Prep Time:  20 mins
Cook Time:  5 hrs
Total Time:  5 hrs 20 mins
Servings:  8
Cincinnati Chili on Spaghetti

Since the 1920s, Cincinnati chili has served as a staple in Ohio diners and even spawned several chain restaurants dedicated to the dish. But now you can make it wherever you are with this smoked and braised Cincinnati chili recipe from our friend Jeremy Whitelaw of The Kitchen Whitelaw. He’s labeled his take on the Midwestern meal “tradition with a twist,” trading ground beef for a chuck roast then infusing it with smoky flavors before a tenderizing Dutch oven braise. Serve it as desired according to the Cincinnati chili “way” system, which we’ll detail below the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2½ lbs chuck roast
  • Beef Rub
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • ½ cup shallot, minced
  • ¼ cup garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Spaghetti pasta, cooked

Optional Chili "Way" Ingredients

  • Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Onions, chopped
  • Beans

Items You'll Need

Instructions

Instructions for Chili

  1. While the smoker preheats, liberally season your chuck roast with your favorite Beef Rub.
  2. Smoke the chuck roast for 1–2 hours, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a BBQ thermometer.
  3. Remove your chuck roast from the smoker and chop into 1” cubes.
  4. Place the beef cubes in a Dutch oven, then add the beef broth, water, tomato paste, minced shallot, minced garlic, cocoa powder, chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, and cumin. Mix well.
  5. Cover the Dutch oven, place it on the smoker, and raise the temperature to 300°F so the chili can gently simmer. Cook covered for 30 minutes, then cook uncovered for an additional 2 hours, or until the chuck roast cubes shred easily.
  6. Remove your chili from the smoker and serve over cooked spaghetti pasta. Top as desired with cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and/or beans, then enjoy!

The Cincinnati Chili “Way” System

As if the concept of the dish alone wasn’t brilliant enough, the ingenious Ohioans who brought us Cincinnati chili also devised a “way” system to serve as shorthand for desired toppings. They are:

  • Cincinnati Chili Two-Way: chili and spaghetti
  • Cincinnati Chili Three-Way: chili, spaghetti, and cheddar cheese
  • Cincinnati Chili Four-Way: chili, spaghetti, cheddar cheese, and onion OR beans
  • Cincinnati Chili Five-Way: chili, spaghetti, cheddar cheese, onion, and beans

Not sure which sounds best? Try them all! Then you’ll know how you like your Cincinnati chili — and exactly how to order this famous dish the next time you find yourself in an Ohio diner!