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.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chili, recipe
Servings: 8
Calories: 372kcal
- 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.
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.
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.
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