The Midwest has its own flair to topping off their bratwurst. This year for National Bratwurst Day, we will be enjoying Cincinnati-Style Chili Cheese Bratwurst using Johnsonville Bratwurst!
I am not originally from Cincinnati, but I guess you can go ahead and call me a “Cincinnatian” at this point. I’ve been here for 18 years, which is half of my life. So, I guess it’s time for me to claim my new hometown. Being a Cincinnatian comes with indulging in certain local delicacies such as Graders Ice Cream and Cincinnati-Style Chili, which is pretty different from your standard chili.
What’s in Cincinnati Chili
The first time I had Cincinnati Style Chili was in college as a student at the University of Cincinnati. I immediately noticed that it was unlike any chili I had ever tasted. I couldn’t put my finger on flavors but I knew it was different, right away. I love 3-Way Cincinnati Chili. It’s about the finely shredded cheese for me and the oyster crackers for the crunch doesn’t hurt. Anyway, back to the chili, the secret I figured out in Cincinnati Chili was cinnamon and chocolate! Yes child, chocolate! I was definitely a skeptic at first, but when I made it on my own, I couldn’t believe the depth of flavor that adding chocolate provided to chili!
Cincinnati-Style Chili Cheese Bratwurst
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Make these Cincinnati-Style Chili Cheese Bratwurst with Johnsonville bratwurst and easy Cincinnati Chili topped with finely shredded cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. Olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 15 oz. tomato sauce
- 6 oz. tomato paste
- ½ c. dark kidney beans
- 1.75 oz. Cincinnati style chili flavor
- ⅔ c. water
- 1 package of Johnsonville Bratwurst, uncooked
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
- Hot Dog buns
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees or prepare your grill according to manufacturing standards.
- In a large pot, heat to medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the diced onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and allow to cook until fragrant for about 2-3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Chop the ground beef as finely as possible using a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Don’t drain the ground beef. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, kidney beans, and chili seasoning and stir. Add the water and stir once more. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender and blend the chili on low for about 1 minute. Just until the chili is less chunky (this is optional). Continue to simmer on low for about 5 minutes. Cover until ready to serve.
- If using the oven, place the bratwurst in a heavy-duty skillet sprayed with non-stick spray. For about 5-7 minutes on both sides. If using a grill, cook on the grill for about the same length of time on both sides. The bratwurst should be browned. Allow cooling slightly.
- Add cooked bratwurst to the hot dog bun, top off with chili, and finely shredded cheddar cheese and serve.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Main
Cincinnati Chili is cinnamon and chocolate, i could not believe.
Thank you for the fantastic recipe.
I like the way you expressed it. I must appreciate your style of writing which is user friendly i would say.
Please keep up the good work.
Let’s hope for the best.
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Thank you!
Hey Lady!
Good piece of Yummy dishes post found on your blog especially this one cincinnati
Lovable dish I’ve tried and felt the taste thought to leave my comment on your post.
Planning to try some other dishes too!
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