Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Reviewed on Jan. 27, 2013 by MrsKase

oh forgot wanted to say-since we eat grass-fed organic ground beef it is expensive so I use only 1 pound of ground beef and one pound dry soaked beans or 4 cans of organic beans. I have used a mix of black beans and kidney before too-this works good too.

Reviewed on Jan. 27, 2013 by MrsKase

I just saw I already reviewed this in 2011-see still lovin' it lol!!!

Reviewed on Jan. 27, 2013 by MrsKase

I grew up eating chili over spaghetti that my Mom called Cincinnati Chili but she used a box mix of seasonings called Cincinnati Chili and yes browned the beef in a fry pan. I eat a diet of minumum processed foods since 2010 and this recipe is so good-we have made several times in past couple years bc it tastes like Mom's without using a proceesed food packet. My whole family loves this chili and I have made it for others from Church and they all loved it and we had a Pastor tell us that his kids ate it even and they won't normally eat chili. I don't see why anyone would get bent out shape about authenticity but I am not from nor ever been to Cincinnati and if this how the locals act-never really want to go there lol!

Reviewed on Nov. 23, 2012 by Taygin

As someone who grew up in Cincinnati (and still lives nearby) I cannot believe the rudeness of supposed other Cincinnatians about how the chili is made. I can confirm as a fact that everyone has their own recipe for this chili around here. Some boil it, some brown it. Some use chocolate, some use cocoa. It's good either way and still retains the awesome flavor! To say you're "ashamed" over how some chili is made is unbelievable! And those of you who think the spaghetti or chili dogs are weird... just try them. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Reviewed on Nov. 08, 2012 by muffbear74

This was wonderful! Then again, how can you go wrong with both chocolate AND cinnamon?

Reviewed on Oct. 31, 2011 by whatever41

I don't get the spaghetti thing, but to each his own. The chili is great by itself with bread and butter.

Reviewed on Oct. 31, 2011 by cindylu1231

As someone who has lived in Cincinnati all my life, I have to say that the other reviews are correct in saying that the meat needs to be boiled in water. Next, we would never add the beans to the chili. They are added separately on top of the chili, along with chopped raw onion to make a 5-way. Then it's topped with finely shredded cheddar. We NEVER add green onions or sour cream!

Reviewed on Jun. 30, 2011 by jollyoutcast

Just like back home!

Reviewed on Jun. 17, 2011 by MrsKase

We love love love this chili, i made this several times as care dinners for church friends for people with kids b/c this is the only chili I have ever found that kids love! The magic of chocolate I guess=) I could care less if it is not what they serve in Cincinnati, everybody I have ever made it for and me and my family love this chili!

Reviewed on Apr. 04, 2011 by jodia1971

This in no way is anything like Cincinnati Chili!!! You do not ever brown the meat, you don't add green onions and never never never do you add sour cream (who ever it was that said that) If you do not know anyone in Cincinnati, you need to try http://www.goldstarchili.com/ or http://www.cincinnatifavorites.com/skylinechili.php and you can order the real thing online and have it shipped to you.

Reviewed on Feb. 05, 2011 by cherokee69

apparently none of you have ate the real cincinnati chili because the beef is not fried, it is placed in the liquid raw and broken up fine with the hands..This is a knock off and I would be ashamed to call it Cincinnati Chili.

Reviewed on Oct. 13, 2010 by Seminoles

Loved this! I visited Cincinnati a few years back and tried a couple different version of this and loved them all. Nice to be able to make it at home!

Reviewed on Oct. 02, 2010 by pamah

Hi - how much water do you use to boil and do you drain it before putting meat in crock pot?  thanks

Reviewed on Oct. 02, 2010 by pamah

hi - how much water do you use and do you drain before adding to crock pot?

thanks

Reviewed on Oct. 01, 2010 by Ronnienron

You obviously have not eaten Cincinnati Chili.

Reviewed on Oct. 01, 2010 by marbecca

I am from Cincinnati and we NEVER use green onions! You layer this...spaghetti, chili (boiled, not browned with onion), then a heavy layer of finely shredded mild cheddar cheese. That is what we call a 3-way; with raw onions, 4-way; beans added is a 5-way, then topped off with cheese. Always served with oyster crackers. No self respecting Cincinnatian would ever twirl the spaghetti on the fork. Cincinnati style is to CUT the spaghetti with your fork, starting from one end of the plate! That started because of the oval plates used in our chili restaurants.

Reviewed on Sep. 20, 2009 by vickiinmyhead

I grew up in Ohio and my mother is from Cincinnati, so the chili has been fed to me from a very early age. This is the best recipe that my mother has ever made, and she shared it with me.  It is great. I did not add beans and i browned the meat with water to give it the right texture. Other than that it was great. Add hot sauce and minced onions on top with fancy shredded cheese to get the best tate. Do the same when making chili dogs.Yummm.

Reviewed on Feb. 27, 2009 by ljustus414

I live in Northern Kentucky where this type of chili is king. I love this recipe and make it at least once a week. Once you get used to the cinnamon/chocolate flavor it is hard to eat it any other way.

Reviewed on Jan. 12, 2009 by jennyu

I wasn't sure we'd like this but it was good.  My husband ate his with tortilla chips and I used spaghetti and some raw onions on top.  We both had shredded cheese.  My 3 year old liked it a lot!

Reviewed on Jan. 12, 2009 by Weavo

I won't make this chili again. I tasted it after 4 hours in the crockpot and salvaged it with brown sugar and salt. I guess I like Pennsylvania chili better.

Reviewed on Jan. 06, 2009 by lillyjean02

You are suppose to top this with grated cheese , a dollop of sour cream and oyster crackers, and chopped onions are optional. Rosie

Reviewed on Jan. 06, 2009 by swbraden

Reviewed on Jan. 06, 2009 by Magilatootsie19

In true Cincinnati Chili the beef is boiled in water and not drain which is why you use the leanest meats.

be4good

Reviewed on Jan. 06, 2009 by eclaire

Re:Cincinnati Chili True Cincinnati Chili you do not brown the beef first you cook it in water for thirty minutes then add the rest of the ingredients

Reviewed on Jan. 06, 2009 by pamcanjam

I'm from the Cincy area & true Cincy chili does not have the beans in the chili...add cheese & we call it a 3-way, add onions, too & it's a 4-way. Add the kidney beans & it's a 5-way! Any way you eat it, is delicious!

Reviewed on Jan. 06, 2009 by cindylu1231

To make this a true "Cincinnati Chili," you need to sprinkle finely shredded cheddar cheese to the top.

Reviewed on Oct. 29, 2008 by pinkirishlace

This is, with out a doubt, the BEST chili I have ever tasted!!! The chocolate and the cinnamon "seal the deal"! Thank you for posting this recipe.