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

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