Description
Cincinnati Chili is a unique and beloved Midwestern dish that stands apart from traditional chili recipes. Instead of being served in a bowl on its own, this flavorful meat sauce is typically ladled over spaghetti noodles or hot dogs and topped with a variety of ingredients such as beans, onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. The recipe is known for its rich and aromatic spice blend, which includes cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and even dark chocolate, creating a distinctive sweet and savory flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 4 cups water (or 2 cups water and 2 cups beef broth)
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ounce dark chocolate or 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 bay leaf
Toppings
- Cooked spaghetti noodles
- Hot dogs
- Beans
- Diced onion
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Oyster crackers
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, whisk together the water and tomato paste until fully combined.
- Add the ground beef to the pot, crumbling it with your fingers so it breaks into very small pieces.
- Stir in the diced onion, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, dark chocolate, and bay leaf.
- Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Once it begins simmering, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
- Allow the chili to cook slowly for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Skim off excess grease that rises to the surface during cooking.
- Remove the pot from heat and allow the chili to cool to room temperature.
- Cover the pot and refrigerate the chili overnight so the flavors can develop.
- The next day, use a spoon to remove the solidified grease from the top.
- Reheat the chili over medium heat until hot.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles or hot dogs and add desired toppings such as beans, diced onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and oyster crackers.
Notes
Serve Cincinnati Chili hot over freshly cooked spaghetti noodles for the classic presentation. You can also serve it over hot dogs for a traditional “Coney” style meal. Offer toppings like beans, diced onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and oyster crackers so everyone can customize their bowl. For the best flavor, allow the chili to chill overnight before serving because this resting time helps the spices fully develop. Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the chili thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth while reheating. Cincinnati Chili also freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.