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A low-carb keto chili copycat recipe that is similar to Wendy’s and total comfort food in a bowl.
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!
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?!
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.
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!
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 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
- 3 pounds ground beef (I use 85/15), drained, reserving 2 tbsp of fat
- 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, finely diced
- 2/3 cups celery, finely diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups tomato juice
- 15 oz can crushed tomatoes in puree
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons monk fruit, granular (I use Lakanto)
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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.
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.
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!
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!
