My all time favorite chili with you, Cincinnati Chili. I grew up on this chili and this recipe for me was pretty darn close to the real stuff. It is with oyster crackers or top it in spaghetti for the true Cincinnati experience.
Cincinnati Chili
I was born in Cincinnati and grew up just outside of the city. Every time I go back to visit my family I still get myself a chili dog or 3-way at Skyline. I’m not going to calm this to be the same recipe they use at the restaurants this is just my version and from a Cincy girl raised on this stuff I think it was pretty darn close in taste and in mu option the best way to make it from home!
The secret to really great Cincinnati Chili is cinnamon and cocoa. You also gotta make your chili and meat extra ground up and thin. You don’t need a special type of beef just work it well with a spatula until your beef is really broken down. My dad likes to call Cincinnati style chili meat soup because it’s a lot thinner then a regular chili. There are a few different ways you can eat this chili. In a bowl of course alone but the Cincinnati way is on top of hot dogs or spaghetti and topped with diced onions and lots and lots of cheese.
What is Cincinnati Chili:
Cincinnati chili is found in Cincinnati Chili and surrounding areas. You can get it from Goldstar or Skyline. Both Cincinnati Chili but with a slightly different taste. It’s a Mediterranean-spiced meat sauce that is usually topped on hot dogs or spaghetti. It’s traditionally not served with beans unless you order a 5-way which is 1. spaghetti 2.chili 3. cheese 4.onion 5. beans but as someone who has lived most of there life in Cincinnati I have NEVER had this with beans. To me is’t not the same.
How to make Cincinnati Chili:
Step one: Sauté your onions in a large pan.
Step two: Add beef and garlic and cook until beef is almost fully cooked. Add seasonings and mix together.
Step three: Next add in tomato sauce, cider vinegar and water.
Step four: Reduce heat to low and let chili simmer for an hour or two.
Step five: Place chili on top of spaghetti or hot dog and top with shredded cheese.
Here are a few more of my favorite chili recipes that I think you will love also!
No Bean Chili: This is more of the commonly know chili taste but with no beans. So if you want a hearty chili with out the beans you have to try this one out.
Taco Chili: This one is a favorite of mine. My taco soup is my favorite soup so I wanted to play on that to make a chili recipe, perfect for winter!
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili: This one is a readers favorite and has great reviews. If you want a new basic chili recipe check it out.
Cincinnati Chili
Ingredients
- 1 Onion (chopped)
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
- 1 tablespoons Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground all spice
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 15 oz Tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup Water
- Optional: Cooked spaghetti or hot dogs and shredded cheese
Instructions
- Saute your onions for 2-3 minutes on medium high in a large pan. Add beef and garlic and cook until beef is almost fully cooked. Add chili powder, cinnamon, all spice, salt, unsweetened cocoa powder and mix together. Add tomato sauce, cider vinegar and water.
- Reduce heat to low and let chili simmer for 1-2 hours.
- Place chili on top of spaghetti or hot dog and top with shredded cheese.
Sounds yummy! Printed and pinned.
Thanks Debbie! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Looks like a recipe I love except the one I have also add cloves
It’s one of my favorites =) I have heard people adding cloves or bay leaves.
Hello! This looks great! For the apple cider vinegar, is it 1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon? Thank you!
It’s Tbsp. Edited the recipe sorry for the mistake! I hope you enjoy this recipe Valerie it’s so yummy =)
I love this recipe but double the amount of tomato sauce, which makes the perfect consistency to me. I summered with the cover off for about a 1/2 hour then covered it for the rest of the time. Delicious!
Yum!! This is my favorite way to have chili =) Glad you enjoyed it Gayle!
If I double the meat should I also double the other ingredients? Thanks.
Yes I would. It would have less of the flavor without it I think. Let me know how it turns out Samantha!