Try This Zesty Cincinnati Chili Recipe Today

Adventurers in the kitchen, our cincinnati chili recipe promises a flavor journey unlike any other regional specialty.

This midwestern classic blends unexpected spices that dance across your palate with surprising complexity.

Layers of warm cinnamon and unsweetened cocoa create a unique sauce that coats perfectly seasoned ground beef.

Generations of ohio families have perfected this distinctive dish, turning a simple meal into a cultural celebration.

Chili enthusiasts appreciate how this recipe breaks traditional boundaries, offering a delightful twist on standard comfort food.

Each bite tells a story of culinary creativity and regional pride.

Grab your apron and prepare to explore a taste that will become your new obsession.

What To Love About Cincinnati Chili

• Craft Quick Culinary Adventure: Cincinnati chili transforms ordinary ground beef into a thrilling, multilayered dish that takes your taste buds on an exciting flavor journey with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize Endless Serving Styles: This versatile recipe offers 2-way to 5-way serving options, allowing everyone to personalize their meal and create a unique dining experience perfect for picky eaters or large family gatherings.
• Speed Up Weeknight Dinner: With simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, this recipe delivers complex flavors in under two hours, making it an ideal solution for busy home cooks craving something deliciously different from traditional chili.
• Embrace Cultural Comfort Food: Cincinnati chili represents a fascinating culinary tradition that blends Mediterranean and Midwestern influences, offering a nostalgic yet innovative meal that connects food lovers to regional American cooking heritage.

Cincinnati Chili Ingredients Made Simple

• Ground Beef: The star protein that gives the chili its hearty base, choose lean beef for less grease.
• Onions, Garlic: Aromatic foundational ingredients that add depth and savory notes to the dish.

• Chili Powder, Cocoa Powder, Cinnamon, Allspice, Cumin, Cloves: Unique spice blend that creates Cincinnati chili's signature complex flavor profile, use fresh spices for best taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance overall taste.
• Bay Leaf: Adds subtle herbal undertone, remove before serving.

• Beef Broth: Provides rich liquid base and additional meaty flavor.
• Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste: Adds acidity and thick texture, helps bind ingredients.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami and depth to the chili.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to balance flavors.
• Sugar: Optional ingredient to round out and balance the spices.

• Spaghetti: Traditional base for Cincinnati-style chili.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy texture and richness.
• Chopped Onions: Provides fresh crunch and sharp flavor.
• Beans: Optional protein addition for extra substance.
• Oyster Crackers: Classic crunchy topping for textural contrast.

Step-By-Step Cincinnati Chili Instructions

Step 1: Sizzle The Beef

Heat a large skillet and start transforming ground beef into delectable crumbles. Gently break down the meat into tiny pieces while cooking over medium heat. For an extra smooth texture, consider boiling the beef in water. Drain away any excess fat to keep things light and tasty.

Toss in finely chopped onions and crushed garlic, letting them dance and soften for a few minutes until they release their aromatic magic.

Step 2: Spice Up The Flavor

• Chili powder
• Cocoa powder
• Cinnamon
• Allspice
• Cumin
• Cloves
• Salt
• Black pepper

• Beef broth
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sugar (optional)

Drop in a bay leaf for an extra layer of complexity.

Step 3: Simmer And Transform

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle whisper. Let the chili bubble and thicken for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. If the sauce looks too thick, splash in some water to maintain the perfect consistency.

Step 4: Craft Cincinnati Chili Masterpiece

Remove the bay leaf and prepare for a classic Cincinnati-style feast:

2-Way: Chili cascading over spaghetti

3-Way: Chili, spaghetti, and a blanket of shredded cheese

4-Way: Add chopped onions or hearty beans

5-Way: The ultimate combination of chili, spaghetti, cheese, onions, and beans

Sprinkle oyster crackers on top for a delightful crunch.

Best Advice For Cincinnati Chili Success

• Master Meat Texture: Boil ground beef in water for an ultra-fine, delicate consistency that melts in your mouth, breaking down proteins for a smoother chili experience.
• Spice Balancing Act: Carefully measure cocoa and cinnamon to create Cincinnati chili's signature sweet-savory profile, ensuring no single spice overpowers the complex flavor blend.
• Slow Simmering Secret: Let the chili gently simmer uncovered, allowing liquid to reduce and flavors to intensify, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and develop deep, rich taste.
• Customize Your Chili Layers
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chili a day in advance, as flavors deepen and meld together overnight, creating an even more delicious result when reheated.

How To Store Cincinnati Chili Right

• Refrigerate leftover Cincinnati chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring it cools completely before sealing.
• Store the chili and spaghetti separately to prevent pasta from becoming soggy and losing its texture.
• Freeze the chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for maximum 3 months, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking.
• Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can break down the chili's rich, complex flavors and create uneven heating.

Easy Sides For Cincinnati Chili

• Pair Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Zinfandel or Malbec to complement the chili's rich, spicy flavors. The wine's full-bodied profile matches the hearty meat and complex spice blend perfectly.
• Serve with Craft Beer: Choose a dark porter or amber ale that can stand up to the intense Cincinnati chili seasonings. The beer's maltiness will balance the dish's robust character.
• Cool Down with Crisp Beverage: Grab a cold root beer or cream soda to offset the chili's warmth. These sweet, fizzy drinks provide a refreshing contrast to the savory, spiced meat sauce.
• Add Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the chili's richness. The salad's crisp vegetables will provide a fresh counterpoint to the heavy, spiced dish.

Fun Changes For Cincinnati Chili

• Vegetarian Cincinnati Comfort: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils. Maintain the same spice blend for a hearty, meatless version that captures the classic Cincinnati flavor profile.
• Slow Cooker Simplicity: Transfer browned meat and ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, allowing spices to develop a deeper, more intense taste. Perfect for hands-off preparation.
• Spicy Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate Greek yogurt topping and sprinkle feta cheese instead of traditional cheddar. Add a touch of harissa paste to boost heat and introduce Mediterranean flair.
• Turkey Lean Option: Replace ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter, lower-fat alternative. Keep all original spices intact to maintain the signature Cincinnati chili essence.

Questions And Answers On Cincinnati Chili

• What makes Cincinnati Chili different from traditional chili?

Cincinnati Chili is unique because it’s served over spaghetti and includes distinctive spices like cinnamon, cocoa, and allspice. Unlike typical chili, it has a thinner sauce and is traditionally served in “ways” ranging from 2-way to 5-way.

• Can I make Cincinnati Chili without beef?

While traditional recipes use ground beef, you can substitute with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives. The key is maintaining the signature spice blend that gives Cincinnati Chili its distinctive flavor profile.

• Why does this recipe include unusual spices like cocoa and cinnamon?

These spices are part of the Cincinnati Chili’s Greek-inspired culinary heritage. They add depth and complexity to the sauce, creating a unique sweet and savory flavor that sets this chili apart from other regional chili recipes.

• Is Cincinnati Chili spicy?

Cincinnati Chili is typically mild and more aromatic than spicy. The blend of warm spices like cinnamon and allspice creates a rich, comforting flavor rather than a hot, fiery taste. You can adjust the heat by adding more black pepper if desired.

Cincinnati Chili Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Cincinnati chili delights palates with its unique blend of Mediterranean spices and Midwestern comfort. Savory meat sauce draped over spaghetti creates a memorable meal that brings Cincinnati’s culinary passion straight to your plate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein Ingredients:

• 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
• 1 lb (450 g) cooked spaghetti
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 bay leaf

Liquid and Vegetable Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Oyster crackers

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Commence the culinary journey by transforming ground beef in a expansive cooking vessel. Apply medium thermal intensity to fragment the protein into delicate morsels. Consider the immersion technique of water-based preparation to achieve an exceptionally fine texture.
2. Incorporate aromatic vegetable companions – finely diced onions and minced garlic – allowing them to soften and release their essence within the meat ecosystem.
3. Orchestrate a symphony of spices by introducing a complex blend: chili powder, rich cocoa, warming cinnamon, nuanced allspice, earthy cumin, fragrant cloves, mineral salt, and pungent pepper. Massage these aromatics thoroughly into the meat landscape.
4. Elevate the flavor profile by cascading liquid enhancers: robust beef broth, concentrated tomato sauce, intense tomato paste, umami-rich Worcestershire sauce, tangy apple cider vinegar, and optional crystalline sweetener.
5. Nestle a singular bay leaf into the mixture, stirring with deliberate circular motions to marry all components harmoniously.
6. Initiate a gentle thermal transformation by bringing the concoction to a vigorous bubble, then retreat to a whisper-soft simmer. Allow the mixture to concentrate and develop depth, periodically rotating and monitoring consistency.
7. After a patient 1-2 hour metamorphosis, extract the bay leaf sentinel, signaling the chili’s readiness.
8. Present the Cincinnati classic through progressive layering: Begin with tender spaghetti as the foundation, cascade the spiced meat mixture, crown with shredded cheese, and optionally embellish with crisp onions or creamy beans.
9. Conclude by scattering oyster crackers atop this multi-dimensional culinary creation, serving immediately to preserve optimal temperature and textural integrity.

Notes

• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of Cincinnati Chili that’s perfect for those watching calories.
• Experiment with homemade vegetable broth instead of beef broth to make the recipe completely vegetarian while maintaining deep, rich flavor profiles.
• Use gluten-free pasta as a base for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this classic Midwestern comfort dish without dietary restrictions.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium broth and controlling salt content during cooking, making this recipe heart-friendly and adaptable for those monitoring salt intake.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1-2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg