Description
Cincinnati Chili is a unique Midwestern dish made with a richly spiced meat sauce slow-simmered with cocoa, cinnamon, and other warm spices. Traditionally served over spaghetti and topped with beans, cheese, onions, or even hot dogs, it’s a comforting and flavorful meal unlike any other chili.
Ingredients
- 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
- Cooked spaghetti noodles (for serving)
- Hot dogs (optional topping)
- Beans (optional topping)
- Diced onion (optional topping)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional topping)
- Oyster crackers (optional topping)
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, whisk together 4 cups water and 6 ounces tomato paste until smooth.
- Crumble the ground beef with your fingers and add it to the pot without browning.
- Add onion, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, dark chocolate, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally and skimming grease from the top as needed.
- Remove from heat and allow the chili to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- After chilling, remove the solidified grease from the top and discard.
- Reheat the chili over medium heat until hot.
- Serve warm over cooked spaghetti noodles or hot dogs. Add optional toppings like beans, diced onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and oyster crackers.
Notes
- Letting the chili rest overnight improves the flavor and makes it easier to remove excess grease.
- For a more traditional experience, try serving Cincinnati Chili in the classic ‘ways’ (2-way, 3-way, etc.).
- You can substitute beef broth for part of the water for added richness.
- Freezes well for meal prep or leftovers.
