A Classic Recipe for Cincinnati Style Chili!
I don’t think that I ever mentioned that I lived in Ohio for a couple of months. Yup, it was right before I turned 17. While living in Ohio, I got hooked on the Cincinnati style chili. I must admit, when I first heard about it, I was a little hesitant. However after having it, it was love at first bite! It was so different from the chili that I was used to. The spices, the texture, the aroma. It was amazing!
Sadly, when we moved back to Seattle ,my Cincinnati style chili days were over. There were no restaurants that sold it. Heck, the grocery stores didn’t even carry any Cincinnati chili mix. Luckily, while living in Ohio, I watched a couple of people make it.  Everyone that I watched used most of the same ingredients, but all of them had a secret additional ingredient(s). Making the Cincinnati chili looked easy enough, so I gave it a try. After several attempts, I mastered it, and even added my very own secret ingredients!
Let me tell you how I make my very own Cincinnati Style Chili!
How to Make Authentic Cincinnati Style Chili
First things first: If you never had Cincinnati style chili, be alarmed that some of the ingredients may sound a little strange, but the outcome is AMAZING.
For my chili recipe, I use regular ground beef. You can use ground turkey if you choose, but it’s not the same, in my opinion! I use a lot of onion in this recipe. It adds a ton of flavor, and most Cincinnati style chili recipes call for a nice amount of onion.
As mentioned before, I live in area that doesn’t sell Cincinnati chili mix. Therefore I make my own. Making your own chili mix isn’t hard at all. For my Cincinnati Chili, I use a combination of these ingredients:
- chili powder
- ground cinnamon
- cumin
- ground nutmeg
- ground allspice
- oregano
I also add salt and pepper for taste. Another ingredient that is commonly used in Cincinnati style chili is unsweetened chocolate. Yes, you read that right! No, the chili won’t taste like someone dropped a candy bar in it. The unsweetened chocolate adds a nice unique flavor, dark brown color, and a nice texture.
My recipe for Cincinnati style chili is super easy, and nothing short of amazing. This chili is freezable, so feel free to make a big ol’ pot of it, and reheat it whenever you’re craving it.
Watch How I Make My Homemade Cincinnati Style Chili!
If you enjoyed my version of Cincinnati Style Chili, check out some of my other recipes!
Old Fashioned Beef Goulash Recipe
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Authentic Cincinnati Style Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 cup water
- 2 tbsp white destilled vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 oz unsweetened chocolate
Instructions
- Brown the meat over medium high heat, then drain the fat.
- Add in the onions, and mix in with the meat.
- Pour in the water, tomato sauce, then vinegar.
- Add in the minced garlic.
- Mix everything, then add in the seasonings, and spices.
- Mix until well combine, then toss in the unsweetened chocolate.
- Stir until the chocolate is melted.
- Reduce the heat to low medium, cover the pot or pan with a lid, let simmer for 2 hours.
- Make sure that you stir periodically to prevent burning.
- Once done, serve over spaghetti or a hot dog.
- You may top the chili off with cheese and onions.
- Enjoy!
That is some great looking chili….love unsweetened chocolate in Mexican type dishes! The hot dogs get my vote for using this chili. Pinned. Thanks Rosie for sharing.
Thanks for coming by Mary!
Looks so good!!
Thank you!
I live here in Cincinnati, and I used to have a homemade recipe is cinti chili I got from my aunt. She would put bay leaves in it, no chocolate, it was ok but didn’t have that cincy taste. I can’t wait to make this. It looks good.
Ooh. I should try a bay leaf next time!
We are having the chili to night for dinner,can’t wait to try it on the hot dogs.I missed your recipe for Sunday,I look forward to your recipes.They are so good and so easy to make on a tiring day.
Hi Gloria! I didn’t post anything on Sunday, because it was Easter 🙂
Rosie
I had this style of chili in Cincinnati over raviolis. Cant remember what they called the dish but it was
very good. Thanks as always for your fine recipes. You never fail to deliver the goods!!!!!
OOh that sounds good! I must try it!
I can’t wait to try this! I plan to add some red kidney beans, too. Thank you for the recipe and video.
Thank you for coming by Tanya!
Rosie…. Any plans for some grilling recipes?
Sure. Do have any requests?
As always, anything you suggest will be good. I am always looking for new things to try.
Thank you for all the work you do!!!!
Have you tried Mike’s Chili Parlor in Ballard? Being from Texas, it’s hard to say it’s the best chili… but I do love Cincinnati style especially over pasta with onions, cheese, and jalepenos (a “five way” you guys call it). I will definitely have to try out your recipe. Thanks Rosie!
Nope never tried it. Thanks for coming by!