Homemade Cincinnati Chili

Name: Homemade Cincinnati Chili
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 25 min
Yield: 10 servings.
Ingredients: 3 pounds ground beef; 1-1/2 cups chopped onions; 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic; 2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce; 2 cups beef broth; 1/4 cup chili powder; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; Hot cooked spaghetti; Shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions, optional

The chocolate in this recipe threw me off at first, but now it's the only way I make chili. You'll find layers of delicious flavor in this heartwarming dish. It's well-worth the time it takes! —Joyce Alm, Thorp, Washington

Ingredients

3 pounds ground beef
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Hot cooked spaghetti
Shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions, optional

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.
In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the beans, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chocolate, cinnamon, cumin, salt, oregano, pepper and cloves. Stir in beef mixture. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until heated through.
Serve with spaghetti. Garnish with cheese and green onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 358 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 1141mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein.

Originally published as Chocolate Chili in Simple & Delicious January/February 2008

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Psalm127-3

Jul 6, 2017

wanna make this but this California girl wants real 'Skyline' Chili flavor. anyone know it this comes close? I'll wait for replies. thank you
CJ959595

Dec 16, 2013

I was born in Cincinnati and I am still here. Yes we love our chili. Beyond that I'm not crazy about the beans on my chili separate, but to each his own. I have been making this chili forever and I put the beans in the chili. I say eat your chili how you want, what is it going to matter....LOL. Fresh cut onions on the chili is the best, but I also cook the chili with very finely minced onions also. If you ever come to Cincinnati the best is Skyline, Gold Star is ok if you like a strong taste of cloves which I do not. Everyone enjoy your chili whatever way you like it.
brandangelak

Sep 21, 2013

First, I have to admit, I've never been to Cincinnati! But I decided to try this recipe after seeing a special on Cincinnati chili - I was definitely intrigued. That said, I didn't love it. It was OK, but the cinnamon flavor just seemed weird to me. I guess I'll just have to travel to Ohio and try the real thing before I make up mind completely!
MrsKase

Jan 27, 2013

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.
MrsKase

Jan 27, 2013

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

Jan 27, 2013

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!
Taygin

Nov 23, 2012

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!
muffbear74

Nov 8, 2012

This was wonderful! Then again, how can you go wrong with both chocolate AND cinnamon?
whatever41

Oct 31, 2011

I don't get the spaghetti thing, but to each his own. The chili is great by itself with bread and butter.
cindylu1231

Oct 31, 2011

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!