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If you are looking for a meaty chili, make this Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili. It is loaded with flavor and the combination of the spices makes this the best chili.
Crock Pot Cincinnati Chili is a twist on your classic Chili Recipe. Making this chili in the slow cooker allows you dump everything in and let the crockpot do all the work.
We love making Slow Cooker Recipes especially chili. Being a mom of 8, we make a lot of chili for game day parties and this is one of our favorites. If you love this chili recipe, try this recipe – Slow Cooker Brisket Chili or Easy Crock Pot Chili.
Table of Contents
What is Cincinnati Chili?
Cincinnati Chili Recipe Slow Cooker is a meaty chili that can be served over hot dogs or spaghetti. This hearty chili originated in Cincinnati, Ohio by two brothers and is being served as Skyline Chili in a former employee’s restaurant.
This chili is delicious served with your favorite topping but it is best known to be served with a large helping of cheese.
This chili is delicious made in the slow cooker or you can make it Stovetop Cincinnati Chili.
Ingredients:
- Ground Beef
- Olive Oil
- Onion (finely chopped)
- Tomato Sauce (8 ounces each)
- Tomato Paste
- Chili Powder
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sugar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Grated Unsweetened Chocolate
- Chicken Broth
- Water
- Minced Garlic
- Ground Cinnamon
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Ground Allspice
- Ground Cloves
- Bay Leaf
For Serving:
- Cooked Spaghetti
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Chopped Onions
- Red Kidney Beans
Scroll to the bottom for the recipe card to see the full recipe and ingredients.
Variations Ideas:
- Meat – We used ground beef in this recipe but you can easily substitute with ground turkey or lean ground beef. Feel free do a combination of both for a delicious turkey chili.
- Broth – You can substitute the chicken broth with beef broth if you prefer.
- Spices – There are a lot of spices that are used in this recipe. Feel free to substitute or an in what you prefer. We have added in brown sugar, cumin or cloves garlic instead of minced garlic.
- Cocoa Powder – Substitute the unsweetened chocolate with cocoa powder if you prefer.
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1 – Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Break it up as it cooked. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2 – Add the beef to the crock pot.
Step 3 – Stir in the remaining ingredients including allspice and ground cloves.
Step 4 – Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Step 5 – Remove the bay leaf and serve over spaghetti noodles with your desired toppings. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Combining Ingredients – After cooking the ground beef, combine the ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir until completely combined.
- Cooking Time – You can cook the chili on low or high in your crockpot.
How to Serve:
Cincinnati style chili is usually serve on top of cooked spaghetti noodles. When you order from the chili parlors, there are different ways that you can order it. We recommend adding a side of oyster crackers.
- Two-Way – This is just the chili and spaghetti.
- Three-Way – Top the chili spaghetti with a large amount of shredded cheese.
- Four-Way – Add Diced Onions on top of the cheese
- Five-Way – Add cheese, onions and kidney beans for the ultimate Cincinnati Chili.
Frequently Asked Questions:
In this recipe, recommend cooking the ground beef in a skillet. But if you have an Instant Pot Aura, you can cook it in the slow cooker.
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Crockpot Cincinnati Chili can placed in a freezer safe container and frozen up to 3 months
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes:
We love hearing from you. Make sure to leave us a comment if you try this Cincinnati Chili Slow Cooker Recipe.
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion finely chopped
- 2 cans tomato sauce 8 ounces each
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ounce grated unsweetened chocolate
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 cups Water
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- For Serving:
- Cooked Spaghetti
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Chopped Onions
- Red Kidney Beans
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Break it up as it cooked. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the beef to the crock pot.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve over spaghetti with your desired toppings. Enjoy!
