Description
Hearty Cincinnati chili delights taste buds with its unique blend of Mediterranean and Midwestern flavors. Meat lovers can savor this Cincinnati classic served over spaghetti or hot dogs, promising a comforting meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
- 1 lb (450 g) cooked spaghetti
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsps chili powder
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- Oyster crackers
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Crumble ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking protein into fine, uniform pieces while gently incorporating water to enhance texture.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic within the meat, allowing them to soften and infuse their robust flavors into the protein base.
- Spice Integration: Blend an intricate mixture of chili powder, cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, cumin, cloves, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly massage spices into the meat, creating a complex flavor landscape.
- Liquid Dimension: Pour beef broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and optional sweetener into the skillet. Stir to create a harmonious liquid foundation.
- Simmering Transformation: Introduce a bay leaf, bringing the mixture to an initial boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the chili to develop depth and concentrate flavors for 1-2 hours, stirring periodically.
- Final Assembly: Remove bay leaf and prepare layered presentation. Construct the dish by spreading spaghetti as a base, covering with the rich meat sauce, sprinkling shredded cheese, and optionally garnishing with diced onions or beans.
- Serving Flourish: Top with oyster crackers and serve immediately to preserve optimal temperature and textural complexity of the Cincinnati-style chili.
Notes
- Meat Texture Mastery: Use water while cooking ground beef to break it into ultra-fine, smooth fragments preventing clumpy consistency.
- Spice Blending Strategy: Toast spices briefly before adding to enhance their aromatic compounds and deepen flavor complexity.
- Simmering Secret: Maintain low, gentle heat during cooking to allow gradual flavor melding and prevent burning or scorching.
- Customization Flexibility: Adjust spice ratios for personal preference, considering reducing cocoa or cinnamon for milder profiles or adding more chili powder for increased heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg