Chili Like at That Place Dave Named After His Daughter Copycat

Submitted by Johnney

"Here is my mock version of the chili that is served at that place Dave named after his daughter. You know the place I'm talking about, Don't you? Its great topped with some chopped onions and shredded chedder cheese. If you make it, Please rate it."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (29 ounce) can kidney beans, with liquid
• 1 (29 ounce) can pinto beans, with liquid
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1⁄2 cup diced green chili pepper
• 1⁄4 cup diced celery
• 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups water

directions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat; drain off the fat.
2. Using a fork, crumble the cooked beef into pea-size pieces.
3. In a large pot, combine the beef plus all the remaining ingredients, and bring to a simmer over low heat.
4. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes, for 2 to 3 hours.

5. NOTE:

6. Try topping it with some chopped onion and cheddar cheese.
7. For spicier chili, add 1/2 teaspoon more black pepper.
8. For much spicier chili, add 1 teaspoon black pepper and a tablespoon cayenne pepper.
9. And for a real stomach stinger, add 5 or 6 sliced jalapeno peppers to the pot.
10. Leftovers can be frozen for several months.

Reviews

[paulaporter]

This chili is perfect! I've made chili many times in the past and it has never been a favorite of my husband's. After the first bite of this chili he commented on how good it was and continued through 2 bowls of it! I made a large batch, froze the left-overs and even after thawing it was still great! Thank you so much for posting.

 

[LizFP]

This chili is so good. It does taste like Wendy's. I have made it more than once for Sunday football. It is always a hit

 

[Koz4721]

John- This is real close with a couple notes. The beans need to be rinsed. This was actually part of Dave Thomas' procedure that I learned years ago working at Wendy's. You may be right about the chili powder[3tbs] I've been using 2tbs. The restraunts get their seasoning prepackaged. They also used tomato juice and water.

 

[Jamia Motsinger]

This is great! I haven't had Wendy's chili in a long time, but that doesn't matter to me. I've always used the Chili-o (seasoning packet) because that's what my Mama used when I was growing up. I've tried to make other chili recipes (without the mix), but the spices never were right to me, everything was too bland. This is perfect! I used a can of diced tomatoes and a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles instead of the fresh tomatoes and whole can of chiles. DH doesn't like food as spicy as I do and I have a 4 year old. DH said he wouldn't make it as spicy next time. So I'll just use the tomatoes without the chiles. I thought it was great the way it was. My search for a good chili recipe is over! Thanks so much!

 

[wildtreeherbrep]

Dude! YOU NAILED IT!!! This was awesome...just like Dave's...my favorite. I can't cook w/o changing recipes a tiny bit. Here's what I did. Sauted Onions and celery in small amount of garlic grapeseed oil (any oil will do), then added chiles and remaining ingredients. This speeds up cooking time for those of us always in a hurry. I omitted chili powder and cumin and substituted Wildtree Herbs Chili Mix (NO MSG) and it was delicious. DH hates tomatoes and celery, so i chopped them with food chopper, he never knew. ;) The family loved the chili; although it was a little spicy for my kids, but just add sour cream and cheese. Thanks for this great chili recipe. It's now "THE" chili recipe I use.