Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati Chili is a one-of-a-kind dish that flips the traditional concept of chili on its head. This iconic Midwestern recipe features a slow-simmered, spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti noodles and topped with classic additions like shredded cheddar, onions, and even oyster crackers. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cincinnati Chili offers a completely different chili experience—savory, sweet, spiced, and deeply comforting. Its unique blend of warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg adds unexpected depth, while the chocolate rounds everything out with richness. The best part? It’s incredibly versatile: serve it over spaghetti, on a hot dog, or with traditional toppings for a fully customizable meal. It also gets better with time, making it perfect for making ahead.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 2 pounds lean ground beef

• 4 cups water (or 2 cups water + 2 cups beef broth)

• 6 ounces tomato paste

• ½ 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

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 ounce dark chocolate (or 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder)

• 1 bay leaf

Optional Toppings:

• Cooked spaghetti noodles

• Hot dogs

• Beans

• Diced onion

• Shredded cheddar cheese

• Oyster crackers

Directions

1. In a large Dutch oven, whisk together the water (or water and broth) and tomato paste until smooth.

2. Crumble the ground beef with your fingers and add it directly to the pot—do not brown it beforehand.

3. Add the diced onion, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, dark chocolate, and bay leaf. Stir everything together thoroughly.

4. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, cover, reduce the heat to low, and allow it to cook gently for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. Skim off any grease that rises to the surface.

5. After simmering, remove the chili from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature.

6. Cover the pot and refrigerate the chili overnight to deepen the flavor.

7. The next day, skim any solidified grease from the surface.

8. Reheat the chili over medium heat until hot and ready to serve.

9. Serve warm over cooked spaghetti or hot dogs, and add your choice of toppings like beans, diced onions, cheese, or oyster crackers.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields 8 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours
Chill time: 8 hours
Total time: 11 hours 15 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian: Swap ground beef for lentils or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth.

• Spicy Kick: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to increase the heat.

• Low-Carb: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta.

• Chili Dogs: Spoon over hot dogs and top with cheese and onions for a Cincinnati-style coney.

• Chili 5-Way: Serve over spaghetti and top with beans, onions, and cheese.

• Slow Cooker Version: Combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6–8 hours.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerate cooled chili in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For freezing, store in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. To reheat, warm on the stove over medium heat or microwave individual portions until heated through, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen.

FAQs

What makes Cincinnati Chili different from regular chili?

Cincinnati Chili is thinner and more sauce-like, served over spaghetti, and includes unique spices like cinnamon, cloves, and chocolate for a sweet-savory depth.

Can I skip chilling the chili overnight?

It’s not mandatory, but chilling helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to skim off the grease for a cleaner finish.

Why is chocolate used in this recipe?

Dark chocolate or cocoa powder enhances the depth of flavor and adds richness without making the chili taste sweet.

Is this chili spicy?

Not particularly. It leans more toward spiced than spicy, but you can adjust the heat by adding chili flakes or hot sauce.

What kind of ground beef should I use?

Lean ground beef (85–90%) is ideal to reduce excess grease, especially since you’re not browning it beforehand.

What are the “ways” of serving Cincinnati Chili?

• 2-Way: Chili + spaghetti

• 3-Way: Chili + spaghetti + cheese

• 4-Way: Chili + spaghetti + cheese + onions or beans

• 5-Way: Chili + spaghetti + cheese + onions + beans

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, add all ingredients and cook on low for 6–8 hours. No pre-cooking necessary.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of paste?

It’s not recommended, as tomato paste provides the concentrated flavor and texture needed for this sauce.

How do I serve Cincinnati Chili at a party?

Keep it warm in a slow cooker and provide bowls of spaghetti and various toppings so guests can build their own.

Can I use other meats?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used, but the flavor will be slightly different.

Conclusion

Cincinnati Chili is a uniquely spiced and deeply flavorful dish that turns chili into something entirely new. Whether you’re a Midwestern native or trying it for the first time, this dish delivers bold, comforting flavor with a twist. Easy to make ahead and great for feeding a crowd, it’s a meal that’s as fun to serve as it is to eat.