Christy’s Crock Pot Chili
Any southerner worth their salt has a great chili recipe, preferably a signature one. This is why I set out several years back trying out this one and that, tweaking and adding until I came up with one I could call my own.
Although I dearly love my mother’s chili, I wanted something a bit more involved (in terms of ingredients, not effort!). My favorite chili away from home has always been Wendy’s (yeah, I’m a simple gal), and so I knew when I came across a copycat recipe for their chili, I had found the base I wanted to start from.
I’ve tweaked it slightly over the years for my personal taste and for this tutorial I am making it in the crock pot for all of you. This prevents anyone from having to stand over the stove and fret over it while it simmers and the flavor develops fully. If you brown and freeze your meat ahead of time (like I do), this becomes a “toss it in and turn it on” recipe that will make it great for a quick and easy meal!
I remember reading a forum once where someone said they would never eat Wendy’s chili because they used the previous days leftover hamburger patties as the basis for the meat. Rather than be turned off by that like this person obviously was, my thoughts were “WOW, thats a neat idea!!!”
Being in a family with a brother who caters and a father who frequently sponsors large bbq’s for Fraternal Order Of Police members, I often get the call from time to time “We have a bunch of hamburgers lefover, do you want them?”. I take all that is offered, crumble them up and place them in freezer bags to use in this chili at a later date! *
For this, you’ll need: Pinto Beans, Kidney Beans, Chopped Green Chilies, Onion, Ground Beef, Tomato Sauce, Tomatoes (or canned, diced tomatoes), Celery, Cumin, and Chili Powder. (Y’all, my 29 ounce can of tomato sauce was camera shy)
Ingredients Instructions
*Food should not be kept above 45 degrees and below 145 degrees for more than two hours should be disposed of. This is the rule of thumb I learned in college. I have recently seen where someone stated that danger zone time limit is four hours, but I stick with two to be safe. Basically, food can be kept at room temp safely for two hours but should be refrigerated or frozen after that in order to avoid food safety issues which I won’t go into now…because I want you to have your appetite for chili!
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Oct 12 2008. Filed under Crock Pot, Freezes Well, Soups and Stews.
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That looks really good! I love Wendy’s chili too, and I also thought that using the old patties was a brilliant idea – saves food waste which saves the consumers (us) money!!
I love the little conversation between you and your son at the end of the post, that is just too cute!
This recipe looks great to me and I will be making this tomorrow, Yum. Now onto the leftover patty deal. I think that was a rumor although it is a brilliant idea. From my understanding, all chili is processed and packaged for Wendy’s and is frozen in cup before they zap it for ya’all to enjoy. I do like the idea of saving the hamburger patties though and will add that to my money saving pocketful of ideas.
It wasn’t a rumor. My friend was a manager at Wendy’s for years, and she told me they used the leftover cooked burgers to make the chili. She made often herself. I expressed a little dismay over it, and she assured me it was good beef…not left out too long…and I know to this day she still eats Wendy’s chili, s o I trust it enough to eat it too. It’s really a no-brainer for Wendy’s to do it that way…saves a lot of money! Better to use leftover beef in a chili than to simply discard it. That was probably Dave Thomas’ brilliant way of using leftover beef…make chili out of it. Probably how it ended up being a year-round menu item…most places only sell it in the winter. Very smart!
StephanieHey!!! I am SO GLAD you like the old patties idea, too! I was kind of afraid some of y’all might think it was gross – thereby proving me frugal and cheap to the point of being…well..gross!
lol
I’ve heard far too many stories in my lifetime of past generations going hungry as kids, I just can’t stand to let food go to waste if I can help it!
I’m so glad my kids have never known hunger. Folks just don’t know how lucky we all are!
Hehe, wasn’t that precious? He is such a sweetie.
I’m so excited tonight! My washing machine went kaput two weeks ago and I’ve been sending loads to my mother’s house. TONIGHT, I HAVE A NEW WASHING MACHINE!! WOOOHOO!!
I never had so much fun doing laundry before!!!
Christy
It’s the simple things that brings joy, isn’t it?
It’s still a little hot here in SE Texas for me to start craving chili. Probably by Halloween . . .
This looks good. I love chili with cheese and sour cream. I grew up eating chili all the time. That was big thing with my dad.:) Guess that’s where I got from. Hope you are having a great night.:)Thanks for all your hard work!!
Sharon:)
Your chili looks great..sounds like your son agreed! My little girl just likes to pick the meat out, the little carnivore.
Ok, using the left-over hamburger patties is such a great idea…I would never have thought about it.
Hey Sharon! Thank you so much for all of your kindness!!!! I always look forward to your comments so much! Its nine o’clock in the morning but you talking about cheese and sour cream just determined that I’m having chili for breakfast! LOL
Julie Haha, that is SO funny about your daughter!!!! They do the strangest things!! When my son was little, he LOVED corndogs, BUT he wanted me to “take the corn off” before he’d eat them!
Jillybean hehe, Cheapies of the world, unite!!! I have a lot of those “Wow, why didn’t I think of that?” moments, myself! I love it when I find a way to use a shortcut and save money to boot!!!
Christy
Wow! Christy, have you been reading my mind? I recently realized how good Wendy’s chili is and have been looking for a similar recipe. AND the food processor you have is THE one I’ve had my eye on for a couple years now. AND we have the same crock pot now! LOL My mom is flying up from GA for a visit (I’m so stinkin’ excited!) and I’ll be making this for us to have. Thank you!
Love the new format, by the way.
)
Looks really good! In elementary school. whenever we had Chili, we had cinnamon rolls, too. So ever since then, I LOVE Chili and cinnamon rolls. Especially if the chili is really spicy. Yum! I also make cornbread with my chili. Have I ever mentioned I love bread? I made your Hoe Cake this past week, it turned out perfect (exactly like your pictures) and tasted great. So I’m never making it again because I’m pretty sure I could eat the whole thing – and would end up weighing 300 lbs. Thanks for your great recipes!
Christy!! I am sitting on the couch and my stomach is growling. I would love a bowl of this with come crusty bread. Can you fix me up
April Hehe! What can I say, you have EXCELLENT tastes! ~laughs~
You got the crock pot? Do you not just LOVE it? It’s one of my favorite appliances!! I’m glad you like Wendy’s chili as much as I do! Its also a great protein filled lunch for a very low price! Still, making your own gives you lots more without having to dispose of those little yellow cups! I hope you have a wonderful visit with your Mom! She’ll likely enjoy the cold weather! We still haven’t gotten a firm grasp on fall yet.
Thank you, I’m getting used to the new format and I really am enjoying it. I hope y’all will, too!
Rachie oh lord, I remember that!!!! Now I need cinnamon rolls!!!!!!!!!! I’m so glad your hoe cake turned out well! I was at my mothers when this comment came through on my phone and I read it to her and we both had a good laugh! We can sympathize entirely!!
Zesty You just stay right there, soon as I get the tea done and whip up some dessert I’ll shoot it right over!!!
Hope y’all are having a great day!
Christy
This looks delish! I make chili almost the same way you do. I haven’t made my first pot this fall but now I’m craving it! My kids (all grown)like peanut butter and syrup sandwiches with chili.
The new design looks awesome! Good job!
I like the new design, it’s more streamlined. Really neat!
Hey….look at you, missy. Pretty new blog
Do you have Lowes Foods where you are? Well, if you do, don’t buy chili powder from them. I bought some, thinking it was chili powder, you know…dried,ground mixed chilies. Well, I used it in my chili-lime cupcakes for a food event and they tasted AWFULLL! Why? Because it was “chili powder” for chili: oregano, cumin, thyme, and…chili powder. I was pissed (can I say that here??). So I will definitely buy Walmart brand chilies if I need to, knowing that they’re not as hot. Thank you.
Yum! Looking good Christy!
And… your site looks beautiful! Nice revamp!
*hug* you deserve a warm hug, cuz you’re awesome!
I like what you’ve done with the place! Very nice.
It’s starting to get a tad cooler…football is now in full swing…seems like it might be time to crack out the chili recipe. Thanks for this one, I’m going to give it a go this weekend and see if I can merge bits our your recipe with my grandmothers.
Oh, wow..Chili sounds so good today!
I know what I’m fixing for dinner tomorrow (in my sad little old crock pot that needs updating!)
I made this last weekend and it was GREAT! My husband and I love Wendy’s chili. The only thing that I did different was I used frozen chopped onions….(I hate to chop onions!) I froze what we didn’t eat. Later in the week, I came home from work, defrosted and warmed the chili…and we had wonderful taco salad! A bag of chips, a bag of shredded cheese, a bag a lettuce, salsa, and the chili…such a quick, GREAT meal!! THANKS!
Holy heck this was good! I finally got a chance to use the 6qt crock on my slow cooker! LOL Thanks to your tip about using leftover grilled burgers I saved up the last few from our cookouts and also some steak in the freezer. It was a great way to use up tired ole’ leftovers! I also had some corn on the cob to use so mom cut it off the cob for me (love having her visit..hehe) and I roasted it in the oven and added it in. Today is my 8th anniversary and my hubby had FIVE bowls and was certainly a happy camper. I’ve got plenty for leftovers AND some to freeze. Thanks for another winning recipe.
)
Christy!
You have done it again….
Oh this chili….
Made it!
Loved it!
I had to tweak it because I didn’t have kidney beans (really don’t like them anyway) buttttttt I did have some left over pintos that I made from your recipe last week (OH YUMMERS!) and I used those without draining them and used a little less water.
with your help I may turn out to be a pretty good cook after all!
Taylor35
OMG… THE most awesome chili I ever tasted. Here’s the best part… I’ve had to say that 4 days in a row! Well, I froze the rest but up til now I’ve been in Chili Heaven. Alrighty then, I did tweak Christy’s recipe, by substituting 14.5 oz can of College Inn Vegetable Garden Brothfor the 2 cups of water. I omitted added salt and added diced sweet bell pepper. For added flavor, I went with 50/50 ground beef/ground mild italian sausage. I know it’s not healthier than your recipe, but it’s THE BOMB. Kudos! – Chef BEE, Chicago IL
This is my new favorite chili recipe -it was tasty! I used Guinness (Draught)instead of the water and two cans of chili beans (hot) one can of green chile & lime refried beans instead of the kidney and pinto beans.
[...] patties to cool and them crumble them up before placing them in a freezer bag. Next time you make chili, taco soup, beef casserole, or the like, just pull out your crumbles and toss them in. You’ll [...]
When I make chili I use the black beans because a few years ago I read that they are better for you. I don’t know how much the writer knew, but I haven’t had any complaints from the people that eat it. Some of the grandkids asked why I used black beans the first time they had it and I said they are better for you and don’t question Grandma’s reasons. lol
He liked it! Hubby liked it! I was a little wary of this one because he likes his chili a certain way and has a favorite that a family members brings to our annual bonfire. But, it was “husband-approved” Woo hoo! I even thought ahead and put some in the freezer for a quick meal later! I just may be getting the hang of the kitchen stuff! hehe
i was wondering if you or any of your viewers had any recipes for white chicken chili…. if so, please email them to me at tgosby@scottsboro.org. thank you
Just made the recipe the other day and it was absolutely delicious!! My boyfriend is not a fan of onions, so we added mushrooms instead, which still came out delicious! Thanks so much for a great slow cooker chili recipe!!!!!!! Perfect for winter!
[...] Christy’s Crock Pot Chili by Christy Jordan — Christy says, “Although I dearly love my mother’s chili, I wanted something a bit more involved (in terms of ingredients, not effort!).” Her recipe is on Southern Plate. [...]
Hey, Christy! I love chili, and your recipe looks amazing. My 3-year-old and 1-year-old boys will love it, along with me and my hubby.
I wrote a blog post of my own about chili recipes, and I included your post in it – check it out here:
http://blog.recipelion.com/26-wonderful-chili-recipes/
Christy, I love chili!! A lady I know who sells herbs and spices over the internet, attended a lot of chili competitions and got some tips from contestants. After talking to her, I add a couple of teaspoons of INSTANT coffee, and a couple of teaspoons of baking cocoa.
You can’t taste either, but there is a depth of flavor that takes my chili to a whole nother level. I also love it served over rice. And the rice will stretch it when a bunch of company drops by. I love crackers or cornbread with mine as well.
I love your website.
Being in Louisiana and across the border from Texas, it s a crime to put celery or beans in chili. I agree when all the kids were home (6) and I made mixuam wages, we added beans to strech it to fit the group. Smiling. Now, we dont use beans, celery, tomatoes, or sauce. If we did, it wouldnt be southeren chili. LOL. I like cornbread or biscuits with mine. ave a grea day.
Johnny in Louisiana
Oh, it could still be “southern” just not traditional TEXAS chili. Be like Panera Bread, and call it steak soup…lol.
I’ve lived in Texas and Louisiana a fair chunk of my life and to me, chili is not chili if it doesn’t have beans! I’ve even made chili without beans. I’m making this recipe right now and am using only 1 pound meat and an extra can of beans. Not using the celery but that’s because we don’t like it, not because it’s “unauthentic.” I definitely am using tomatoes though! The great thing about cooking is you can add whatever you want to what you cook and make it your own. I’m not saying you’re doing this and you seem like a nice person, but I think some people like to be really uptight about recipes because it makes them feel superior. What does it really matter what other people put in their own dishes?
I love a good baked potato, topped with chili, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream ! My mouth is watering already, guess I better get busy !
Aren’t crock pots just the grandest things on earth !! No kitchen should be without one ! I have given many as bridal shower gifts ! Happy cooking all !
Hi. I could live on Wendy’s chili, BLT wraps and Pico chicken wrap. I’ve made your chili before and kicked it up and around and now it’s Don’s
Thats what I like to hear!
I bet Don’s chili is the best!
I love chili also. I use hamburger meat, chopped onions, 2 cans of drained chili beans, a package of McCormick chili seasoning, and I large can of tomato juice. I make what we call chili stack. Add corn chips in the bottom of your bowl. Then some chili, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, shredded cheese, and sour cream. It is DELICIOUS! It is like eating a taco on top of chip. My kids love this.
I can’t wait to try this! I work in a payroll office at a construction site. Some of the big dogs are coming down from PA Wednesday, and this is what they will be eating along with some cornbread muffins. Every recipe of yours I have prepared has been wonderful. Thank you Christy and keep up the good work!
I took this to work and I came home with an empty crock pot. Just another successful recipe from Southern Plate! We also had the pizza rolls over the weekend. I have a 13 year old son that is 6’1″ 190 lbs so I hear a lot of what’s for dinner, what’s for supper. He really appreciates your recipes, too. Thanks so much Christy!
I’m ALWAYS on the look out for a great chili recipe!! You are quickly making up my 2 week menu be ALL Southern Plate recipes!!
~giggles~ Can i come eat too?
Oh my goodness!! I just made this recipe and it is wonderful!! I love it!! And I didn’t even put the beans in it!!
So glad you liked it Laura!!
Burger King started putting the leftover hamburgers in before. Wendy s. Burger King has a smoke flover to them and a better flavor. I like Wendy s too, better yetmy homemade Texas chilli. No beans. Smiling.
Have a great day
Johnny
Just this morning I said to myself, “Self…you need to look up Christy’s Chili recipe and make some!” Came home from shopping and there you had this post waitin’ for me! You’re so sweet and thoughtfuo to do that for me! ~snickers~ I love Wendy’s Chili when eating out, too! They say great minds think alike…not too sure about mine…but I KNOW your mind is great!! Thanks for re-running this post when you did!
Thoughfuo…thoughfuo…is that a word?!! You know I meant ‘thoughtful’, right?!! LOL
I’ve been using leftover grilled hamburgers (from the freezer) for years in my chili and when I don’t have any I add a little liquid smoke!
We made your chili last night, and it was great! I have some warming back up for lunch now. I have a regular chili I always make, but I’m always looking for a new one for a switch. Yours tastes and looks a lot like mine, but is a little hotter, and doesn’t have that slight sweetness that mine has. I’m always looking for a chili that is without the sweetness for a different flavor. When I make mine without sweetening a little, it just doesn’t taste right to me, so I needed a different recipe so I wouldn’t expect a certain flavor. I didn’t have celery, so left it out, and only used about half the beans b/c that seemed like way too many for us. Plus, I don’t like kidney beans, so I just added 2 15 oz. cans of pintos, rinsed (I don’t like using the liquid from cans of beans). This was cheaper to make than mine, and will now be my go-to recipe. If I want the slightly sweet kind, I’ll just add pinch of sugar when I feel like having that kind. Thanks for posting it!
I’m making this for my family today while we are all “iced in” over in Georgia. It’s a perfect day for it!
[...] Crock Pot Chili [...]
How many people will this chili recipe serve. I am taking this to a Super Bowl party.
This is some good chili! I made a giant vat of it in the biggest crock of my crock pot (I have the same awesome 3 crock slow cooker as you), it was my first time using the big crock. I did tweak the recipe a little bit to fit our tastes, but the result is just wonderful. There are only 2 of us and I have enough chili to freeze for 3 meals (so 6 servings) plus about 5 servings to go in the fridge. It’s great for chili dogs too! Yum! I’ve tried many red chili recipes but haven’t been won over by any until now. Usually I make white chili but it’s great to finally have a wonderful crock pot red chili recipe
Made this last night!! I used No Salt Added Tomato Sauce and skipped the salt, couldn’t tell it a bit!
Delicious!
I’m making this today! Smells SO good!
I made this for my picky family a few months ago and they LOVED it! I am about to make it again due to the repeated hints they have been giving lately about “that amazing chili Mama made… once…” lol Thanks for helping me please all of my picky eaters with one simple recipe!
[...] fresh peaches that were about to go bad, that soooo yummy & great with ice cream. I made your chili & my kid actually ate it & liked it! The recipe is a keeper! It’s the first chili we [...]