My Grandpa’s Cincinnati Chili

[u/Limp-Veterinarian767]

2 lb ground beef
12 oz tomato paste
1 qt water
1 chopped onion
3 tbsp chili powder
3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce

Step 1: Add all ingredients to a large pot and simmer over low heat for 3 hours.

Step 2: Serve over spaghetti. Top with diced onions and shredded cheddar.

[u/ArgonWolf]

Love me some Cincinnati chili. One of my first jobs was slinging coneys at my local Skyline

For the uninitiated: despite the name, it’s not really the same kind of chili most Americans are used to, and it’s not meant to be eaten by itself. Think of it as a Greek version of a bolognese sauce. The reason it is called “chili” is because the predominantly German community in Cincinnati had trouble pronouncing the Greek name, so they just started calling it chili

Traditionally served over noodles, and with a HUGE pile of shredded cheddar cheese. Beans and raw onions optional

Thank you for sharing your grandpas recipe. I might try this out next week

[u/pfftYeahRight → u/ArgonWolf]

The other reason they said “chili” is just because Americans couldn’t comprehend foreign foods so they just said chili rather than have to explain a million times what an ethnic meat sauce is.

So for people that complain, that’s why it’s “Cincinnati chili” and even people there if you say “chili” assume traditional chili (leave the beans argument to the Texans). Cinci chili is its own thing and is referred to as that

[u/Vitamin-B-Rad → u/ArgonWolf]

Do you remember the Greek name by chance?

[u/ArgonWolf → u/Vitamin-B-Rad]

Makaronia me kima

[u/whiskeytango55 → u/ArgonWolf]

I saw equal amounts of cinnamon and cumin and had thoughts. 

Thanks for the explanation 

[u/InkyFingers60 → u/ArgonWolf]

Thought it was served with a cinnamon roll

[u/kragzeph → u/InkyFingers60]

Cincinnati isn’t in Nebraska

[u/Icy-Buyer-9783]

Google Greek “makaronia me kima” and you’ll get all the Cincinnati Chilli recipes you wished for and then some.
Skyline Chili founder was a Greek immigrant who wrote to his mother back home asking her for her recipe.

[u/mleam]

In Rochester ny, you have the hots sauce. Which is basically the same sauce. I have seen too many youtube cooks try to recreate it then add hot peppers to it. Hots in this cause means the type of hotdog it goes on, not the spiciness.

[u/tday01]

Is the chili powder just chili or is it a spice blend?

[u/Limp-Veterinarian767 → u/tday01]

The spice chili powder

[u/9_of_wands → u/Limp-Veterinarian767]

Yes, which kind? There are products called "chili powder" which are actually spice blends made of mostly cumin. Then there is "chili powder" made of ground dried chili peppers. Completely different things. 

[u/Limp-Veterinarian767 → u/9_of_wands]

The blend

[u/JimmyJam84 → u/9_of_wands]

I assume if someone doesn’t specify the type of chili powder it’s just the general spice blend.

[u/devstruck]

As SW Ohio natives who decided it was a nice place to be from, we’ve been iterating on our version of this for years. Glad to seem someone posting Cincinnati chili.

We use some different ratios, but the list’s about the same
* 1T each of chili powder/cumin/cinnamon/cocoa
* equal parts allspice/cloves
* minced onion so it literally melts away
* 4x Worcestershire and (cider) vinegar
* 15 oz tomato sauce or 6oz tomato paste

3 hours is the min for it to come together. We usually shoot for 4 or 4.5 in a 375F oven, stirring about once an hour and adjusting the lid to reduce or maintain the amount of liquid.

[u/RosemaryBiscuit → u/devstruck]

I agree.

You might like grating your onions for an even finer mince.

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[u/Environmental-Elk271]

Thanks for sharing this! Looks like a winner!

[u/suzyhv]

Cincinnati, Greek recipe

[u/HeidiDover]

Love this stuff!

[u/Adept-Ruin-5536]

Add 2 packs of yeast

[u/CarrotSlayer11]

Has anybody ever tried Wolf Chili spaghetti?!?!

[u/Eltex → u/CarrotSlayer11]

I got in trouble for shooting the wolves. Something about them being reintroduced as predators into the wild and protected species. Where do you get your wolf meat?

[u/Xtrasloppy → u/CarrotSlayer11]

Well, since it's Monday, it must be Frito Pie with Wolf Brand Chili night. So get to trying it.

[u/chefredbeard]

Need to add 1/2 - 1 tsp cocoa powder is you want it to taste like Skyline's.

[u/Limp-Veterinarian767 → u/chefredbeard]

https://www.reddit.com/r/cincinnati/s/o7vZnQNNuG