Description
A Midwest classic made easy in the slow cooker! This Cincinnati chili is a unique spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti with classic “ways” toppings like beans, onions, and plenty of cheddar. Perfectly seasoned, comforting, and family-friendly.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Serving
- 1 lb spaghetti, cooked
- Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, kidney beans, oyster crackers
Instructions
- Brown the meat and onions: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until the meat is crumbled and no longer pink. Drain the excess grease to keep the chili from being too oily.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the browned beef and onions to the slow cooker. Add minced garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, chili powder, cocoa powder, Worcestershire sauce, ground cinnamon, cumin, paprika, allspice, ground cloves, bay leaf, and beef broth. Stir thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Slow cook the chili: Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken nicely.
- Finish the chili: Before serving, stir in the apple cider vinegar, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and remove the bay leaf to avoid any bitterness.
- Serve Cincinnati style: Serve the chili hot over cooked spaghetti. Then top according to classic Cincinnati chili “ways”: 2-Way with chili and spaghetti; 3-Way adds shredded cheddar cheese; 4-Way adds either onions or beans; 5-Way includes both onions and beans. Add oyster crackers as a crunchy side topping if desired.
Notes
- Authentic Cincinnati chili has a thinner consistency than Texas chili; add extra broth if needed to achieve desired texture.
- This chili can be made ahead of time—flavors develop and deepen even more overnight in the refrigerator.
- It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months; thaw and reheat gently before serving.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter, leaner version of the chili.
- To make it dairy-free, omit the cheddar cheese topping, and for a gluten-free meal, serve with gluten-free pasta or rice instead of traditional spaghetti.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Midwestern / American
