Cheaper & Healthier Wendy's Chili Dupe For You!

"Wendy's" chili your way. Cheaper. At home. Any time you like. Their big "secret?" Sugar, and probably butter. Sugar helps cut the acidity of the tomato and "caramelize" the ground beef. Butter adds richness and brings out some of the other flavors.

Let's get started. I recommend a slow cooker. A large can of tomato juice, dark red kidney beans. They reportedly use dark red and "pink." I prefer the richness of dark red. Just personal preference. One to 2 small cans of diced tomato. Go ahead and start those on medium or high in the slow cooker.

Brush frozen hamburger patties with butter and a light sprinkling of sugar. Diabetics like me can substitute a little honey or even artificial sweetener to taste. A secret I've learned to more evenly browned hamburger patties in the air fryer is to stand them up against the edges and separate them so they brown more evenly all around. You can also pick up metal mesh or silicone risers fairly inexpensively to separate the patties for better, more even browning.

Another of their secrets? In addition to diced onion, tomato and green peppers, they add celery. Sounds weird, but I love the tender pieces of celery in their chili. Probably also cuts the acidity. I also do not think they use fresh any of that. Evil empire Walmart has a store brand bag of frozen diced onion, green peppers and celery, so I'm sure you could find it in any decent grocery store. You'll want to add this very close to the end of the cooking time so you don't wind up with mush.

Stir in one to two packets of chili seasoning mix or create your own blend of spices to the slow cooker, then chop your burger patties into the desired size and add. The great thing about all these dupes is you customize to your own personal taste, making healthier swaps when you choose, although Wendy's chili reportedly the "healthiest" thing on their menu. Maybe add a tablespoon or two of butter to the mix, let it simmer. I do my chili for 12 hours on high. I like tender beans. I would add the frozen onion, green pepper and celery blend no more than 30 minutes before turning off the cooker or even after.

American readers from the north might want to add cinnamon powder to taste for a Skyline Chili flare, although I personally detest cinnamon in my chili. I'm southern, so I love peanut butter sandwiched between regular old saltine crackers crunched up in my chili and shredded cheese. Try shredded Colby Jack. Mild and delicious. Sometimes a little dollop of sour cream. Whatever floats your boat.

Shop the look!

The same size, brand, everything is showing $7.97 on Walmart dot scam right now. I'm finding it at iHerb for $2.27 as of this writing. Wow! Screw Walmart.

With that screw deal from Walmart, even the two options below which seem even better and tastier would be a Hell of a bargain.

​Frontier Co-op, Mexican Seasoning, with Chilis, Garlic & Onion, 2 oz (56 g)

Frontier Co-op, Mexican Fiesta Seasoning, with Chilis, Tomato & Cumin, 2.12 oz (60 g)