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If you’ve never tried Cincinnati Chili, you’re in for something a little different! This hearty chili combines ground beef, tomatoes, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves for a richly spiced sauce traditionally served over spaghetti. Pile on shredded cheddar, onions, and beans for a cozy dinner that’s easy to make at home.
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Table of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big flavor: Warm spices and cocoa add depth to the beefy sauce.
- Easy ingredients: Make a hearty family meal with pantry staples.
- Serve it your way: Choose two-way, three-way, four-way, or five-way.
- Make ahead: The flavor gets even better the next day.
- Freezer-friendly: Save extra chili for another dinner.
What Is Cincinnati Chili?
Cincinnati Chili isn’t quite like a traditional bowl of chili. It’s a finely textured, warmly spiced meat sauce usually served over spaghetti or hot dogs. Cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and cocoa powder give this homemade version its savory, gently sweet flavor.
One of the best parts is choosing how to serve it. In Cincinnati, the different combinations are called “ways”:
- Two-way: Spaghetti topped with chili.
- Three-way: Spaghetti, chili, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Four-way: Spaghetti, chili, cheese, and either chopped onions or kidney beans.
- Five-way: Spaghetti, chili, cheese, chopped onions, and kidney beans.
Add oyster crackers or hot sauce at the table, if you like.
Key Ingredients
NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Ground beef: The hearty base of the sauce.
Onion and garlic: Add savory flavor.
Chili powder: Gives the chili its classic seasoning.
Cinnamon, cumin, allspice, and cloves: Create the signature warm spice blend.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds richness without sweetness.
Tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth: Build the sauce.
Apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce: Balance the flavors.
Ingredients & Substitutions
NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
This Cincinnati Chili is easy to adjust to what you have on hand. Ground turkey or chicken can stand in for beef, and a few simple pantry swaps work for the seasonings, tomatoes, and broth. Here’s what you can use if you’re missing an ingredient.
- Ground beef: Ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Onion: Yellow, white, or sweet onion.
- Garlic: ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Chili powder: Use a mild or hot chili powder blend.
- Cinnamon: A small pinch of additional allspice, although the flavor changes.
- Cumin: Ground coriander.
- Allspice: A pinch each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Cloves: A little extra allspice.
- Cocoa powder: Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa or omit.
- Diced tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes.
- Beef broth: Beef stock or chicken broth.
- Tomato paste: 3 tablespoons tomato sauce; reduce broth slightly.
- Apple cider vinegar: Red wine vinegar.
- Worcestershire sauce: A little soy sauce.
- Spaghetti: Whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti.
- Cheddar: Monterey Jack; pinto beans can replace kidney beans.
Variations
- Make it spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce.
- Chili dogs: Spoon chili over hot dogs and add cheddar and onions.
- Loaded baked potatoes: Spoon over baked potatoes with cheese.
- Meatless: Try cooked lentils and chopped mushrooms with vegetable broth.
Tips for Best Results
- Break up the beef: Small crumbles give a finer sauce.
- Use unsweetened cocoa: Hot chocolate mix won’t work here.
- Simmer gently: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Adjust thickness: Add broth to thin or simmer uncovered to thicken.
- Shred the cheese finely: It melts nicely over hot chili.
FAQs
Not exactly. It’s a finely textured meat sauce with warm spices and a looser consistency.
Serving the chili over spaghetti is a Cincinnati tradition. The pasta holds the sauce and toppings.
Some homemade versions use unsweetened cocoa powder. It adds depth without making the sauce taste like dessert.
Yes. Brown the beef with onion and garlic first, then add everything to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
Yes. Freeze the cooled chili without pasta or toppings for up to 3 months.
It’s usually thinner than traditional chili. Simmer uncovered to thicken or add broth to thin.
Yes. Try it over baked potatoes or hot dogs.
Storage
Refrigerator: Cool the chili and refrigerate it in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Store spaghetti and toppings separately.
Reheating: Heat gently on the stovetop, stirring until the chili reaches 165°F. Add a splash of beef broth if needed.
Freezer: Freeze cooled chili without pasta or toppings for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Quick Steps
NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Brown the ground beef in a Dutch oven. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened.
- Stir in chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves, and cocoa. Cook 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer covered over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Simmer uncovered to thicken if needed.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti with shredded cheddar, onions, beans, or oyster crackers.
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Make Ahead
Cincinnati Chili is a great make-ahead dinner. Cook it up to 2 days in advance, refrigerate in a covered container, and reheat gently before serving. Cook the spaghetti fresh and set out the toppings just before dinner.
What to Serve With Cincinnati Chili
Start with hot spaghetti, then add plenty of finely shredded cheddar cheese. Chopped onions, kidney beans, and oyster crackers let everyone build their favorite two-way, three-way, four-way, or five-way plate.
For sides, try a crisp green salad, garlic bread, or roasted broccoli. The chili is also delicious over hot dogs or baked potatoes.
If You Enjoyed This Recipe
If your family loves chili night, give Texas Chili Dogs a try next. They’re piled high with savory chili and classic toppings, making them an easy choice for game day or a casual dinner. You can also switch things up with Carolina Dogs for another fun way to dress up hot dogs.
For a homemade topping you can use in all kinds of ways, check out Southern Style Hot Dog Chili. If you prefer to let dinner cook while you get on with your day, Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili is another great option.
And when you’re craving something hearty that doesn’t require a pot of chili simmering on the stove, Chili Cheese Sloppy Joes bring those comforting flavors to an easy sandwich dinner.
Looking for even more ideas? Head over to the Recipe Index to browse plenty of delicious options for your next meal.
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Cincinnati Chili
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Equipment
- dutch oven or other heavy pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 can diced tomatoes, (14.5 ounces)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- cooked spaghetti, optional, for serving
- shredded cheddar cheese, optional, for serving
- chopped onion, optional, for serving
- cooked kidney beans, optional, for serving
- oyster crackers, optional, for serving
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into very small crumbles. Add the onion and cook until softened, then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.1 pound ground beef, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Stir in the chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves, and cocoa powder. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and black pepper.1 can diced tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings. For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered briefly. Add a little broth if it becomes too thick.
- Serve over hot cooked spaghetti and top with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, kidney beans, or oyster crackers as desired.cooked spaghetti, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, cooked kidney beans, oyster crackers
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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