Cozy Up with a Homemade Hearty Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Steaming bowls of chili with a Cincinnati twist always spark joy at dinner tables.

This unique chili recipe blends Mediterranean and Midwestern culinary traditions in surprising ways.

Warm spices dance through layers of ground beef, creating a complex flavor profile that sets Cincinnati chili apart from classic recipes.

Cooks have long celebrated this regional specialty for its rich, slightly sweet undertones.

The secret lies in unexpected ingredients like chocolate and cinnamon that add depth to every bite.

Serve this chili over spaghetti for an authentic experience that will transport you straight to Ohio’s vibrant food scene.

One spoonful promises to become an instant family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1-2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 4

Everything That Goes Into Cincinnati Chili

• Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein foundation, choose lean cut for balanced flavor and texture.
• Olive Oil: Helps brown meat evenly and prevents sticking, use extra virgin for richer taste.

• Beef Broth: Adds deep meaty flavor and helps create silky sauce consistency.
• Tomato Sauce: Builds rich base with subtle sweetness and smooth texture.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken chili.
• Vinegar: Balances flavors with bright acidity.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers complex umami depth and subtle tanginess.

• Brown Sugar: Softens spice edge and adds gentle caramel undertone.
• Bay Leaf: Introduces subtle herbal complexity to overall flavor profile.
• Onions: Provides sweet aromatic base and textural dimension.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent depth.

• Spaghetti: Classic Cincinnati chili foundation, use fresh pasta for best results.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty topping that complements spicy chili.
• Kidney Beans: Adds protein and earthy texture.
• Oyster Crackers: Provides delightful crunch.
• Diced Onions: Fresh, crisp garnish with sharp bite.

Tools You’ll Want for Classic Cincinnati Chili

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for browning meat and simmering chili, providing even heat distribution.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring meat and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: For precise chopping of ingredients.
• Colander: Used to drain cooked spaghetti.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for shredding fresh cheddar cheese.
• Serving Bowls

Making Cincinnati Chili the Right Way

• Fire Up the Meat: Toss ground beef into a spacious pot, cranking the heat to medium. Break down the meat into scrumptious crumbles as it sizzles and transforms into a rich, golden-brown masterpiece.
• Create the Magic Sauce: Pour in a symphony of flavor-boosting ingredients – zesty spices, tangy vinegar, robust broth, and velvety tomato goodness. Let the mixture bubble and dance, then dial down the heat. Allow the chili to simmer and meld its incredible flavors for about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Prepare the Noodle Base: Boil spaghetti until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside as your delicious foundation.
• Layer Your Culinary Masterpiece: Start with basic chili, then stack on spaghetti. Shower with shredded cheese, sprinkle diced onions, and scatter kidney beans. Create your personal chili adventure from 1-way to 5-way.
• Serve and Celebrate: Crown your creation with crunchy oyster crackers. Dive into this Cincinnati classic that promises a flavor explosion in every single bite!

Ways to Tweak Cincinnati Chili to Your Taste

• Use a blend of ground beef and ground pork for deeper, richer flavor complexity.
• Toast whole spices like cumin and cinnamon before grinding to intensify their aromatic profile.
• Let the chili rest overnight in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld and develop more robust taste.
• Create a vegetarian version by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils while maintaining the signature spice blend.
• Substitute traditional spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the classic Cincinnati chili experience.

Serve Cincinnati Chili Like You’re in Ohio

• Comfort Food Feast: Hearty Cincinnati Chili Serving Suggestions
• Pasta Platform Paradise: Serve the chili over perfectly cooked spaghetti for a classic Cincinnati-style presentation that transforms a simple dish into a satisfying meal.
• Crunch and Sprinkle Delight: Top with crispy oyster crackers and sharp cheddar cheese to add texture and a tangy flavor punch that elevates the entire dish.
• Game Day Champion: Create a build-your-own chili bar with various toppings like diced onions, shredded cheese, kidney beans, and crackers, letting everyone customize their perfect plate.
• Family Sharing Style

Save That Cincinnati Chili for Busy Weeknights

• Keep Cincinnati chili refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Fresh flavors stay locked in when stored properly.
• Portion leftover chili into freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm chili slowly in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir frequently to maintain perfect texture.
• Double the recipe and divide into meal-prep portions. Enjoy quick weeknight dinners without starting from scratch. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.

Hearty Cincinnati Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Cincinnati chili offers a unique Midwestern twist on classic comfort food, blending Mediterranean spices with hearty ground beef. Served over spaghetti and topped with shredded cheddar, this regional specialty delivers a flavor-packed experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
• 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, warmed
• 1 lb (450 g) cooked spaghetti
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 tbsps chili powder
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup water (if needed for thinning)
• Oyster crackers

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large pot, sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant and softened. Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked and crumbled.
2. Flavor Development: Incorporate beef broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, aromatic spices, brown sugar, and bay leaf. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer uncovered. Gently stir occasionally, letting the chili reduce and intensify in flavor for approximately 1-1.5 hours until achieving desired thickness.
3. Pasta Foundation: While chili simmers, prepare spaghetti according to package guidelines. Drain and set aside, ready to create traditional Cincinnati layering.
4. Signature Serving Styles: Create classic Cincinnati chili experience through progressive layering techniques:

1-Way: Pure chili in bowl

2-Way: Chili cascading over spaghetti

3-Way: Chili, spaghetti, crowned with shredded cheddar cheese

4-Way: Previous layers enhanced with diced onions or kidney beans

5-Way: Ultimate presentation featuring chili, spaghetti, cheese, onions, and beans

1. Final Presentation: Garnish with oyster crackers if desired. Serve immediately, allowing diners to experience the complex, multi-dimensional flavor profile of authentic Cincinnati chili.

Notes

• Brown ground beef on medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
• Adjust spice blend cautiously, as Cincinnati chili is known for its unique sweet-savory-warm flavor profile with hints of cinnamon and chocolate.
• Low and slow cooking helps develop deeper flavors and tenderizes meat, so resist rushing the 1-1.5 hour simmering process.
• For gluten-free version, use gluten-free spaghetti or replace pasta with zucchini noodles; for vegetarian option, substitute beef with plant-based ground meat or lentils.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1-2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg