Skyline-Style Cincinnati Chili (Print version)
A homemade Skyline-Style Cincinnati Chili with fine-textured beef sauce, warm spices, spaghetti, and cheddar.
# Ingredients:
For the chili
01 -
2 lb (900 g) 85/15 ground beef
02 -
4 cups (950 ml) low-sodium beef broth
03 -
1 cup (240 g) finely chopped yellow onion
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
2 cans (8 oz each / 225 g each) tomato sauce
06 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 -
3 tablespoons chili powder
08 -
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 -
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
10 -
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 -
1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 -
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
13 -
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
14 -
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
15 -
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
16 -
1/2 oz (14 g) unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
17 -
1 bay leaf
For serving
18 -
12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
19 -
2 cups (225 g) finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
20 -
1 cup (170 g) cooked kidney beans, warmed, optional
21 -
1/2 cup (75 g) finely diced onion, optional
22 -
Oyster crackers, optional
# Instructions:
01 -
Add the ground beef, beef broth, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, and tomato paste to a Dutch oven while the pot is still cool. Stir and mash until the beef is broken into very small pieces.
02 -
Stir in the chili powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves, cayenne, salt, chocolate, and bay leaf.
03 -
Bring to a gentle bubble over medium heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is fragrant and slightly reduced.
04 -
Remove the bay leaf. Skim excess fat from the top, then taste and adjust salt or cayenne. Add a splash of water if the chili is too thick.
05 -
Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain well and divide among serving bowls or plates.
06 -
Spoon the hot chili over spaghetti and top with finely shredded cheddar. Add kidney beans and diced onion for a 5-way, and serve with oyster crackers if desired.
# Good to know:
01 -
For the finest texture, simmer the beef in liquid instead of browning it first.
02 -
The chili sauce tastes even better after chilling overnight.
03 -
Serve as a 3-way, 4-way, 5-way, or over hot dogs as coneys.