Cincinnati Chili is a unique culinary experience combining ground beef, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, and chili powder with cocoa, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, brown sugar, and vinegar. The ending result of this unusual chili is a most enjoyable taste bud-exploding experience. You don’t need to travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, to enjoy Cincinnati Skyline Chili.
What is Cincinnati Chili?
Cincinnati chili originated with immigrant restaurateurs in the 1920s who were trying to expand their customer base by moving beyond narrowly ethnic cuisine styles. Ingredients for this chili might include ground beef, stock, tomato paste, cinnamon, other Mediterranean spices, and sometimes chocolate in a soup-like consistency. Toppings include cheese, onions, and kidney beans.
My version of this wonderful chili contains some cocoa, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and cayenne. It is an unusual combo, but it is so delicious. You will find it almost impossible to stop eating it! I serve it on spaghetti, sprinkled with cheddar and onions. However, you can serve it any way you like.
How do you make Cincinnati Chili?
This chili is so easy to make. First, saute some chopped onion and garlic in a large pot or Dutch Oven. Reduce the heat and add the garlic, cooking for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Then, add your ground beef and beef broth and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer the beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Skim off any fat that floats to the top.
Stir in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cocoa powder, cumin, ground cinnamon, ground cayenne pepper, ground cloves, ground allspice, cider vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, tomato paste, and brown sugar. Simmer uncovered for 2-3 hours. Serve over cooked spaghetti with shredded cheddar and chopped onions.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Cook the ground beef over a low simmer, breaking it up with a fork or meat chopper.
- Skim the fat off the top of the pot with a ladle. If you don’t want to waste anything, refrigerate what you skim off while the pot is simmering. The fat will solidify and be easy to remove, and you can return the rest of the broth to the pot.
- Simmer Cincinnati Chili uncovered for 2-3 hours for the best flavor and consistency.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then, transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Ways to serve Cincinnati Chili
- 2-Way Chili – The chili mixture is served on spaghetti. Yummy!
- 3-Way Chili – Top the chili and spaghetti with shredded cheddar cheese. Super yummy!
- 4-Way Chili – Top the whole caboodle with onions. Oh, my heavens!
- 5-Way Chili – Top the whole kit and caboodle with kidney beans! Heavens to Betsy!
- Coney dog – Top a hot dog in a bun with Cincinnati chili, shredded cheese, diced onions, and a little mustard.
This is a weekend meal, as it needs to simmer in the Dutch oven for several hours. However, it is well worth the time and effort. It is just that good! Cincinnati Chili makes for awesome leftovers. This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day as the flavors have all had time to meld with each other.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Cincinnati Chili Recipe
Cincinnati Chili is a unique blend of ground beef, onions, chili powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. It is traditionally served in a bowl over spaghetti noodles with shredded cheddar and oyster crackers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 150 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Main Meal
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
- 8 ounces of spaghetti cooked according to package instructions
- Shredded cheddar (optional)
- Finely chopped onions (optional)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to low the minced garlic.
- Add the ground beef and beef broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the beef, breaking it up as it cooks. This will take 20-30 minutes. Skim off any fat that floats to the top.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cocoa powder, cumin, ground cinnamon, ground cayenne pepper, ground allspice, ground cloves, cider vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, tomato paste, and brown sugar. Simmer uncovered for 2-3 hours. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti with shredded cheddar and chopped onions.
Notes
- Cook the ground beef over a low simmer, breaking it up with a fork or meat chopper.
- Skim the fat off the top of the pot with a ladle. If you don’t want to waste anything, refrigerate what you skim off while the pot is simmering. The fat will solidify and be easy to remove, and you can return the rest of the broth to the pot.
- Simmer Cincinnati Chili uncovered for 2-3 hours for the best flavor and consistency.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then, transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Keywords: what is cincinnati chili, how to make cincinnati chili, cincinnati chili recipe, skyline chili cincinnati
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Kasandra
Such a great recipe and so unique. I really enjoyed it and so did my Dad. I will make it again as soon as we cool back down.
Tammy
Chili is so comforting! What a hearty and delicious meal for the fall weather ahead…the smell of this simmering away on the stove is so good!
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more, Tammy!
Laura
Sounds amazing! All those spices and cocoa?! I’m going to try a vegetarian version of it.
Natalie Jerebic
Chili is one of my favourite meals! Especially perfect now that the colder months are around the corner.
Sandra
This is seriously comforting! My family loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Sandra!
Erik
It was incredible delicious! My family loved it!
Amanda
Cincinnati chili is so unique and always a huge hit with everyone!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more!
Marysa
I love the idea of putting chili over pasta! Chili has always been a bit rich for me, and I like having it with something like spaghetti. I’ve never heard of Cincinnati chili but it sounds tasty.
Tammy
I cannot say I’ve ever had Cincinnati Chili but it sounds so delicious and I’m intrigued at the addition of cocoa. What an interesting combination of flavors and spices. Sounds super comforting!
★★★★★
briannemanzb
Making Cincinnati Chili gets me out of my comfort zone but I’m sure the payoff comes when I tuck into a giant plate of grade-A comfort food. Thanks for this Beth. It was delicious.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are more welcome Brianne!
Yeah Lifestyle
This dish was packed full of flavor! I love a good chili recipe and I am definitely going to be making this one again!
★★★★★
Stephanie
Ok, I’ve put sugar in my homemade chili powder before, but I’ve never tried it with cocoa powder! It’s definitely different than the Southern Chili I grew up on, but I like it.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Stephanie! It is a tasty change from traditional chili.
Melanie E
Although it does sound different I bet it tastes awesome. I don’t normally add cocoa, cloves, allspice, brown sugar, or vinegar to my chili when I make it. It would be nice to try this different version.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Yes it is delicious! You really should give it a try!
Becky, Cuddle Fairy
I adore chili but I’ve never heard of Cincinnati Chili before! The recipe is packed with flavor, I’m so excited to try this! I think I will plan on making it this weekend!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!!
syd
Lived in Cincinnati for quite a few years – and ate gallons of chili – My brother in law even owned a chili restaurant – although it was a franchise and he got his chili premade – I question the allspice and barbecue – when I made it up till now it was the cinnamon and cocoa that made it Cincinnati – everything else sounds reasonable – gonna get the fixins for this recipe and try it – Since *every* recipe can be improved.
Of course, then there is the best of the area – Gold Star Chilli ( the best one of which is actually in Northern KY)… That’s what I am aiming for …
Jessie
Yum! This chili sounds so good and I can think of so many things that this will go amazing with!
★★★★★
Gail Montero
Looks absolutely tasty and my kind of comfort food for chilly/chili nights! Need to try this soon!
★★★★★
Claudia Lamascolo
Oh we love using cinnamon in sauces its kind of a middle eastern flavor never heard it called this name but I really love it a must try with chili
★★★★★
Lindsay
I’ve never had Cincinnati Chili, but it looks amazing! I can’t believe how many different spices are in it – that must be what makes it so good.
★★★★★
Liz
I’m from Ohio but most of my family has moved to Virginia (where I am) and I know they miss this chili! I’m going to share this recipe with all of them!
★★★★★
Michelle
I hadn’t heard of Cincinnati chili before so thanks for enlightening! It sounds so good — will have to try it soon! Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Whitney sokola
Do you Brown the meat first?
Beth Pierce
No you do not.
John Sutton
A fellow co-worker cooked this in our Company’s kitchen and we all had it for lunch. This is the best Cincinnati Chili I have ever had in my life!!! You need to eat over hot or warm spaghetti and with finely chopped sweet onions as a garnish. It was so good I had two big bowls of it. Previously I’ve had Sky Line Chili but it cant hold a candle to this recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much John! So glad that you liked it!
Suzy
Had no idea that you could serve this over spaghetti! Such a delicious chili. So flavorful!
★★★★★
wilhelmina
This was a new one for me, but oh my, it’s delicious! I will be making it again very soon!
★★★★★
Toni
I really love how flavorful this is!! Quickly became a favorite at my house!
★★★★★
Lindsay Cotter
It’s been raining here all day! This was the perfect comfort food dinner for us!
★★★★★
Lauren Kelly
This is one of my favorite recipes. The ultimate comfort food!
★★★★★
eleanor
can i substitute other bbq sauce? from Canada and not have the Kansas city style
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. I would try to go with something that is not overly sweet.
Catalina
Sounds like a must try recipe! So easy and delicious!
★★★★★
Catalina
I’ve made it and it’s so flavorful! It’s so easy to make so I make it very often during the cold season!
★★★★★
Allyson Zea
I’ve never tried Cincinnati chili but now I really want to! This looks delicious!
Sara Welch
This was just the heartwarming dish I needed! My kids couldn’t get enough of this so I’ll be adding this to my weekly dinner lineup for sure!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
★★★★★
Chrissie Baker
YESSS! This looks SO good- I think I could eat an entire batch in a single day.
★★★★★
Krista
I love the cocoa and cinnamon in this recipe! Sounds amazing!
★★★★★
Erin @ Thanks for Cookin'!
Oh my I haven’t had Cincinnati Chili in years! I used to order it at Steak and Shake when we live in Missouri…of course that stuff isn’t very authentic. I’ve never made it myself but this recipe looks too good to pass up! Love the addition of cocoa powder. Talk about depth of flavor! Yum!