Description
This Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili recipe offers a rich and flavorful take on the classic dish. Ground beef is combined with a blend of spices, tomato paste, and sauce then slow-cooked to develop deep, complex flavors. Serve it over spaghetti with traditional toppings like shredded cheddar, diced onions, and beans for a comforting and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Base
- 2 lbs. 80/20 ground beef (browned and drained)
- 1 large white onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Tomato and Sauces
- 4.5 oz. tomato paste
- 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Spices
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp. dark chili powder
- ¼ tsp. cloves
- ¼ tsp. allspice
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
To Serve
- Cooked spaghetti noodles
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Diced white onion
- Canned kidney beans (drained, rinsed, and warmed)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat and transfer the beef to your slow cooker.
- Combine Ingredients: Add diced onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker. Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, cumin, chili powder, cloves, allspice, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all elements evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 5 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the chili to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve the chili hot. Traditionally, spoon it over cooked spaghetti noodles and top with shredded cheddar cheese, diced white onions, and warmed kidney beans. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful Cincinnati classic!
Notes
- For a thicker chili, cook on LOW for the full 5 hours.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your spice preference to make it milder or spicier.
- Browning the ground beef before slow cooking removes excess fat and improves flavor.
- This chili can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For authentic Cincinnati chili experience, try “ways” styling: 2-way with spaghetti and chili, 3-way add shredded cheddar, 4-way add onions or beans, and 5-way add both onions and beans.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cincinnati chili, slow cooker chili, ground beef chili, Cincinnati style chili, classic chili recipe, spaghetti chili
