Crockpot Wendy’s Chili

This copycat recipe for Wendy’s chili is made in the crockpot to keep things simple. Enjoy a hot bowl of chili with your favorite fixings whenever you are ready.

If you love Wendy’s chili, this is the perfect way to get that flavor at home. It is a simple slow cooker recipe that is perfect for game day or a busy weeknight dinner.

As the weather gets cooler and football season gets started, chili becomes a staple on our menu. There is something cozy about knowing it’s cooking and being able to get a bowl whenever you’re hungry.

A lot of times, we make venison chili as it is one of our favorites. Sometimes, we are in the mood for something different, like pulled pork chili or buffalo chicken chili.

When nostalgia sets in, though, it is Wendy’s chili that I want. When I was a kid, my Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw introduced me to Wendy’s taco salad.

It was just a green salad served with a cup of chili, some cheese, corn chips, and sour cream. I always saved a little chili to eat on its own and dumped the rest on the salad.

Every once in a while, I still want that flavor. Sometimes, I just eat it as chili. Other times, I go all out at make the whole taco salad.

It is delicious both ways. So make a pot soon to see for yourself.

Can you make this recipe on the stove?

Yes. If you don’t want to wait for the slow cooker to do its thing, you can make this chili in a large pot on the stove.

Just bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the chili to simmer for about 30 minutes before serving.

Can you make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Yes, but it needs to be a big 8 quart pressure cooker to make sure it stays below the max fill line. You can even brown the ground beef in the Instant Pot using the sautee function.

Then, add the remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Manually release the pressure, and you’ll be ready to dig in.

Storing Leftovers

Put leftover chili in airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze chili for up to 3 months.

Enjoy the leftovers just the way you had them the first time if you want. Chili actually has a tendency to get better when it is reheated.

You can also serve it over a baked potato or as a chili dog. You can even stir in some pasta to make chili mac.

If you want more ideas to serve with chili, skillet cornbread or loaded cornbread are great options. So are homemade corn muffins or homemade cheese crackers.

For more tasty inspiration, check out my collection of soup, stew, and chili recipes.