Best 5 Cincinnati Chili Spice Mixture Recipes

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Cincinnati chili is a unique and flavorful dish that is a staple of the city's cuisine. Different from other chilis, Cincinnati chili is characterized by its unique blend of spices, including chili powder, cumin, and allspice, as well as its use of chocolate and cinnamon. It is typically served over spaghetti and topped with cheese, onions, and sour cream. The dish is believed to have originated in the 1920s and has become a beloved local favorite, enjoyed by people of all ages.

This article provides three different recipes for Cincinnati chili spice mixture, each with its own distinct flavor profile. The first recipe is a classic blend that uses a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. The second recipe adds a bit of heat with the addition of cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. The third recipe is a unique blend that includes cinnamon, allspice, and chocolate, giving it a sweet and savory flavor. With these three recipes, you'll be able to create your own delicious Cincinnati chili at home. Don't forget to experiment with different toppings and sides to find your favorite combination.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CINCINNATI SKYLINE CHILI



Cincinnati Skyline Chili image

This chili, usually served over spaghetti pasta, is quite different from the more common Southwest-style spice profile.

Provided by John Mitzewich

Categories     Dinner     Entree     Lunch

Time 11h50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

1-quart water, more as needed
2 pounds ground beef
2 cups crushed tomato
2 yellow onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon cloves, ground
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Add the water and beef to a 4-quart pot.
  • Bring to a simmer while stirring, until the ground beef is in very small pieces. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, onions, garlic, vinegar, Worchestershire sauce, bay leaf, chili powder, cocoa powder, cayenne, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Stir well and simmer on low, uncovered, for 3 hours.
  • Stir occasionally to avoid ingredients sticking to the bottom or sides of the pot.
  • Add water as needed if the chili becomes too thick. Once the cooking time has passed, remove from heat and allow the chili to cool off, covered, to room temperature.
  • Keep covered and fefrigerate the chili overnight. The next day, remove the layer of fat that has formed on top before reheating and serving over pasta or hot dogs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359 kcal, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 101 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 33 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 755 mg, Sugar 4 g, Fat 21 g, ServingSize 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

HOMEMADE CINCINNATI CHILI



Homemade Cincinnati Chili image

The chocolate in this recipe threw me off at first, but now it's the only way I make chili. You'll find layers of delicious flavor in this heartwarming dish. It's well worth the time it takes! -Joyce Alm, Thorp, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 5h25m

Yield 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 pounds ground beef
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Hot cooked spaghetti
Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the beans, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chocolate, cinnamon, cumin, salt, oregano, pepper and cloves. Stir in beef mixture. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until heated through. , Serve with spaghetti. If desired, serve with cheese and green onions., Freeze Option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add broth or water if necessary. Serve with spaghetti. If desired, serve with cheese and green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 358 calories, Fat 14g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 67mg cholesterol, Sodium 1141mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 33g protein.

CINCINNATI-STYLE CHILI



Cincinnati-Style Chili image

Provided by Katie Lee Biegel

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

16 ounces tomato sauce
12 ounces tomato paste
1 yellow onion, grated
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 bay leaves
2 pounds ground beef (I use chuck)
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 pound spaghetti, cooked according to package directions and tossed in olive oil to prevent sticking
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1 white onion, diced
Two 8-ounce blocks Cheddar, grated
Hot sauce, optional
Oyster crackers, for serving

Steps:

  • For the chili: In a stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, onions, chili powder, cocoa powder, sugar, kosher salt, cinnamon, cumin, garlic salt, allspice, pepper, cayenne, cloves, bay leaves, beef (do not brown first) and 2 cups water. Mix until combined. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 2 hours. Stir in the vinegar and simmer for another 30 minutes.
  • To serve: Serve on a bed of spaghetti and top with the beans, onions and a mound of cheese (or any preferred combination). Add hot sauce, if desired, and eat with oyster crackers.

CINCINNATI CHILI



Cincinnati Chili image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
Kosher salt
1 6-ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons chopped unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon cider or red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Freshly ground pepper
12 ounces spaghetti
1 19-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 pound grated cheddar cheese
Oyster crackers, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add half the chopped onions and the garlic and cook until soft, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, allspice, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne and cloves. Cook, stirring, until fragrant. Add the beef and cook the mixture, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon salt.
  • Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf and 1 1/2 cups water; simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thicker. Add the chocolate, vinegar and Worcestershire and cook until the mixture is thickened but still soupy, about 15 more minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain well.
  • Discard the bay leaf and season the chili with the freshly ground pepper. Divide the spaghetti among bowls and top with the chili, beans, remaining onion and cheddar. Serve with the oyster crackers if desired.

SIMPLE CINCINNATI CHILI



Simple Cincinnati Chili image

This is a simple recipe without a long list of ingredients, but it produces a rich, satisfying chili. My kids love this chili better than regular chili!!!

Provided by Charmie777

Categories     Spaghetti

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ground beef
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package mild chili seasoning mix
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
8 ounces about 4 cups cooked spaghetti, cooked
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped onion

Steps:

  • Cook ground beef in large saucepan until no longer pink; drain.
  • Add chili seasoning, cinnamon, beans and tomato sauce.
  • Add water to bring to correct consistency.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
  • Serve over spaghetti, topped with cheddar and onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450.7, Fat 18.4, SaturatedFat 6.9, Cholesterol 77.1, Sodium 951.6, Carbohydrate 39.3, Fiber 8.6, Sugar 6.8, Protein 31.4

Tips:

  • To achieve the authentic Cincinnati chili flavor, it's crucial to use a combination of spices, including chili powder, cumin, allspice, cloves, garlic, and bay leaves. Experiment with different ratios of these spices to find your perfect balance.
  • Start with a small amount of spice and gradually increase it to taste. Remember, you can always add more heat, but it's difficult to tone it down once it's too spicy.
  • Toasting the spices before grinding enhances their flavor and aroma. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  • Use fresh, high-quality spices for the best flavor. Avoid pre-ground spices, as they tend to lose their potency over time.
  • Store the Cincinnati chili spice mixture in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It will stay fresh for up to six months.

Conclusion:

Creating a flavorful and authentic Cincinnati chili spice mixture at home is a rewarding experience. With the right combination of spices and careful preparation, you can elevate your chili dishes to the next level. Experimenting with different ratios of spices allows you to customize the heat and flavor profile to your liking. Remember to toast the spices to enhance their flavor and store the mixture properly to maintain its freshness. Enjoy the delicious and unique taste of Cincinnati chili in the comfort of your own kitchen!

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