Top Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting an authentic cincinnati chili with ground beef brings comfort right to your kitchen table.

Midwestern culinary traditions shine through this hearty dish that blends unexpected spices and textures.

Regional pride bubbles up in every savory bite of this classic meal.

Warm aromas will drift through your home, promising a satisfying dining experience.

Layered flavors dance between chili, pasta, and traditional toppings that make this recipe uniquely delightful.

Signature ingredients create a memorable meal that connects you to ohio’s rich food culture.

You’ll want to gather around the table and savor each delicious spoonful.

Everything You Need For Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: A combination of meats that provides a rich and hearty base for the chili with deep, complex flavor profiles.

• Garlic, Onions: These ingredients add depth and a savory foundation to the chili, enhancing the overall taste and aroma.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Cinnamon, Allspice, Cloves, Cocoa Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: A carefully balanced blend of spices that creates a warm, complex, and robust flavor profile unique to this chili recipe.

• Diced Tomatoes, Beef Broth, Tomato Paste, Apple Cider Vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, Water: These ingredients contribute moisture, tanginess, and additional layers of flavor that help develop the chili's rich and deep taste.

How To Cook Up Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef

Step 1: Brown The Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble ground beef and pork into the pan, breaking into tiny pieces. Cook until meat turns completely brown and no pink remains, stirring frequently for about 8-10 minutes.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

• Minced garlic
• Finely chopped onions

Sauté the aromatics until onions become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet fragrance for approximately 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Blend Spice Mixture

• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Cinnamon
• Allspice
• Ground cloves
• Cocoa powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir thoroughly to ensure spices distribute evenly throughout the meat.

Step 4: Add Liquid Components

• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Tomato paste
• Apple cider vinegar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Water

Mix ingredients smoothly, creating a rich and robust base.

Step 5: Simmer The Chili

Reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and let the chili simmer gently. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure consistent flavor development. Continue cooking for 45-50 minutes.

Step 6: Final Flavor Development

Taste the chili and adjust seasonings if needed. Allow the mixture to thicken and develop a deep, complex flavor profile during the final 10 minutes of cooking.

Step 7: Rest And Serve

Remove skillet from heat. Let the chili rest for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld completely before serving.

Smart Tips For Perfect Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef

• Boost Meat Texture: Use a wooden spoon to break ground beef and pork into ultra-fine crumbles for a smoother, more uniform chili consistency.
• Layer Spice Complexity: Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to enhance their depth and release more intense, robust flavors in the dish.
• Control Moisture Balance: Add liquid ingredients gradually and stir consistently to prevent burning and maintain perfect sauce thickness.
• Quick Flavor Intensifier: Let chili rest after cooking to allow spices and ingredients to marry, creating a more harmonious and rich taste profile.
• Versatile Diet Adaptation: Replace beef and pork with plant-based ground meat or lentils for vegetarian and vegan-friendly versions without compromising overall flavor.

Twists You Can Try On Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef

• Vegetarian Chili Remix: Replace ground beef and pork with lentils, black beans, and quinoa for a protein-packed plant-based version that maintains robust flavor complexity.
• Lean Protein Power: Swap traditional meats with ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat alternative that keeps the hearty chili texture and spice profile intact.
• Keto-Friendly Chili Adaptation: Use ground beef, eliminate beans, increase vegetable content with zucchini and cauliflower, and serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• Slow Cooker Simplicity: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meats, cook on low for 6-8 hours to develop deeper, more concentrated flavors with minimal hands-on preparation.

Great Pairings For Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef

• Perfect Flavor Companions
• Pair with Crisp Lager: Select a light, refreshing German-style pilsner or Mexican lager to balance the chili's rich, spicy profile and cut through its robust meat flavors.
• Complement with Cornbread: Serve warm, slightly sweet cornbread with honey butter to provide a soft, crumbly texture that absorbs the chili's deep, complex sauce and offers a delightful contrast.
• Top with Sharp Cheddar: Sprinkle aged, extra-sharp cheddar cheese over the chili, allowing its tangy, nutty notes to enhance the meat's depth and add a creamy, melting element to each bite.

How To Store Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef The Easy Way

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days, ensuring the container is clean and cooled to room temperature before sealing.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Label with date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals until thoroughly heated to 165°F, preventing cold spots.
• Pour chili into a saucepan, add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent drying.

Top Questions On Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef

• Why use both ground beef and ground pork?

The combination provides a richer, more complex flavor profile and adds depth to the chili’s taste. Pork brings extra richness and moisture that beef alone can’t achieve.

• What makes this chili recipe unique in its spice blend?

The addition of unexpected spices like cinnamon, allspice, cocoa powder, and cloves creates a sophisticated, layered flavor that sets this chili apart from traditional recipes. These spices add warmth and complexity without overwhelming the meat.

• How do I prevent the chili from becoming too watery?

Simmer the chili uncovered during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to allow excess liquid to reduce and the sauce to thicken naturally. Stirring occasionally helps concentrate the flavors and achieve the desired consistency.

Why Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef Is Packed With Flavor

• Craft a Flavor-Packed Masterpiece: A chili recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience with complex spice combinations.
• Quick and Hearty Meal Solution: Perfect for busy families or individuals craving a satisfying dinner that requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum taste.
• Versatile Cooking Technique: Easily adaptable recipe that allows creative additions like beans, different meat blends, or toppings to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Spice-Lover's Dream Dish: Packed with rich, layered spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cocoa powder that create a sophisticated flavor profile beyond traditional chili recipes.

Cincinnati Chili With Ground Beef Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Cincinnati chili brings hearty Midwestern comfort to your plate with its unique blend of spices and unconventional layering. Meat simmered in rich, aromatic sauce creates a soul-warming dish perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Meat

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork (optional)

Spices and Seasonings

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Liquid and Base Ingredients

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup water

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef and pork, breaking it into fine crumbles until no longer pink, approximately 8-10 minutes.
2. Add minced garlic and finely chopped onions to the meat, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate all spices – chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, cocoa powder, salt, and black pepper – directly into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and water, stirring to combine all ingredients smoothly.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer the chili for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure consistent flavor development.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, allowing the chili to thicken and develop a rich, complex flavor profile during the final 10 minutes of cooking.
7. Remove from heat and let the chili rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld completely.

Notes

• Blend meats carefully by mixing ground beef with ground pork for deeper, richer flavor complexity.
• Crush spices freshly before adding to maximize aromatic intensity and release maximum flavor potential.
• Slow-cooking transforms this dish, allowing spices to meld and develop an intricate taste profile that distinguishes Cincinnati-style chili.
• Customize serving styles by offering traditional options like serving over spaghetti, hot dogs, or as a standalone hearty stew for versatile meal experiences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg