Cincinnati Chili

Made famous by Skyline Chili in Ohio, Cincinnati Chili is full of secret ingredients and served on spaghetti with lots of toppings, depending on which "way" you like it.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 234kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Equipment

Dutch oven (I always use my heirloom on from Le Creuset!)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions finely chopped (plus more for topping)
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate (see note 1)
1 clove garlic minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups chicken broth
16 ounces tomato sauce
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds ground beef (preferably 85/15, see note 2)
cooked spaghetti for serving
shredded cheese dark red kidney beans, finely chopped onions, and oyster crackers, for serving (see note 3)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Cook onions until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in chocolate, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth, tomato sauce, vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Stir in beef and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 20 to 25 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper).
Serve over cooked spaghetti with desired toppings such as cheese, beans, onions, and crackers.

Video

Notes

Unsweetened chocolate: Just one ounce is all you need, but the super fans swear it makes all the differences.
Ground beef: You won't have a chance to drain the fat from the beef in this recipe. I think 85/15 is ideal for maximum flavor without too much grease, but you can choose something leaner if you want to.
Toppings: Build your bowl with spaghetti, chili, and cheese, then top it off with onions, kidney beans, or even oyster crackers if you want to. Here's the official guide to the "ways" Skyline serves their chili:
- 2-Way: Spaghetti, Chili
- 3-Way: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese
- 4-Way: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese, Onions OR Beans
- 5-Way aka “the works”: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese, Onions AND Beans
Yield: This recipe makes 10 generous servings of Cincinnati Chili.
Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Cool and portion into freezer-safe containers, label and date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Nutrition