Just Like Wendy's Chili

After trying several Wendy's chili recipe clones and adjusting them to my tastes, I've concocted what I think is the best. Serve it topped with finely diced white onions and/or shredded cheese. Enjoy!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 326 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as RO*TEL)
• 1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained
• 1 (14 ounce) can pinto beans, undrained
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Press ground beef into the hot oil to form one large patty; let the bottom brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2

Stir and break browned beef into crumbles. Continue to cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes longer.

Step 3

Stir celery, onion, and bell pepper into beef and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Pour in stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and water. Break apart large chunks of stewed tomatoes. Stir in chili seasoning. Stir in kidney and pinto beans. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.

Step 6

Mix vinegar into chili just before serving.