Carrie’s Cincinnati Chili

Name: Carrie's Cincinnati Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings (1-1/2 quarts).
Ingredients: 1-1/2 pounds ground beef; 1 small onion, chopped; 1 can (29 ounces) tomato puree; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) whole tomatoes, crushed; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 4 teaspoons chili powder; 1 tablespoon white vinegar; 1 teaspoon salt; 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 garlic clove, crushed; 3 bay leaves; Hot cooked spaghetti; Shredded cheddar cheese, optional; Additional chopped onion, optional

Every time we had a gathering or company, folks would request my cincinnati chili. My husband convinced me to enter it in a local chili contest, and I won third place! It's quick and easy. If I don't have fresh garlic, I use minced garlic in the jar. —Carrie Birdsall, Dallas, Georgia

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (29 ounces) tomato puree
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) whole tomatoes, crushed
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 bay leaves
Hot cooked spaghetti
Shredded cheddar cheese, optional
Additional chopped onion, optional

Directions

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef and onion, crumbling meat, until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, 6-8 minutes; drain. Transfer to a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker. Add next 11 ingredients.
Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours. Discard garlic clove and bay leaves. Serve on hot cooked spaghetti; if desired, top with shredded cheddar cheese and additional chopped onion.
Freeze option: Before adding toppings, cool chili. Freeze chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and add water or broth if necessary. Serve as directed.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 315 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 644mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Patricia

Sep 7, 2019

I live in the Cincinnati area, and love Cincinnati chili. But sometimes, it is simply too spicy for me. This recipe provides all the taste, and none of the stomach upset.
Cornelia

Dec 6, 2018

That is NOT Cincinnati style. She got it wrong at step 1 ...and made it worse with every single step there after.
rebelwithoutaclue

Dec 2, 2018

patsoh, I agree there are no tomatoes in Skyline Chili. My guess is that you could find some version of Cincinnati Chili that include tomatoes since there are dozens of recipes out there for CC. To be on the safe side, I would never include tomatoes in any chili recipe coming out of SW Ohio or N. KY.
patsoh

Nov 30, 2018

Cincinnati Chili does not have tomatoes in it. Check out Gold Star or Skyline. No tomatoes.
keytickler2003

Nov 30, 2018

I'm sure this is great, but as a Cincinnati native, I have a few suggestions. In the recipe I've used in the past for a Goldstar Chili clone, the hamburger was put into the pan with all of the other ingredients (not browned in a pan) and cooked several hours until it was fully done and of a crumbly, not chunky, texture). This gives it the true Skyline look. Also, I understand that a bit of cocoa or chocolate is added to give it a unique flavor. Quantity, however, is a closely-held secret.
frkeith

Nov 30, 2018

doesn't have the chocolate
Emily

Oct 25, 2018

I had Cincinnati Chili for the first time at Skyline Chili while on a road trip to North Carolina. I loved it so much, I made it when I got home! Thanks for the recipe.