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This Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili is a classic you can make right at home. 

This Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili is so delicious! A copycat for that famous Skyline Chili. This chili is fabulous served over spaghetti noodles piled high with shredded cheese, and makes an amazing hot dog chili. This chili has a few surprising ingredients that gives it that signature flavor.

I love delicious and easy dinners that I can just throw in the slow cooker and I know that everyone will love and this Cincinnati Chili is one of our favorites.

I love that I can just throw everything in the slow cooker and have a delicious, flavorful dinner that everyone really enjoys.  Whenever I find a dinner that everyone in my house eats that is amazing because I have some picky eaters!  And for it to be in the slow cooker? That’s a double win!

This starts with an easy flavorful chili that slow cooks all day with some special ingredients.  Then you can have it any way you like.  Some ways it is served it

• In a bowl with cheese and crackers.
• Over spaghetti noodles.
• On top of hot dogs.

There are also several additions you can make to this chili.   Some people have it as is, you can add a mound of shredded cheddar, add chopped onion, crackers, you can also add kidney beans.  

All of those variations can be served as chili, over spaghetti noodles or on top of hot dogs.  This would even be delicious over a baked potato. 

I love that you can customize this to your family’s taste, make it spicy, add in macaroni noodles, add beans to the chili, add your favorite seasonings, you can totally make this recipe your own.  You can also top this however you like.  Now traditionally its just kidney beans, onion and cheese but feel free to add scallions, black olives, jalapenos, cilantro, sour cream or avocado. 

Can we also take a minute to talk about how budget-friendly this dinner is?  Everyone is feeling the pinch with the grocery bill right now and you can’t get much cheaper than ground beef and a few other ingredients.  So this is a fabulous dinner when you are trying to save a few pennies and it makes a ton!

Next time you want a family-friendly dinner even the pickiest kids will love throw these ingredients together and let the slow cooker take care of the rest! 

I promise your whole family will love these Slow Cooker Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili. 

You will want to make this dinner again and again! We do!

You will love this recipe because it is

• Easy and fast.
• Family-friendly.
• Budget-friendly.
• Full of flavor.
• A set it-and forget-it meal.
• Perfect for weeknights.
• Picky eater approved.

My favorite slow cooker for this recipe is this Hamilton Beach one.

Can I freeze this?

You can freeze this after cooking.  I would do it before adding any toppings or adding to the noodles.  If you freeze small portions they will be perfect for thawing any time you need some hot dog chili. 

Can I use any beans?

Yes, of course you can use whatever bean your family prefers like black beans or pinto beans.  Traditionally this is served with red kidney beans. 

What should I serve this with?

This is a great dish on it’s own but it is really good with a salad or some cornbread on the side.  I actually like to serve it with this Classic Corn Casserole.

Can I make this spicier?

You can add red pepper flakes or sriracha, add fresh or canned jalapenos to the chili while cooking or top with jalapeno slices before serving to give this a kick. 

 

Ingredients used

• Ground Beef – I like to use a lean ground beef for this.
• Onion – This is the onion that gets cooked with the chili, not the one for topping.
• Tomato Sauce – Helps create the base, use your favorite brand. 
• Baking Chocolate – I know it sounds weird, but it is what makes this chili special.
• Chili Powder – Use a good quality for this seasoning. 
• Cinnamon – Again I know this sounds weird, but its just a little bit and just enough to add a special little taste to this chili.
• Garlic Powder – For flavor, use your favorite. 
• Cumin –  This adds a great chili flavor. 
• Allspice –  Also a little out of place for chili but trust me this is helps give the chili its unique taste.
• Ground Cloves – I promise you won’t be able to tell it is in there but it helps give this chili a great depth of flavor. 
• Red Pepper Flakes –  Just a little for a little kick. 
• Sugar – Sugar helps balance everything out and cut the acidity in the tomato sauce.
• Vinegar – Cuts through the richness of the chili. 
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – This is for topping you want a good mound of it on your chili. 
• Red Kidney Beans –  These are optional, I like to use the lite ones. 
• White Onion – This is a fresh chopped onion for topping. 
• Spaghetti noodles – Goes on the bottom of the chili. 

How to make Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

 

1. FULL RECIPE BELOW
2. To your slow cooker add the browned beef, onion, water, tomato sauce, chocolate, chili powder, cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin, allspice, ground cloves, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, sugar and vinegar.
3. Stir it all together and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high 2-4 hours.
4. Serve over hot dogs, or spaghetti noodles.
5. You can serve this a number of ways, just on the noodles, topped with kidney beans, topped with onions, topped with cheese.  Any combination of those is equally delicious.

 

Want more Easy Family Friendly Dinners? Check these out!

• Slow Cooker Tatertot Casserole
• Slow Cooker Chicken Cobbler

• Slow Cooker Chili Mac

• Classic Spoonburgers
• Slow Cooker Frito Pie
• Easy 3 Ingredient Chili

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

This Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili is so delicious!  A copycat for that famous Skyline Chili.  This chili is fabulous served over spaghetti noodles piled high with shredded cheese, and makes an amazing hot dog chili. This chili has a few surprising ingredients that gives it that signature flavor

Print

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained
• Half of a small onion, diced fine
• 1 cup water
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• Shredded cheddar cheese for topping
• Red kidney beans for topping
• Diced white onion for topping
• Cooked spaghetti

Instructions

1. To your slow cooker add the browned beef, onion, water, tomato sauce, chocolate, chili powder, cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin, allspice, ground cloves, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, sugar and vinegar.
2. Stir it all together and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high 2-4 hours.
3. Serve over hot dogs, or spaghetti noodles.
4. You can serve this a number of ways, just on the noodles, topped with kidney beans, topped with onions, topped with cheese.  Any combination of those is equally delicious.

Notes

Depending on your slow cooker this can either get thick or thin, so if it gets too thick just add a splash of water.  If you want it thicker, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to ¼ cup cold water and add that until you get your desired thickness.

Store this chili in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This freezes beautifully so place it in an freezer gallon bag in the freezer so you can have this delicious chili anytime!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 554Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 689mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 47g