Cincinnati Chili
A unique twist on traditional chili featuring ground beef, spices, and a hint of chocolate served over spaghetti.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef Regular ground beef works best.
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 3 cups water Sounds weird, but trust.
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Adds warmth to the dish.
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder or a square of unsweetened chocolate
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves If you're out, skip it.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt Plus more to taste.
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar Optional, if your tomato sauce is tangy.
- a few cracks black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large pot (Dutch oven style if you have it), combine ground beef and chopped onions.
- Pour in the water and use a fork to smash up the beef until it breaks apart.
- Add the tomato sauce, all the spices, cocoa or chocolate, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaf, salt, and optional sugar.
- Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Cooking
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove bay leaf at the end of cooking; the chili should be saucy but not watery.
Notes
Cincinnati chili tastes better after a day in the fridge. You can use ground turkey for a healthier option. Serve over spaghetti or experiment with chili dogs or baked potatoes.