Top 4 Cincinnati Chili Recipes

If you love chili, chances are that you’ve made a version of it in your home at least once or twice. Chili is a versatile dish that is great to keep in rotation, especially during winter months. This is because it is hearty, warming and easy to prepare. Chili is the perfect dish to throw into a slow cooker, move on with your day and come back later to a fully prepared meal ready to enjoy. And because it is an entire meal in itself, you do not have to worry about making any side dishes — with the exception of a nice batch of cornbread or grabbing a box of crackers. You may have seen several types of chili recipes before, but there is one in particular that is a bit different from the rest. Originating back in 1922, Cincinnati chili is in a league of its own. Known for its distinct flavor, Cincinnati chili is one of the most popular and well known versions of chili on Earth. If you’ve never tried this chili, then you are in for a real treat. Read on to learn more about the top 4 Cincinnati chili recipes.

How is Cincinnati Chili different from other versions?

As stated, Cincinnati chili is distinct from other types of chili. Many chili recipes call for savory ingredients like cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. But Cincinnati chili has a sweeter flavor, and incorporates spices like allspice, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Surprisingly, some recipes even use cocoa powder. So this chili really is a sweet treat!

Blended Cincinnati Chili

Blended Cincinnati Chili is not your traditional chili. It more resembles a sauce traditionally served on top of spaghetti or hot dogs. This recipe is interesting in that, like other Cincinnati chili recipes, it uses spaghetti noodles. It describes Cincinnati chili as more of a sauce than a typical chili, served over spaghetti as if it is a pasta dish. As previously mentioned, this recipe calls for a form of chocolate, and this time it’s bittersweet chocolate chips. And don’t forget mushrooms to the sauce.

Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili

A meat sauce full of unique seasonings. It’s definitely NOT like any chili you’ve had before! The Chunky Chef refers to this delicious chili as Skyline Chili, a nickname that originated from a Cincinnati restaurant called Skyline Chili, which was named for the wonderful skyline of the city. This recipe shows you how to make the chili and assemble it with different dishes as a bowl or on a coney, or hot dog.

Gold Star Cincinnati Chili

The original recipe of this sauce comes from Greek immigrants who brought this lovely dish to the Midwest. It was first served out of a stand by the Empress Theater in Cincinnati. This recipe suggests pairing the main chili dish with Greek salad or a baked potato, and even having a funnel cake for dessert.

Chef John’s Cincinnati-Style Chili by All Recipes

You’ll like this recipe if you tend to enjoy foods from the Mediterranean, Greek food, the Middle East, or even Indian food, because of the spices and flavor profile. If you don’t, you won’t. It pays homage to the concept of preparing Cincinnati chili as a “Four-Way,” which includes the added components of diced onions and cheddar cheese in addition to the chili and spaghetti noodles.