Authentic Cincinnati-Style Chili
Experience the unique flavors of Cincinnati with this authentic chili recipe, inspired by the iconic Skyline Chili. Created by a Greek immigrant, this dish combines a medley of spices with rich, hearty ingredients. Unlike traditional chili, Cincinnati-style chili is typically served over spaghetti and topped with a variety of garnishes, creating a customizable meal that can be enjoyed '3-way', '4-way', or '5-way'. This rendition captures the essence of the original, ensuring a mouthwatering experience for both chili enthusiasts and first-timers.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
23
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
4 cups
tomato sauce
16 ounces (2 cans)
tomato paste
5 ounces (1 can)
onions
2 medium (chopped)
celery
1 stalk (chopped)
chili powder
2 tablespoons
fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons
dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon
bay leaves
2
garlic
4 cloves (finely minced)
ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons
kosher salt
1 teaspoon
black pepper
1 teaspoon
ground cumin
1 teaspoon
ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon
ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon
lean ground beef
1 pound
ground lean pork
1 pound
thin spaghetti
1 pound (cooked)
red kidney beans
2 cups (cooked)
onions
2 cups (finely chopped)
cheddar cheese
2 cups (shredded)
oyster crackers
as desired
Instructions
1
In a large, heavy pot, combine the water, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chopped onions, chopped celery, chili powder, fresh lemon juice, dark brown sugar, bay leaves, minced garlic, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, black pepper, ground cumin, ground allspice, and ground cloves.
2
Stir the mixture well until all the ingredients are blended together.
3
Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
4
Gradually crumble the ground beef and ground pork into the pot, stirring frequently to ensure the meat is broken into small pieces.
5
Once the mixture reaches a boil again, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 2 hours or until it reaches your desired thickness. Stir occasionally.
6
Remove and discard the bay leaves from the chili.
7
To serve, place a layer of cooked spaghetti on each flat soup bowl, ladle the chili over the spaghetti, and provide the additional toppings including cooked kidney beans, chopped onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and oyster crackers for personalization.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Cincinnati-Style Chili?
Cincinnati-style chili is a unique meat sauce characterized by Mediterranean spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, traditionally served over spaghetti rather than in a bowl.
What inspired this specific recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the iconic Skyline Chili, originally created by a Greek immigrant to capture the authentic flavors of Cincinnati regional cuisine.
How is this different from traditional Tex-Mex chili?
Unlike traditional chili, this version uses a thinner consistency, unique spices like cinnamon and chocolate-adjacent notes, and is served over pasta with specific 'way' configurations.
What does '3-way' chili mean?
A 3-way serving consists of a base of spaghetti topped with chili and a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
What makes it a '4-way' chili?
A 4-way includes the components of a 3-way (spaghetti, chili, and cheese) plus the addition of either chopped onions or red kidney beans.
What is a '5-way' chili?
A 5-way is the ultimate version, featuring spaghetti, chili, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and red kidney beans.
What meats are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses a combination of one pound of lean ground beef and one pound of ground lean pork for a rich flavor profile.
Do I need to brown the meat before adding it to the pot?
No, in this authentic method, the raw meat is crumbled directly into the boiling liquid mixture to achieve the signature fine, sauce-like texture.
What unique spices give it the signature flavor?
The unique flavor comes from a blend of chili powder, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, ground allspice, and ground cloves.
Why is lemon juice included in the recipe?
Fresh lemon juice adds a hint of acidity that brightens the heavy spices and balances the richness of the beef and pork.
How long does the chili need to simmer?
The chili should simmer uncovered for about 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to reach the desired thickness.
What type of pasta should I use?
Thin spaghetti is the traditional choice for serving Cincinnati-style chili.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the topping?
Finely shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese is the standard topping for this dish.
Are there any vegetables in the sauce?
Yes, the sauce base includes finely chopped onions and chopped celery for added depth and flavor.
What is the purpose of the bay leaves?
Bay leaves add a subtle herbal depth to the long-simmering sauce; they should be removed before serving.
Can I adjust the thickness of the chili?
Yes, you can simmer the chili for a longer or shorter period uncovered until it reaches your preferred consistency.
What role does dark brown sugar play?
Dark brown sugar provides a slight sweetness that complements the warm spices and cuts the acidity of the tomato sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to provide approximately 8 servings.
Should the kidney beans be cooked inside the chili?
No, the kidney beans are typically prepared separately and added as a topping for 4-way or 5-way servings.
What are oyster crackers used for?
Oyster crackers are a traditional accompaniment served on top or on the side for added crunch.
What tomato products are required?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of tomato sauce and 5 ounces of tomato paste to create a thick, savory base.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The 4 cloves of garlic should be finely minced before being added to the pot.
Is this chili spicy?
While it contains chili powder, it is generally more aromatic and savory than 'hot' spicy, making it family-friendly.
Should the pot be covered during simmering?
The pot should be covered to bring it to a initial boil, but simmered uncovered for the 2-hour duration to allow for reduction.
How should I prep the onions for topping?
The onions used for topping should be finely chopped to ensure they blend well with the cheese and chili.
Can I use different types of beans?
Red kidney beans are the authentic choice, but you could substitute other beans if preferred, though it will change the traditional profile.
What is the best way to crumble the meat?
Gradually crumble the meat into the boiling liquid and stir frequently with a wooden spoon to break it into very small pieces.
How much water is needed for the base?
The recipe requires 4 cups of water to start the sauce base.
Do I need to salt the chili?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper for seasoning.
Is this considered a hearty meal?
Yes, because it combines meat, pasta, cheese, and beans, it is a very filling and hearty comfort food dish.