Cincinnati Chili isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary experience, a unique chili recipe brimming with rich, savory flavors, unexpected warm spices, and a comforting heartiness. Traditionally served on a generous bed of spaghetti, this iconic dish stands apart from conventional chili recipes, offering a taste of Cincinnati’s vibrant food culture right in your kitchen.
Discover the Unique Flavors of Cincinnati Chili: A Hearty American Classic
For those familiar with Cincinnati Chili, the distinctive notes of cinnamon and allspice are instantly recognizable—these are the very spices that elevate it beyond other chili recipes. This regional specialty evokes strong opinions, and you’ll find that nearly every Cincinnati native proudly claims their family’s version as the most authentic. This passion for tradition is common with many cherished regional dishes, much like my own Southern roots, where debates over recipes passed down through generations are legendary!
But for newcomers to this beloved dish, allow me to introduce you to a truly special rendition. This particular recipe was shared with me by a former colleague whose family operated a famous lunch counter in Cincinnati, renowned for their exceptional take on this local favorite. It’s a recipe steeped in tradition, perfected over years, and now ready for you to recreate at home.
Unraveling the Mystery: What Makes Cincinnati Chili Unique?
Unlike traditional Tex-Mex style chilis, Cincinnati Chili is famously thin, savory, and often features a subtle sweetness and an intriguing aroma. Its distinct character comes from an unusual blend of spices: cinnamon, allspice, and even a hint of cocoa powder. This unique combination, believed to be influenced by Mediterranean (specifically Greek) culinary traditions brought by immigrant restaurant owners in the early 20th century, gives the chili an almost exotic depth that is both comforting and captivating. It’s a flavor profile that truly sets it apart, creating a surprisingly harmonious balance that delights the palate.
A Brief History of Cincinnati Chili: A Taste of Tradition
The story of Cincinnati Chili begins in 1922, when Greek immigrant Athanas Kiradjieff opened a hot dog stand called Empress Chili. To entice customers, he created a unique meat sauce inspired by his Macedonian heritage, blending ground beef with an array of Mediterranean spices and serving it over spaghetti. This innovative “chili” quickly gained popularity, leading to the establishment of numerous chili parlors across the city. Over the decades, Empress Chili, Skyline Chili, and Gold Star Chili became household names, each with their secret recipes, all contributing to Cincinnati’s unique chili culture. The tradition of “the ways” of serving chili also evolved, making it a customizable and interactive dining experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cincinnati Chili:
Cincinnati Chili is renowned for its customizable toppings, known colloquially as “the ways.” You’ll often see it served generously topped with shredded cheddar cheese and/or finely diced onions. While traditional Cincinnati Chili doesn’t include beans in the chili itself, kidney beans are a popular optional topping for those who enjoy their hearty texture. For an added crunch, oyster crackers are a classic accompaniment. The beauty of making it at home is that you can truly personalize your bowl to your liking! Here’s a breakdown of the traditional “ways”:
2-Way: Chili served simply on a warm bed of spaghetti.
3-Way: Chili served on spaghetti, generously topped with a mound of shredded cheddar cheese.
4-Way: Chili served on spaghetti, topped with shredded cheddar cheese AND diced onions.
5-Way: The ultimate Cincinnati Chili experience – chili on spaghetti, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, AND kidney beans.
When you’re preparing this at home, feel free to ignore strict authenticity and load it up with whatever toppings you love most! After all, the best meal is one you enjoy.
Absolutely! To adapt this recipe for a slow cooker, first, brown and crumble the ground beef with the onion in a separate pan. Drain any excess grease thoroughly. Transfer the cooked ground beef and onion mixture to the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Add all the remaining chili ingredients and stir them together well. Cover the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for approximately 4-6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This method is perfect for a hands-off approach and tenderizes the meat perfectly.
Leftover Cincinnati Chili can be stored safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Make sure it cools completely before storing to maintain freshness and safety.
Yes, Cincinnati Chili freezes exceptionally well! However, I highly recommend freezing only the chili itself, not the cooked pasta. Cooked spaghetti tends to become mushy and lose its desirable texture once frozen and reheated. Instead, prepare fresh pasta when you’re ready to serve the thawed and reheated chili. Properly stored, frozen chili will maintain its quality in the freezer for about 6 months, making it an excellent meal-prep option.
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Cincinnati Chili:
Crafting the perfect Cincinnati Chili requires a blend of common pantry staples and a few key spices that give it its signature taste. Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious recipe:
- Ground Beef: Your choice of ground beef works well here. I personally use 80/20 ground chuck for its balance of flavor and tenderness, ensuring a rich base for the chili.
- Vegetable Oil: Essential for sautéing the aromatics and building the flavor foundation.
- Large Onion: A sweet onion offers a mellow flavor, though some prefer the bolder taste of a yellow onion. Finely diced, it melts into the chili.
- Garlic Cloves: Minced garlic adds a foundational layer of aromatic depth to the chili without overpowering the distinctive spices.
- Chili Powder: This provides the traditional chili warmth and a hint of smokiness. Three tablespoons will create a mild heat level; feel free to add a couple of extra teaspoons for more spice, or a dash of hot sauce if you like it fiery.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder is one of the secret ingredients that gives Cincinnati Chili its signature dark color and adds an incredible depth and complexity, distinguishing it from other chili varieties.
- Salt: Balances and enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
- Ground Cinnamon: This is a cornerstone spice for Cincinnati Chili, providing a warm, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor that is truly unexpected but absolutely essential to its unique profile.
- Allspice: Just like cinnamon, allspice contributes to the distinctive and complex aroma of this chili. It’s a key player in creating that truly unique Cincinnati taste.
- Cayenne Pepper: For those who appreciate an extra kick, cayenne pepper adds another layer of heat. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit it entirely if you prefer a milder chili.
- Tomato Sauce: Forms the rich, savory base of the chili’s sauce. Crushed or diced tomatoes can be substituted if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- Chicken Broth: Infuses the chili with additional savory flavor and provides the necessary liquid for simmering. Vegetable broth or even water can be used as alternatives; opt for low or no-sodium broth if you’re watching your sodium intake.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This might seem unusual, but a small amount of apple cider vinegar brightens and rounds out all the flavors, acting as a secret ingredient that enhances the overall taste without making the chili taste vinegary. My co-worker shared that this was her grandfather’s special touch!
- Brown Sugar: A hint of brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness that perfectly balances the acidity from the tomato sauce and complements the warm spices.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes a savory, umami richness that deepens the overall flavor profile, adding that elusive “something special” you can’t quite pinpoint but absolutely notice.
How to Make Authentic Cincinnati Chili: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this Cincinnati classic at home is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps for a rich, flavorful chili that will transport you straight to Ohio!
Start by browning your ground beef in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Break it apart as it cooks until it’s evenly crumbled and no longer pink. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat using a colander to ensure your chili isn’t greasy. Set the browned meat aside for now.
In the same pot, add a touch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft, translucent, and fragrant, which typically takes about 8-10 minutes. This step is crucial for developing a sweet, aromatic base. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just about 1 minute more, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
Now, it’s time for the star spices! Add the chili powder, cocoa powder, salt, ground cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to the pot. Stir continuously for about 1 minute, allowing the spices to toast lightly and become incredibly fragrant. This brief toasting enhances their flavors significantly. Pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
Return the cooked ground beef to the pot, stirring it into the chili mixture. Bring the chili to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, allowing it to simmer uncovered for at least 1 hour. Make sure to stir it regularly to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Simmering for this duration allows the complex flavors to meld and deepen, creating that signature Cincinnati Chili taste. This recipe yields approximately 6 cups of delicious chili.
To serve, prepare a generous portion of your favorite spaghetti, buttered lightly for extra richness. Ladle the hot Cincinnati Chili over the spaghetti, then customize with your preferred toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, kidney beans, and a sprinkle of oyster crackers. Enjoy this hearty and comforting meal!
Craving More Hearty Recipes?
If you love the comforting warmth of chili, explore these other delicious recipes perfect for any occasion:
- Cornbread Waffles with Chili and Fixins’
- Chili Cheese Dog Sliders
- The Best Crock Pot Chili
- Crock Pot Dr Pepper Chili
- Wendy’s Chili
- Cafeteria Chili
- Slow Cooker Ultimate Beef Chili
- Hot Dog Chili
- Chili Mac
- Instant Pot Chili
- Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dogs
- Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati Chili
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5
1 20
1 25
8
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 28 ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, brown and crumble 2 pounds ground chuck over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease thoroughly and set the cooked ground beef aside.
- To the same pot, add 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil and 1 large onion, finely diced. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Add 4 garlic cloves, minced to the pot and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Stir in 3 Tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon allspice, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring until the spices are thoroughly combined and aromatic.
- Pour in the 28 ounce can tomato sauce, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoon brown sugar, and 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine all the liquid ingredients with the spices and onions.
- Add the cooked ground beef back into the pot, ensuring it is fully submerged in the chili mixture. Bring the chili to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour, stirring regularly to prevent sticking. This simmering time allows the flavors to deepen and marry. The recipe makes approximately 6 cups of chili.
- Serve your Cincinnati Chili generously on top of freshly cooked and lightly buttered spaghetti. For the authentic “ways” experience, add your favorite optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, kidney beans, and/or a handful of crispy oyster crackers.
Notes
- Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) and ingredient list above for other substitutions, variations, or for answers to common questions about this recipe.
- This recipe generously serves between 6-8 individuals, depending on portion sizes.
Dinner, Main Course
American
Nutrition
Calories:
370
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
11
g
|
Protein:
22
g
|
Fat:
27
g
|
Sodium:
1270
mg
|
Fiber:
3
g
|
Sugar:
6
g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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