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All Posts / Cincinnati Style Chili Recipe

Cincinnati Style Chili Recipe

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By Rosie Published: March 30, 2016 Updated: August 3, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links.

A large serving of Cincinnati Style Chili in a white pasta bowl topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
Table of Contents
  1. A Classic Recipe for Cincinnati Style Chili!
  2. How to Make Authentic Cincinnati Style Chili
  3. Watch How I Make My Homemade Cincinnati Style Chili!
  4. Authentic Cincinnati Style Chili

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!

Ground beef simmering in a dark red broth.

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.

Two Cincinnati style chili dogs in buns topped with shredded cheese on a white plate.

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.

Cincinnati Style Chili over spaghetti pasta and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

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!

Easy Homemade Beef Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Pork Pozole

Old Fashioned Beef Goulash Recipe

Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew

Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out I Heart Soulfood, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie and A Cousin Rosie Holiday with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.

chili

Authentic Cincinnati Style Chili

Homemade Authentic Cincinnati Chili made with beef, tomato sauce, unsweetened chocolate, and more.
Watch Video Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Cincinnati Chili
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Servings 6 servings

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!

Video

If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!
© 2025 I Heart Recipes
Recipe by: I Heart Recipes
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EXPLORE RECIPE CATEGORIESAll Posts, Dinner

MEET THE RECIPE AUTHOR

Rosie

I’m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my family—whether they’re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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Comments

  1. Mary says

    March 30, 2016 at 6:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 30, 2016 at 8:56 pm

      Thanks for coming by Mary!

      Reply
  2. Deborah says

    March 30, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    Looks so good!!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 30, 2016 at 8:56 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Lesa says

    March 30, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 31, 2016 at 10:57 pm

      Ooh. I should try a bay leaf next time!

      Reply
  4. Gloria says

    March 31, 2016 at 4:27 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 31, 2016 at 10:57 pm

      Hi Gloria! I didn’t post anything on Sunday, because it was Easter 🙂

      Reply
  5. Bobby says

    March 31, 2016 at 6:03 am

    5 stars
    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!!!!!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 31, 2016 at 10:58 pm

      OOh that sounds good! I must try it!

      Reply
  6. Tanya says

    March 31, 2016 at 6:30 am

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to try this! I plan to add some red kidney beans, too. Thank you for the recipe and video.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 31, 2016 at 10:59 pm

      Thank you for coming by Tanya!

      Reply
  7. Bobby says

    April 1, 2016 at 4:49 am

    5 stars
    Rosie…. Any plans for some grilling recipes?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      April 2, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      Sure. Do have any requests?

      Reply
      • Bobby says

        April 2, 2016 at 4:01 pm

        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!!!!

        Reply
  8. David says

    September 26, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      September 26, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      Nope never tried it. Thanks for coming by!

      Reply

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Hey cousins, it’s Rosie!

I’m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my family—whether they’re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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