Cincinnati chili is a unique and delicious dish that is native to the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a thin, meaty chili that is typically served over spaghetti noodles and topped with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and oyster crackers. Cincinnati chili is made with a variety of spices, including chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. It also contains a secret ingredient: unsweetened chocolate.
Cincinnati chili is a popular dish in the city, and there are many different recipes for it. Some recipes call for ground beef, while others call for chopped beef. Some recipes also include beans, but beans are not traditional in Cincinnati chili.
If you are looking for a delicious and unique chili recipe, then you should try Cincinnati chili. It is a dish that is sure to please everyone who tries it.
Here is a classic recipe for Cincinnati chili:
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Spaghetti noodles, for serving
Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and oyster crackers, for serving
Instructions:
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, cayenne pepper, and chocolate to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute more.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans (if using), Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and sugar to the pot. Stir to combine.
Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chili has thickened.
Season the chili with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the chili over spaghetti noodles and top with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and oyster crackers.
Enjoy!
Tips:
For a richer flavor, you can brown the ground beef in bacon grease or butter.
You can also add other spices to the chili, such as paprika, cumin, or oregano.
If you want a thicker chili, you can add a cornstarch slurry. To make a cornstarch slurry, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Then, whisk the cornstarch slurry into the chili while it is simmering.
Cincinnati chili is often served with oyster crackers, but you can also serve it with other toppings, such as shredded cheese, chopped onions, or sour cream.
Variations:
Skyline Chili: Skyline chili is one of the most popular Cincinnati chili restaurants. Skyline chili is known for its thin, meaty chili that is topped with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped onions. To make Skyline-style chili, simply omit the kidney beans and add a splash of red wine vinegar to the chili.
Gold Star Chili: Gold Star Chili is another popular Cincinnati chili restaurant. Gold Star chili is known for its thicker, spicier chili that is topped with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped onions. To make Gold Star-style chili, simply add a can of chili beans to the recipe and add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Vegetarian Cincinnati Chili: To make vegetarian Cincinnati chili, simply omit the ground beef and use vegetarian ground beef instead. You can also add other vegetables to the chili, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
No matter how you choose to make it, Cincinnati chili is a delicious and unique dish that is sure to please everyone who tries it.