Cincinnati chili is a beloved regional favorite, filled with a beguiling mix of unique spices and served over hot spaghetti, a chili unlike any other. Make it tonight with this authentic recipe.
Homemade Cincinnati Chili Recipe
If you've never had Cincinnati chili, I urge you to give this recipe a try. Right away. Tonight.
It's a different sort of chili, so different from other chili recipes from other parts of the United States.
It certainly looks like a regular chili when you include beans, similar in appearance to something like Chili Colorado or even this Classic Chili Recipe, but you'll notice the difference once you take a taste.
What is Cincinnati Chili?
Cincinnati chili is a unique type of chili from Cincinnati, Ohio, usually served over cooked spaghetti. Many people don't consider it a chili. It is more like a meat sauce, like a bolognese, meant to be served over spaghetti or pasta with a choice of toppings.
In Ohio, you'll find restaurant chains dedicated to serving authentic Cincinnati chili, with Skyline Chili being the most well known, but also Gold Star Chili.
Cincinnati chili is not a spicy chili. While it does contain chili powder traditionally, it is different for it's use of more Mediterranean spices that go into it.
You won't get that spicy kick unless you alter the original recipe, though you can include chili flakes and serve it with hot sauce.
Instead you'll enjoy an unexpected touch of sweetness that typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, though other spices play an important part and, as with any recipe, variations do exist from cook to cook.
This mix of spices works together quite harmoniously, and with your first bite, you'll be pleasantly surprised. And potentially hooked.
The History of Cincinnati Chili
The story of Cincinnati chili starts with two brothers, Tom and John Kiradjieff, who immigrated to Cincinnati in the early 1920 from troubled Greece.
They opened up the Empress Chili Parlor in 1922, and wanted to make something Americans would appreciate. What they essentially created was a stew of meat seasoned with their familiar spices, added in chili powder and other local American spices, and served it up.
The locals fell in love with the dish and have continued to go for serving after serving to this day, essentially as a spaghetti chili.
Cincinnati Chili Ingredients
What ingredients make Cincinnati chili so unique? Check out the list of spices.
- Ground Beef.
- Water. You can also use tomato juice.
- Tomato Sauce.
- Tomato Paste.
- Onion and Garlic.
- Spices. Chili powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, cumin, red pepper flakes, sugar, cloves, bay leaves, unsweetened chocolate (or cocoa powder), salt and black pepper. Add cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
- Vinegar. I am using red wine vinegar.
- Worcestershire Sauce.
- For Serving. Cooked spaghetti noodles, shredded cheddar cheese, kidney beans, chopped onions, oyster crackers.
How to Make Cincinnati Chili - the Recipe Method
Add all of the ingredients to a large pot and mix. Break apart and mash the ground beef as much as you can to give it a "fine" texture, which is how it is typically made.
I like to use a potato masher for this, though a wooden spoon is fine.
You can also brown the meat first for additional flavor.
Heat the pot to medium-low heat and simmer it, uncovered, for two hours, stirring every 20 mins.
It will thicken a bit and the flavors will develop through.
Serve with your favorite fixins! See below for the traditional "ways" to serve Cincinnati Chili.
How to Serve Cincinnati Chili - the "Ways"
Serving up this dish is another way it is differentiated from other American chili recipes. Here are the traditional ways to serve Cincinnati chili:
- 2 Way - Cincinnati chili over spaghetti.
- 3 Way - Cincinnati chili over spaghetti with cheddar cheese.
- 4 Way - Cincinnati chili over spaghetti with cheddar cheese, with either diced onions or beans.
- 5 Way - Cincinnati chili over spaghetti, with both diced onions AND beans.
Oyster crackers are very popular as well. Friends of mine from Cincinnati love to serve theirs over spaghetti, but also on hot dogs, and with Fritos over the top.
They also enjoy making their favorite "Walking Tacos", which is in a bowl with some shredded lettuce, chili, shredded cheese, sour cream and Fritos. They also mix all of that up right into a small Frito bag. Nice!
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftover Cincinnati chili meat in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To enjoy it again, simple reheat gently in a pan and serve over spaghetti with your preferred toppings.
I do not recommend storing leftover pasta, but would make that fresh for the next time.
You can also freeze Cincinnati style chili for up to 6 months in vacuum sealed containers in the freezer.
That's it my friends! I hope you enjoy your Cincinnati chili! It really is unique! A chili like no other!
I'd love to hear what you think of it.
Try Some of My Other Popular Chili Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Cincinnati Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 4 cups water (or use tomato juice)
- 1 can tomato sauce canned (15 ounces)
- 4 ounces tomato paste
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup chili powder more or less as desired
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground all spice
- 1 teaspoon milled black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 5 whole bay leaves
- 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
- 1.5 teaspoons vinegar I used red wine vinegar
- 2 large dashes Worcestershire sauce
FOR SERVING
- Cooked spaghetti noodles, shredded cheddar cheese, kidney beans, chopped onions, oyster crackers.
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
- Break up the uncooked beef as fine as you can with a wooden spoon, or use a potato masher.
- Cook on medium-low heat, uncovered, for two hours, stirring every 20 mins.
- When done, you can mash the chili again with wooden spoon or potato masher for a finer texture, or use a stick blender to partially blend it.
- Serve with your favorite fixins! See the recipe notes for the traditional "ways" to serve Cincinnati Chili.
Video
Notes
- 2-Way - Over spaghetti
- 3-Way - Over spaghetti with cheddar cheese
- 4-Way - Over spaghetti with cheddar cheese, with either diced onions OR beans
- 5-Way - Over spaghetti, with both diced onions AND beans
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 10/4/24 to include new video, photos and information. It was originally published on 1/30/19.
Paul Abeln says
Cincy Chili recipe looks great. Have you heard of adding a dried/black lime to the cook? Since Cincy chili has a Greek heritage, it seems appropriate. We think, anyway.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Paul. I have not heard of that, but am curious what others think! Honestly, give it a go. You're making it at home, so feel free to experiment. Curious!
JoeR says
Just no, this isn't Chilli. I tried Skyline Chili near Cincinnati and it was awful .
edward grundner says
I live in Cincinnati, I totally agree. But maybe Mikes is better. I will continue ti make chili my way. LOL
Banks says
I was pretty iffy thinking I may not like this but I loved it. The Mediterranean spices worked great in it. Thanks for the recipe!
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome to hear! Glad you liked it, Banks!
Johnson Cauthen says
Great as always, Mike! Love it! A few mods for me - left out the sugar and used 70% dark chocolate instead, and of course as always I added more kinds of chiles - three kinds of paprika, ground ancho, ground bird pepper, plus half a can of leftover chipotles in adobo, and a couple of chopped fresh Thai chiles from the garden. Also used 2C of stock instead of 4C of water. So just a few mods 😉
BEST version of Cincinnati Chili ever (for me anyway -- not a fan of the sweet stuff)! Will definitely be making this again and again!
Mike Hultquist says
Sounds wonderful to me, Johnson! Nice!!