Classic Cincinnati Chili

People rave that this Cincinnati chili recipe tastes just like the one from Skyline, but it’s simple enough to make right at home!

What is Cincinnati Chili?

Cincinnati chili (also known as Cincinnati-style chili) is a spiced meat sauce with Mediterranean influences, commonly served over spaghetti or hot dogs. It differs from chili con carne in flavor and texture and is generally used as a topping, whereas chili con carne is often eaten on its own in a bowl.

Ingredients for Cincinnati Chili

Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare this classic Cincinnati chili recipe:

• Beef: This Cincinnati chili recipe starts with two pounds of lean ground beef. 
• Water: Boil the meat in about a quart of water. 
• Onion and garlic: Finely chopped onions and garlic lend bold flavor. 
• Tomato sauce: Canned tomato sauce is the perfect rich base. 
• Vinegar: Two tablespoons of vinegar bring welcome brightness. 
• Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce takes the flavor up a notch. 
• Chocolate: Unsweetened chocolate is the secret ingredient that adds rich flavor. 
• Seasonings: Season the Cincinnati chili with chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, whole cloves, whole allspice berries, and a bay leaf. 

How to Prepare Cincinnati Chili

The full, detailed recipe is below, but here’s a quick summary of what to expect when making your own Cincinnati chili from scratch:

1. Brown the beef.
2. Stir in the remaining ingredients as directed in the recipe.
3. Let it simmer for approximately three hours.
4. Serve the chili over a bed of spaghetti.

Cooking Tip

Serving Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati chili is served using the “way” system, where the number before ‘way’ represents the toppings you choose. Here are the popular ways to enjoy Cincinnati chili, whether in a restaurant or at home:

• 2-Way: Chili + spaghetti
• 3-Way: Chili + spaghetti + shredded Cheddar cheese
• 4-Way: Chili + spaghetti + diced onions + shredded Cheddar cheese
• 5-Way: Chili + spaghetti + red kidney beans + diced onions + shredded Cheddar cheese.

Storing Cincinnati Chili

Keep your Cincinnati chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until it’s heated through.

Can Cincinnati Chili Be Frozen?

Absolutely! You can freeze Cincinnati chili for up to three months. Simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until warmed thoroughly.

Community Feedback and Tips

“This recipe is amazing,” says betelach. “It’s got an earthy, spicy, and savory flavor all at once. The only change I made was using homemade beef stock instead of water.”

“This tastes just like the Skyline chili I remember from my childhood,” says Be Loeb. “I recommend letting the finished chili sit in the fridge for at least a day to let the flavors meld.”

“I’ve never had the original Skyline Chili in Cincinnati, but I made this recipe tonight and it was fantastic,” shares Amy Louise. “It would also be a great meat sauce for chili fries, nachos, and more.”

Editorial input by Corey Williams

Ingredients List

• 2 pounds lean ground beef

• 1 quart water, or amount to cover

• 2 onions, finely chopped

• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

• 2 tablespoons vinegar

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• ½ (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate

• ¼ cup chili powder

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

• 5 whole cloves

• 5 whole allspice berries

• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

Prepare all your ingredients.

Add ground beef to a large pan, cover it with cold water, and bring it to a boil. Stir the beef with a fork to break it into small crumbles. Let it simmer until the meat is fully cooked, about 30 minutes.

Add the onions, tomato sauce, vinegar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and chocolate to the pan. Then, stir in chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper until everything is evenly combined. Finish by adding the cloves, allspice berries, and bay leaf.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 3 hours. Add water if needed to prevent the chili from burning.

Nutritional Information (per serving)