4.8 from 15 votes
Easy Cincinnati Chili
This homemade Cincinnati chili recipe is a comforting gem from the Midwest that you can easily make in your kitchen from scratch! Its signature savory and sweet flavor is hard to resist.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 174 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef see note
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Toppings, for serving: cooked spaghetti, chopped raw onion, red kidney beans, shredded cheddar, oyster crackers
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except for the toppings) to a pot/Dutch oven and give it a good stir. No, the beef is not browned first in Cincinnati chili.
- Simmer gently for at least an hour, up to 2 hours, but check to make sure there's enough liquid left that it's not burning to the bottom of the pot. Keep the lid slightly open (medium-low heat is what I use on my gas stove).
- Serve chili one of the ways below (top the bowls as desired, oyster crackers optional): 2-Way: chili + spaghetti 3-Way: chili + spaghetti + grated cheddar4-Way: chili + spaghetti + grated cheddar + onions5-Way: chili + spaghetti + grated cheddar + onions + red kidney beans
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Traditionally in Cincinnati chili, the fat isn't drained. You can use regular ground beef, but keep in mind you may want to skim some of the fat off the top as needed (it does add extra flavor, so that step is optional).
- Serves up to 10 depending on serving size and what else you serve with it.
- Nutritional information doesn't include toppings.
Nutrition Information
Calories
174kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.3g
Cholesterol
56mg
(19%)
Sodium
705mg
(29%)
Potassium
695mg
(20%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
960IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
41mg
(4%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 174
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 174kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 705mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 695mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 960IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 41mg | 4% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.