Fakeout Kitchen

Wendy's-Style Chili

This version replaces industrial seed oils and hidden sugars with grass-fed beef and authentic spices for a hearty, nutrient-dense meal.

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb organic grass-fed ground beef
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 medium organic yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large organic red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup organic crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15oz) organic kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15oz) organic pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup organic beef bone broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp raw honey
  • Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Clean swaps

How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.

  • Canola or soybean oil (typical restaurant) → Avocado oil — Avoids inflammatory industrial seed oils.
  • Refined white sugar/High Fructose Corn Syrup → Raw honey — Provides natural sweetness without artificial additives or glycemic spikes.
  • Conventional ground beef → Organic grass-fed ground beef — Ensures a cleaner nutrient profile free from growth hormones and pesticides.

Instructions

  1. Heat avocado oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned; drain any excess liquid.
  3. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
  4. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and garlic powder. Cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, bone broth, and raw honey. Stir well to combine.
  6. Add the kidney beans and pinto beans, then reduce heat to low.
  7. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chili thickens.
  8. Season with sea salt and black pepper before serving.

FAQ

Is this chili gluten-free?

Yes, all ingredients used in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.

How can I make it spicier?

Increase the cayenne pepper to 1 tsp or add a finely diced fresh jalapeño during the sautéing step.

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