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Cincinnati Chili

A unique chili featuring a rich, spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti, with notes of cinnamon and chocolate that create an extraordinary flavor profile.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Regional
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 4 cups water (or 2 cups water and 2 cups beef broth)
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup finely diced onion
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 ounce dark chocolate or 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder adds depth to the flavor
  • 1 bay leaf
Toppings
  • Cooked spaghetti noodles traditional base
  • Hot dogs for a Coney-style meal
  • Beans for added texture
  • Diced onion for a fresh bite
  • Shredded cheddar cheese piled high
  • Oyster crackers for crunch

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large Dutch oven, whisk together the water and tomato paste until fully combined with no lumps.
  2. Add the ground beef directly into the pot and crumble it apart finely.
  3. Stir in the diced onion, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
  4. Add the salt, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, chocolate, and bay leaf, mixing thoroughly.
Cooking
  1. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  2. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid, letting it cook slowly for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Skim off any excess grease from the surface periodically.
Cooling and Serving
  1. Once cooking is finished, let the chili cool down to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight.
  2. The next day, remove the solidified grease from the top.
  3. Reheat the chili over medium heat and serve it over cooked spaghetti noodles or hot dogs, adding toppings as desired.

Notes

This chili can be made ahead of time and tastes better the next day. It freezes well for up to three months.