Cincinnati Five-Way Chili Recipe

Name: Cincinnati Five-Way Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon sweet paprika; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 2 lbs ground beef; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce; 1 1/2 cups water; 1/2 cup commercial barbecue sauce (a sweet, nonsmoky variety); 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate square; 2 bay leaves; 1 lb thick spaghetti, cooked; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup finely chopped onion; 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and warmed

Servings: persons

1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup commercial barbecue sauce (a sweet, nonsmoky variety)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate square
2 bay leaves
1 lb thick spaghetti, cooked
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and warmed

1
In a small bowl, combine the first 9 ingredients; set aside.
2
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
3
Add in ground beef; cook until meat is browned, breaking up into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
4
When the beef is browned, add in onion, garlic, spice mix; stir/saute 1 minute.
5
Add in tomato sauce, water, BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, chocolate, and bay leaves.
6
Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
7
Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour (it should look more like a thick sauce than the chili most people are used to).
8
Remove bay leaves.
9
To serve five-way: distribute spaghetti among 8 bowls; spoon chili over spaghetti.
10
Top chili with cheddar cheese, onion, and kidney beans.

1180

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 25 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and more.

Yes, Cincinnati Five-Way Chili falls under the Soups & Stews category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Cincinnati Five-Way Chili

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions