Authentic Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati chili is Ohio-style comfort food! This recipe will feed a crowd; serve over hot spaghetti or have it 4-Way with onions and Cheddar cheese.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 3 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 225 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 5 whole allspice berries
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 quart water, or amount to cover
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 0.25 cup chili powder
• 0.5 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place ground beef in a large pan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil, stirring and breaking up beef with a fork to a fine texture. Slowly boil until meat is thoroughly cooked, about 30 minutes.

Step 2

Add onions, tomato sauce, vinegar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and chocolate. Stir in chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper until well mixed. Add cloves, allspice berries, and bay leaf.

Step 3

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Add water if necessary to prevent chili from burning.