Get ready for a flavor rollercoaster as we dive into the quirky world of Cincinnati Chili! Hailing from the Queen City, this Three-Way Cincinnati Chili will take your taste buds on a wild ride you won’t soon forget.
Now, let me spill the beans—I’m not a true Cincinnatian. Born and raised in Dayton, I found myself in this “Nasty Nati” after graduating from the University of Cincinnati. And boy, I had to adjust to the local quirks—pig statues, Bengals disappointments, and the infamous Cincinnati Chili, most known to be sold at Skylini, Goldstar Chili, or other local chili parlors.
But there’s one thing I just can’t get behind—Cheese Coney’s. Sorry, Cincinnati, hot dogs and this Cincinnati spicy stew aren’t my jam. Blame a bad childhood experience. Now that I’ve got that off my chest let’s talk about why you should trust me and this recipe.
Cincinnati Chili Culture Shock
Picture this: chili on spaghetti noodles. Yes, you heard that right! As a chili, or spicy stew in some places, lover, I was skeptical. Cinnamon, allspice, and CHOCOLATE in the mix? Madness! It took me years to give it a shot, starting with chili cheese fries. Not bad. Then, I went all-in with a 3-Way Cincinnati dish, and surprise, surprise—I loved it! The layers of textures, the explosion of flavors, and, let’s not forget, the cheese. Oh, the cheese makes this dish shine!
Homemade Cincinnati Chili Recipe
Making Cincinnati at home is like creating a symphony of flavors.
Ingredients:
- Lean ground beef
- Onions
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Cloves
- Beef broth
- Tomato sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cocoa powder
- Brown sugar
Start by browning lean ground beef—cue the savory aroma! Add chopped onions and let the magic happen. Now, for the secret spice mix: chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Trust me; this blend will blow your mind.
Cooking Process
Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of cocoa powder. Yes, cocoa powder! The brown sugar adds the perfect sweet note, balancing the spices. Let it simmer, and your home will smell like a spicy and delectable paradise.
Serving and Toppings
Serve it over spaghetti, pile on the shredded cheddar, and let your creativity flow with toppings. Sour cream, diced onions, hot sauce—go wild! Your homemade Cincinnati is ready to impress. It’s thick or thin, spicy or mild—customize it to your liking.
Enjoy the Experience
Gather your crew, serve up your masterpiece, and watch as their eyes widen in amazement. Your homemade Cincinnati is not just a meal; it’s an experience. So, buckle up and savor the twist that sets Cincinnati apart. Get ready for a tasty revelation that will leave you craving more!
Commonly Asked Questions
Cincinnati is unique for its thin, spiced meat sauce, served over spaghetti and topped with shredded cheddar. The spice mix includes unexpected ingredients like cinnamon and cocoa.
The numbers refer to additional toppings. A 3-Way includes spaghetti, chili, and cheese. A 4-Way adds onions or beans, and a 5-Way includes both onions and red kidney beans.
Cincinnati traces its roots to Greek immigrant brothers in the early 20th century. Empress, established in 1922, claims to be the first to serve Cincinnati-style.
Absolutely! Cincinnati is known for its versatility. Get creative with toppings like sour cream, diced onions, hot sauce, or kidney beans to suit your taste.
Allow it to cool before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer shelf life. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding water or broth for consistency.
Similar Recipes
If you like this recipe, you will enjoy the ones below:
- Award Winning Chili (Chili Con Carne)
- White Chicken Chili
- Turkey Chili
- Cincinnati-Style Chili Cheese Bratwurst
Three Way Chili (Cincinnati Style)
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Easy and delicious Three Way Cincinnati Chili Recipe made with chocolate, cinnamon, and other delicious spices. Top off with cheddar cheese, and you’re in the Nati!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 2 tbsp. Olive oil
- 1 c. onion, diced and more for topping
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2–15 oz. cans tomato sauce
- 6 oz. tomato paste
- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp. Chipotle Sauce
- 15.5 can Hot Chili beans
- 1/4 c. red wine
- 1 c. water
- 2 tbsp. Worcestershire
- 1.25 oz. Chili seasoning
- 1 tsp. Onion powder
- 1 tsp. Garlic powder
- 1 tsp. Pepper
- 1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper
- 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate
- 1/4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. Ground Allspice
- 1/4 tsp. Ground cloves
- 1 1/2 tbsp. Light brown sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 box of Spaghetti Noodles, cooked
- 1 lb. bag of Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Oyster crackers
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch Oven on medium-high heat and cook the onions until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes, careful not to let burn.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned all the way through. Chop the beef very fine using a spatula.
- Next, add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chipotle sauce, chili beans, and water, and bring to a simmer. Next, add the Worcestershire sauce, red wine, chili seasoning, onion and garlic powder, pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf, and chocolate. Stir until the chocolate melts. Season with salt to taste. Allow the chili to cook on low for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles, sprinkle with diced onions (optional) and a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese and oyster crackers (if desired).
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Entree
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
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