Name: Cincinnati Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 135 min
Total time: 150 min
Ingredients: 1 onion (finely chopped); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef; 4 cups water; 15 ounces tomato sauce; 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 3 tablespoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground allspice; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 bay leaf; cooked spaghetti; shredded cheddar cheese; white onion (chopped); canned red kidney beans (or chili beans)

Cincinnati Chili is a rich, warmly spiced classic that’s simmered low and slow for incredible flavor. Served over spaghetti with cheddar cheese, onions, and beans, it’s a comforting, hearty meal the whole family will love.

A warm side of cornbread or homemade garlic bread pairs perfectly.

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Cincinnati Chili

Flavor: Rich, savory flavor with warm notes of cinnamon, allspice, cocoa, and chili, balanced by a subtle tangy sweetness.
Why Make It: Everything cooks in one pot, with most of the cooking time being a hands-off simmer.
Technique: Add the ground beef to the pot uncooked instead of browning it first, which helps create the signature fine texture of Cincinnati-style chili.

Cook Time: 2 Hrs 15 Mins (15 Min Prep) Servings: 6 Cook Method: Stovetop

What is Cincinnati Chili?

Named for the city of Cincinnati, this chili has a unique flavor and is served differently than traditional chili recipes.

It has been around since the 1900s and has been tagged as one of the “most iconic foods in America” by the Smithsonian. It was made popular by the Skyline diners chain and if visiting their restaurants, you must try Skyline Chili!

Seasonings: Some believe the seasonings are derived from the Greek dish moussaka or other similar Greek dishes. The seasonings include cocoa powder (or sometimes unsweetened chocolate), cinnamon, and allspice. Some use cumin or a pinch of ground cloves. It’s usually served over spaghetti with special toppings as below.

Ingredient Notes

beef , water , onion , chili powder , cocoa , garlic , allspice , cinnamon , oil , vinegar , tomato sauce , tomato paste , oregano , bay leaf with labels to make Cincinnati Chili

Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef to minimize the amount of fat to skim while simmering; ground turkey can also be used, though the sauce will be slightly less rich.
Tomato Sauce: Use plain, unseasoned tomato sauce rather than pasta sauce, as there’s no need for added flavors or seasonings.
Apple Cider Vinegar: White vinegar can be used as a substitute if needed, though apple cider vinegar adds a slightly milder tang.
Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened baking cocoa; either natural or Dutch-process cocoa works well in this recipe.
Spaghetti: Regular or thin spaghetti both work well; cook until al dente and keep it separate from the chili until serving.

How to Make Cincinnati Chili

adding water to uncooked ingredients for cincinnati chili in a dutch oven

Add the uncooked beef, water, tomato ingredients, vinegar, garlic, cocoa, spices, and bay leaf.

water added to uncooked ingredients for cincinnati chili in a dutch oven

Bring to a boil, lower the heat, skim excess fat as needed, and simmer until thickened.

cooked cincinnati chili in a dutch oven with a bay leaf next to cheddar cheese and onions

Remove the bay leaf and spoon the chili over hot spaghetti. Finish with cheese, onion, beans, or a combination of toppings (full recipe below).

Ways to Serve Cincinnati Chili

To serve Cincinnati-style chili, traditional toppings include shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and/or chili beans (or kidney beans). Not only are the flavor and toppings unique, but instead of twirling the spaghetti like spaghetti and meatballs, pile on the toppings and cut the spaghetti with a fork.

Here are the traditional ‘ways’ to top Cincinnati Chili:

2-way: topped with chili.
3-way: topped with chili and shredded cheese.
4-way onion: topped with chili, shredded cheese, and chopped onions.
4-way bean: topped with chili, shredded cheese, and beans.
5-way: the works! Top with chili, shredded cheese, chopped onions, and beans.

Serve this with the toppings on the side and let your family choose their own way! Don’t limit yourself to these ways, add your own toppings from hot sauce to oyster crackers.

close up of plated Cincinnati Chili with cheese

Add Beef Uncooked: Adding it into the liquid creates a finer texture than browning and crumbling it first.
Simmer Gently: Two hours gives the sauce time to reduce and lets the warm spices mellow into the beef and tomato.
Skim the Fat: Skim as it rises instead of draining the pot at the end.
Chili Consistency: If the chili is still too thin, simmer it uncovered a little longer. The finished sauce should coat the spaghetti without being as thick as traditional bowl chili.
Add Toppings at the End: Keep the toppings separate until serving so everyone can customize their plate.
Use Finely Shredded Cheddar: Finely shredded cheddar creates a fluffy layer of cheese that starts to soften as soon as it hits the hot chili.

Chill Today, Chili Tomorrow

Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in a covered container for up to 4 days. Store cooked spaghetti and toppings separately.
Freezing: Freeze the chili in airtight containers for up to 4 months. Freeze the sauce without spaghetti, cheese, onions, or beans.
Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat the chili on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. A small splash of water can loosen sauce if it has thickened. Leftover sauce also makes an easy topping for hot dogs.

More Ground Beef Favorites

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Cincinnati Chili on spaghetti and close up photo with a title.

Cincinnati Chili on spaghetti with cheese and a title.

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of the best selling cookbook “Everyday Comfort,” which delivers hearty, home-cooked meals designed for real life.
See more posts by Holly