Cincinnati Five-Way Chili
A hearty Cincinnati Five-Way Chili featuring rich spices, chocolate, and beans, perfect for satisfying a crowd with bold flavors and customizable toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb finely ground chuck ⓘ
- 2 medium onions, chopped fine ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 cup tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon catsup ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon chili powder ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon paprika ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon honey ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin ⓘ
- 1/2 ounce unsweetened chocolate, grated ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon mace ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom ⓘ
- 1/2 dry bay leaf, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 8 ounces thick spaghetti, cooked ⓘ
- 1 16-ounce can red kidney beans ⓘ
Instructions
- Salt a large cast iron skillet. Turn heat to medium and add ground chuck, chopped onions, and minced garlic.
- Cook until all meat is browned.
- Add tomato sauce, catsup, water, and red wine vinegar to the skillet.
- As the mixture begins to boil, add chili powder, paprika, black pepper, honey, ground cumin, grated unsweetened chocolate, turmeric, marjoram, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ground cloves, mace, ground coriander, ground cardamom, crumbled bay leaf, and salt.
- Adjust spices to taste, adding more salt for flavor, turmeric and cumin for a spicier chili, cinnamon, cloves, and mace for sweetness, cardamom for extra flavor, and more chocolate for body.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat. If ground chuck is unavailable, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative. Adjust the spices according to your preference; for instance, increase the chili powder for more heat or add a bit of sugar if you prefer a sweeter chili.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Cincinnati Five-Way Chili over cooked thick spaghetti, topped with red kidney beans. For an authentic experience, consider adding shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, and a dollop of sour cream. This dish pairs beautifully with Cheddar Waldorf Salad for a refreshing contrast. It also works well with cornbread for a comforting meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm the chili on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cincinnati Five-Way Chili contains roughly 716 calories, with 15g protein, 94g carbohydrates, and 37g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (149% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (105% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (41% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 991mg per serving (43% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Cincinnati Five-Way Chili ahead of time?
Yes, this chili actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. Simply prepare it as instructed and let it cool before storing it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
What can I substitute for unsweetened chocolate?
If you don’t have unsweetened chocolate, you can substitute it with cocoa powder. Use about 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder mixed with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or melted butter to mimic the fat content of chocolate in the recipe.
Is this chili suitable for freezing?
Absolutely! Cincinnati Five-Way Chili freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).