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Home » Recipes » Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Cincinnati Chili Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · Oct 4, 2024 · 89 Comments

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Cincinnati Chili Recipe

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.

5-Way Cincinnati Chili in a bowl

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.

Adding all of the Cincinnati Chili ingredients to a pot and mashing it together

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.

Simmering Cincinnati Chili in a pot

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.
The "ways" to serve Cincinnati Chili

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

  • Chili con Carne
  • Chili Colorado
  • Texas Chili
  • Chili Verde
  • Slow Cooker Southwest Beef Chili
  • White Bean Chicken Chili
  • Shrimp and Red Bean Chili
  • Buffalo Chicken Chili
Cincinnati Chili Recipe

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
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Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Cincinnati chili is a chili unlike any other, filled with a beguiling mix of unique spices and served over hot spaghetti, a beloved regional favorite.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chili, recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Calories: 372kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 8
Tap or hover to scale
4.86 from 35 votes
Leave a Review

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

Ways to Serve Cincinnati Chili
  • 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
Or, serve it over a hot dog with mustard, onions and shredded cheddar cheese.
Heat Factor: Mild
Nutritional information estimated without spaghetti noodles or other toppings.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 372kcal   Carbohydrates: 15g   Protein: 23g   Fat: 26g   Saturated Fat: 10g   Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g   Monounsaturated Fat: 11g   Trans Fat: 1g   Cholesterol: 81mg   Sodium: 1596mg   Potassium: 919mg   Fiber: 6g   Sugar: 6g   Vitamin A: 2807IU   Vitamin C: 12mg   Calcium: 85mg   Iron: 6mg
Cincinnati Chili Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 10/4/24 to include new video, photos and information. It was originally published on 1/30/19.

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Menu says

    June 28, 2025 at 2:04 pm

    5 stars
    Very Yummy recipe of cincinnati chili. I must try it at home for my children. Thank you soo much for sharing such amazing stuff. Highly Recommended.

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      June 30, 2025 at 5:26 am

      You are very welcome. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Paul Abeln says

    April 28, 2025 at 6:24 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      April 28, 2025 at 6:31 am

      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!

      Reply
  3. JoeR says

    November 30, 2024 at 10:01 am

    Just no, this isn't Chilli. I tried Skyline Chili near Cincinnati and it was awful .

    Reply
    • edward grundner says

      December 01, 2024 at 9:14 am

      I live in Cincinnati, I totally agree. But maybe Mikes is better. I will continue ti make chili my way. LOL

      Reply
  4. Banks says

    November 12, 2024 at 6:17 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      November 12, 2024 at 6:29 pm

      Awesome to hear! Glad you liked it, Banks!

      Reply
  5. Johnson Cauthen says

    October 07, 2024 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      October 08, 2024 at 5:34 am

      Sounds wonderful to me, Johnson! Nice!!

      Reply
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