Skip to Main Content
Test Kitchen Approved

Cincinnati Chili

Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 10 servings

recipe image

About

A beloved regional dish inspired by the Ohio Skyline, Cincinnati Chili can now be enjoyed in the comforts of your own home — regardless of geography! Flavored with all the classic chili spices, this recipe has one particular ingredient you might not expect — chocolate. Cincinnati Chili is hearty, incredibly satisfying, and sure to warm you up when the temperatures drop. Enjoy this chili on a hot dog, atop spaghetti, or all by itself with some fresh cornbread. The best part? It’s ready in just 30 minutes!

Recommended Articles

Ingredients

  • For the chili:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 onions, finely chopped
  • 1 ounce chocolate, unsweetened
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon oregano, dried
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 16 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • salt, to taste
  • ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional, for serving:
  • spaghetti, to taste, cooked and warm
  • cheddar cheese, to taste, shredded
  • dark red kidney beans, to taste, drained and cooked
  • onions, to taste, finely chopped
  • oyster crackers

Directions

Step 1 -Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.

Step 2 -Add 2 of the chopped onions and cook until they are tender and translucent.

Step 3 -Add the chocolate, the garlic, the chili powder, the oregano, the cinnamon, the allspice, and the cloves and stir.

Step 4 -Once combined, add the broth, the tomato sauce, the vinegar, the tomato paste, the brown sugar, and the Worcestershire sauce.

Step 5 -Add the ground beef and bring the chili mixture to a boil.

Step 6 -Reduce the pot to a simmer and allow it to thicken, about 25 minutes.

Step 7 -Season with the salt and the pepper.

Step 8 -Serve over spaghetti topped with the cheddar cheese, the kidney beans, the remaining onions, or the oyster crackers.

Explore More Favorites