Authentic Cincinnati Chili Recipe: The Real 'Cin Chili' Guide

By Maya Gonzalez
Authentic Cincinnati Chili Recipe: The Real 'Cin Chili' Guide
Cincinnati chili (often misspelled as 'cin chili') is a unique regional dish from Ohio featuring a thin, spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti with specific toppings. The authentic recipe includes Mediterranean-inspired spices like cinnamon and allspice, and is traditionally served in 'ways' (2-way, 3-way, etc.) with cheese, onions, or beans.

If you've searched for 'cin chili recipe,' you're likely looking for the authentic Cincinnati-style chili recipe—a regional specialty from Ohio that's quite different from traditional Tex-Mex chili. This guide provides a genuine Cincinnati chili recipe with historical context, precise measurements, and serving instructions that honor the dish's unique heritage.

What Makes Cincinnati Chili Unique

Cincinnati chili originated in the 1920s when Macedonian and Greek immigrants adapted their Mediterranean spice traditions to American ingredients. Unlike chunky, tomato-heavy chili con carne, Cincinnati chili features:

  • A thin, pourable consistency (more like a sauce than stew)
  • Distinctive Mediterranean spices including cinnamon, allspice, and cloves
  • Serving over spaghetti (never beans in the base recipe)
  • Specific "ways" of serving with cheese, onions, or beans as toppings
Authentic Cincinnati chili served over spaghetti with shredded cheddar cheese, known as a 3-way

Historical Context of Cincinnati-Style Chili

The dish was popularized by immigrant restaurateurs like Tom Kiradjieff at Empress Chili in 1922. Kiradjieff's recipe reportedly drew inspiration from Mediterranean meat sauces, adapting them to local tastes. Today, chains like Skyline Chili and Gold Star continue this tradition across Ohio and neighboring states.

Authentic Cincinnati Chili Recipe

This recipe yields enough for 6-8 servings and takes approximately 2 hours (mostly simmering time).

Category Ingredients
Base 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
Liquid 4 cups beef broth, 1 (8oz) tomato sauce
Spices 2 tsp cinnamon, 1½ tsp allspice, 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp black pepper, ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
Thickener 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water
Serving Cooked spaghetti, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, kidney beans (optional)

Step-by-Step Preparation

  1. Brown the beef: In a large pot, cook ground beef over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add liquids: Pour in beef broth and tomato sauce, stirring to combine.
  3. Spice mixture: In a small bowl, mix all dry spices. Add to the pot and stir thoroughly.
  4. Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Thicken: Mix cornstarch with cold water, then stir into chili. Cook for 5 more minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Rest: Remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes before serving (flavors deepen as it cools).

Serving Cincinnati Chili: The "Ways" Explained

Authentic Cincinnati chili is served in specific combinations called "ways":

  • 2-way: Chili over spaghetti
  • 3-way: Chili over spaghetti with shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4-way: 3-way plus either onions or beans
  • 5-way: 3-way plus both onions and beans

For best results, serve the chili hot over cooked spaghetti, then immediately add your chosen toppings while the chili's heat melts the cheese.

Cincinnati chili served in different ways: 2-way, 3-way, 4-way with onions, 4-way with beans, and 5-way

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When preparing an authentic Cincinnati chili recipe, watch out for these pitfalls:

  • Over-thickening: Cincinnati chili should be pourable, not stew-like. Avoid adding flour or excessive thickeners.
  • Missing spices: The cinnamon-allspice-clove combination is essential. Omitting these creates regular chili, not Cincinnati style.
  • Adding beans to the base: Traditional Cincinnati chili never includes beans in the cooking process—they're only added as a topping option.
  • Using tomato paste: Tomato sauce provides the right consistency; paste makes it too thick.
  • Skipping the resting period: Letting the chili sit after cooking allows flavors to meld properly.

Variations and Modern Adaptations

While purists stick to the traditional recipe, some acceptable variations include:

  • Vegan version: Substitute beef with textured vegetable protein and use vegetable broth
  • Spice adjustment: Reduce cayenne for milder heat while maintaining authentic flavor profile
  • Slow cooker method: Brown beef first, then transfer to slow cooker with other ingredients for 6-8 hours on low

Storage and Reheating Tips

Cincinnati chili actually improves in flavor after 24 hours. Store in an airtight container:

  • Refrigeration: Keeps for 4-5 days
  • Freezing: Store in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months
  • Reheating: Warm gently on stove with a splash of water or broth to restore proper consistency

Why This Recipe Works

This authentic Cincinnati chili recipe balances historical accuracy with practical home cooking. The spice ratios reflect traditional preparations while remaining accessible to modern cooks. Unlike many online 'Cincinnati chili recipes' that add non-traditional ingredients like chocolate or coffee, this version stays true to the regional specialty that has delighted Ohioans for nearly a century.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Cincinnati chili and regular chili?

Cincinnati chili has a thinner consistency, Mediterranean spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves), and is always served over spaghetti with specific topping combinations. Regular chili is thicker, tomato-based, and typically includes beans in the cooking process.

Can I make Cincinnati chili without allspice or cinnamon?

While you can technically omit these spices, the result won't be authentic Cincinnati chili. The distinctive flavor profile relies on this specific spice combination. If absolutely necessary, reduce the amounts rather than eliminating them entirely.

Why is it called Cincinnati chili if it's so different from regular chili?

The name reflects its function as a meat sauce topping rather than its similarity to Tex-Mex chili. In Cincinnati, "chili" refers specifically to this regional dish, much like how "barbecue" means different things in different regions.

What type of cheese should I use for authentic Cincinnati chili?

Mild shredded cheddar cheese is traditional. The cheese should melt into the hot chili when added as a topping, creating the characteristic "cheese way" that defines Cincinnati-style serving.

How do I fix Cincinnati chili that's too spicy?

Add a teaspoon of honey or brown sugar to balance the heat. You can also increase the beef broth quantity slightly. Remember that the spice level often mellowes after resting for 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Maya Gonzalez

Maya Gonzalez

A Latin American cuisine specialist who has spent a decade researching indigenous spice traditions from Mexico to Argentina. Maya's field research has taken her from remote Andean villages to the coastal communities of Brazil, documenting how pre-Columbian spice traditions merged with European, African, and Asian influences. Her expertise in chili varieties is unparalleled - she can identify over 60 types by appearance, aroma, and heat patterns. Maya excels at explaining the historical and cultural significance behind signature Latin American spice blends like recado rojo and epazote combinations. Her hands-on demonstrations show how traditional preparation methods like dry toasting and stone grinding enhance flavor profiles. Maya is particularly passionate about preserving endangered varieties of local Latin American spices and the traditional knowledge associated with their use.