Best 7 Rootin Tootin Cincinnati Chili Recipes

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Are you craving a savory and hearty dish that embodies the essence of Cincinnati's culinary heritage? Rootin Tootin Cincinnati Chili is a mouthwatering stew-like dish that has captivated taste buds for generations. With its rich, flavorful broth, tender meat, and unique blend of spices, this iconic dish is a must-try for chili enthusiasts and food adventurers alike. Join us as we explore the culinary journey of creating this beloved dish, uncovering its origins, essential ingredients, and the secrets to achieving the perfect balance of flavors.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEF JOHN'S CINCINNATI-STYLE CHILI



Chef John's Cincinnati-Style Chili image

You'll love this chili if you tend to like foods from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Greek food, or Indian food, because of the spices and flavor profile. If you don't, you won't. If you finish this dish off with some diced onions and grated Cheddar cheese like I did, you'll be enjoying what they call in Cincinnati a "Four-Way," because of the four components, but feel free to serve as you like.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Chili Without Beans Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, diced
¼ cup chili powder
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon allspice
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons white sugar
3 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
6 cups cold water
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
1 tablespoon diced onion, or to taste
4 cups grated Cheddar cheese, or to taste

Steps:

  • Combine beef and tomato paste in a large pot. Rinse out the tomato paste can with a couple tablespoons of water and add to the pot with garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, allspice, cloves, black pepper, bay leaf, sugar, and salt. Add apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, and cold water. Mash and stir with a potato masher or a large whisk to break up the meat into fine pieces.
  • Place the pot over medium-high heat; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until flavors come together and chili reaches your desired thickness, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until very tender, about 12 minutes. Drain.
  • Taste chili and adjust seasoning. Remove and discard bay leaf. Ladle over spaghetti into serving bowls. Top with some onions and Cheddar cheese. Cut and scoop the noodles up with a fork like you're eating a casserole.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 752.8 calories, Carbohydrate 52.9 g, Cholesterol 151.5 mg, Fat 38.4 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 48.4 g, SaturatedFat 20.3 g, Sodium 1443.7 mg, Sugar 6.5 g

AUTHENTIC CINCINNATI CHILI



Authentic Cincinnati Chili image

This was handed down to me by Mom, a Cincinnati native. Skimming the fat makes this a healthier version than most, and gives it the right consistency. I like mine 4-way, with spaghetti, raw chopped onions, grated mild cheddar, and oyster crackers!

Provided by Melissa Hamilton

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Chili Without Beans Recipes

Time 11h45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 quart water, or amount to cover
2 onions, finely chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
¼ cup chili powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
5 whole cloves
5 whole allspice berries
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • Place the ground beef in a large pan, cover with about 1 quart of cold water, and bring to a boil, stirring and breaking up the beef with a fork to a fine texture. Slowly boil until the meat is thoroughly cooked, about 30 minutes, then remove from heat and refrigerate in the pan overnight.
  • The next day, skim the solid fat from the top of the pan, and discard the fat. Place the beef mixture over medium heat, and stir in the onions, tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, chocolate, chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cloves, allspice berries, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Add water if necessary to prevent the chili from burning.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 225.2 calories, Carbohydrate 10.1 g, Cholesterol 59.5 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 19.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 673.7 mg, Sugar 4 g

CINCINNATI CHILI



Cincinnati Chili image

Cinnamon and cocoa give a rich brown color to hearty Cincinnati chili. This dish will warm you up on a cold day. -Edith Joyce, Parkman, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 2h5m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
4 medium onions, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground allspice
3 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Hot cooked spaghetti
Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped tomatoes and green onions

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, pork and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, breaking meat into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add the beans, tomatoes, vinegar, cocoa, sauces, sugar and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours., Discard bay leaves. Serve with spaghetti. If desired, garnish with cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 421 calories, Fat 16g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 443mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 11g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

ROOTIN' TOOTIN' CHILI



Rootin' Tootin' Chili image

This is a chili recipe that my mom has made for years. She's passed this recipe on to me and now I make it a couple times a year when the weather gets cold. This chili is very good on the day you make it but EXCELLENT the day after when the flavors have had some time to meld. Its fantastic with some shredded cheddar cheese and Frito Scoops. Its also perfect for freezing and eating later for a quick and tasty meal.

Provided by Jason B

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 2h15m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 bell pepper, chopped and seeds removed
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped and seeds removed (optional)
2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chilies
6 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (I use Del Monte Fire Roasted)
6 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
6 (14 1/2 ounce) cans red beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
2 cups water

Steps:

  • Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Once browned, put in the onions, bell pepper and jalapeno. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and drain grease.
  • Return beef mixture to a large stockpot. Add the remaining ingredients and cover the pot. Simmer on medium-low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 585.2, Fat 12.5, SaturatedFat 4.3, Cholesterol 46.3, Sodium 2046.5, Carbohydrate 85.8, Fiber 22.4, Sugar 17.4, Protein 38.5

ROOTIN'-TOOTIN' CINCINNATI CHILI



Rootin'-Tootin' Cincinnati Chili image

Yes, there's root beer in this spicy chili, and it adds a nice touch of sweetness. Serve over spaghetti and let everyone add their own favorite toppings. -Holly Gomez, Seabrook, New Hampshire

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup root beer
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 beef bouillon cube
Hot cooked spaghetti
Optional toppings: crushed tortilla chips, chopped green onions, and shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add the tomatoes, root beer, chili powder, tomato paste, chipotle peppers, cumin and bouillon. Bring to a boil., Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve with spaghetti. Garnish with chips, green onions and cheeses if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 70mg cholesterol, Sodium 662mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

ROOTIN'-TOOTIN' NO-FAIL CHILI



Rootin'-Tootin' No-Fail Chili image

I've been making this recipe for years, and it's always a hit. Serve it alone, on hot dogs, with nacho chips, or top spaghetti with a sprinkling of shredded cheese for a kickin' chili mac!

Provided by jacru

Time 4h30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (32 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
3/4 cup chili powder
1 (14 ounce) can red kidney beans (optional)
salt and pepper
grated sharp cheddar cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • In a dutch oven, add oil and cook ground beef on medium heat until no longer pink, but not browned.
  • Add onion, green pepper, garlic and celery. Season with salt and pepper and saute until the vegetables become somewhat soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain mixture in a colander and add back to pot.
  • Add remaining ingredients (except cheese), stirring well after each addition.
  • Bring chili to a simmer, cover, and cook on stove 3 to 4 hours. If chili is too thin, put the lid ajar for last 30-60 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 653.1, Fat 39.2, SaturatedFat 14.1, Cholesterol 154.2, Sodium 1830.3, Carbohydrate 31, Fiber 11, Sugar 16, Protein 49

CINCINNATI CHILI CON CARNE



Cincinnati Chili Con Carne image

This recipe for Cincy's classic chili is an adaptation of one found in the International Chili Society's ''Official Chili Cookbook'' by Martina and William Neely. In this version, unsweetened chocolate adds depth, and a splash of vinegar lends a pleasant tang that cuts through the richness. Craig Claiborne and Pierre Franey brought it to The Times in 1981, and we've updated it here to include the traditional "five-way" serving suggestion: over cooked spaghetti sprinkled with grated cheddar cheese, kidney beans and diced white onion.

Provided by Craig Claiborne And Pierre Franey

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 1h40m

Yield 6 or more servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 cups beef broth
2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups finely chopped onions
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1/4 cup chili powder or more to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper or more to taste
1 bay leaf
2 cups fresh or canned tomato sauce
2 tablepoons cider or white vinegar
1/2 ounce (one-half square) unsweetened chocolate
Salt, to taste
1 pound spaghetti, cooked
8 ounces sharp cheddar, finely grated
1 15-oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 small white onion, finely diced
Oyster crackers, for serving

Steps:

  • Put the broth in a pot or Dutch oven and add the beef a little at a time until it separates into small pieces. Bring to the boil. Cover and let simmer 30 minutes.
  • Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are wilted and start to brown. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, hot red pepper, bay leaf and tomato sauce and bring to the boil.
  • Add the tomato mixture to the meat mixture. Add the cider or vinegar and chocolate. Bring to a boil and cover. Simmer one hour. Refrigerate. When ready to serve, skim off the fat, reheat and serve over cooked spaghetti topped with cheese, beans and onion.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1041, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 92 grams, Fat 50 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 57 grams, SaturatedFat 20 grams, Sodium 1596 milligrams, Sugar 13 grams, TransFat 2 grams

Tips for Making Cincinnati Chili

  • Use a variety of meats. The traditional Cincinnati chili recipe uses a combination of beef, pork, and lamb. However, you can use any type of meat you like. Just make sure to use a combination of meats that will give you a flavorful chili.
  • Brown the meat well. Browning the meat adds flavor and depth to the chili. Make sure to brown the meat in a large pot over medium-high heat until it is browned on all sides.
  • Use a good quality chili base. A good chili base will give your chili a rich, flavorful foundation. You can either make your own chili base or use a store-bought chili base. If you are using a store-bought chili base, be sure to read the label carefully to make sure that it does not contain any unwanted ingredients.
  • Add plenty of spices. Cincinnati chili is known for its unique flavor, which comes from a combination of spices. Be sure to add plenty of spices to your chili, such as chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder.
  • Simmer the chili for at least 30 minutes. Simmering the chili allows the flavors to meld together and develop. Be sure to simmer the chili for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you have time.
  • Serve the chili with your favorite toppings. Cincinnati chili is traditionally served with spaghetti noodles, shredded cheese, and onions. However, you can serve it with any toppings you like. Some other popular toppings include sour cream, oyster crackers, and hot sauce.

Conclusion

Cincinnati chili is a delicious and unique dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover meat. So next time you are looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, give Cincinnati chili a try. You won't be disappointed!

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