5 from 30 votes
Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati Chili is a slow-simmered meat sauce featuring ground beef cooked with a blend of spices including cinnamon, chili powder, and unsweetened chocolate, combined with tomato sauce and aromatics like garlic and onion. Served traditionally over spaghetti and topped with shredded cheddar and diced onions, it offers a savory and slightly sweet chili with unusual warm spice notes and familiar toppings.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs 40 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
699 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 85/15, lean
- 2 onion finely chopped, yellow
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened chocolate
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 5 clove whole
- 5 whole allspice berries
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound spaghetti , cooked
- 1 yellow onion , diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese , shredded
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a skillet on medium high heat, cooking and breaking it apart until browned.
- Add in the onions, tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, chocolate, chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cloves, allspice berries, and bay leaf and mix together well.
- Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, adding water if it gets too dry.
- Remove the bay leaf. Serve over cooked spaghetti with onions and cheddar cheese.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe was published in the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1981 and follows the authentic version of Cincinnati Chili.
- The meat is browned rather than boiled, which differs from some traditional methods.
Nutrition Information
Calories
699kcal
(35%)
Carbohydrates
68g
(23%)
Protein
53g
(106%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Cholesterol
133mg
(44%)
Sodium
1315mg
(55%)
Potassium
1093mg
(23%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
755IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
9.9mg
(11%)
Calcium
338mg
(34%)
Iron
6.4mg
(36%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 699
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 699kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 68g | 23% |
| Protein | 53g | 106% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 133mg | 44% |
| Sodium | 1315mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 1093mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 755IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 9.9mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 338mg | 34% |
| Iron | 6.4mg | 36% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.