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Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

This post is sponsored by Reynolds® Kitchens and Socialstars; all opinions are my own #ReynoldsCrowd.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili is super simple to make and is full of spices, making it an ideal meal for a cold February night. Chili is always great for an economical and filling meal and when I want something a little different, I make Cincinnati Chili which is more like a sauce than a chili, but equally comforting.

I like to serve Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili over spaghetti and top it with beans, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped red onion, and oyster crackers.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

I think that’s what you call 5-way Cincinnati Chili. It’s pure comfort food and will warm you from the inside out.

And thanks to Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liners, you can enjoy a leisurely meal or have time for family games by the fireplace after dinner because there is virtually no cleanup with this recipe.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

There’s no precooking. Everything is combined in the slow cooker and if you line your slow cooker with a Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liner, cleanup literally takes 2 seconds. Just grab the liner and toss it in the trash. No need to soak and scrub food that’s gotten stuck on your slow cooker. It remains totally spotless and clean. That’s my kind of cleanup!

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

I’d much rather spend my time making something than cleaning a mess so I welcome any and all products that help in that department. Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liners are FDA compliant, safe for cooking, and designed to be used at high temperatures.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Once you have the ingredients for Cincinnati Chili assembled in the slow cooker, just put the lid on and let it cook away. A really long cooking time, about 4 hours on HIGH and 6 hours on LOW, really melds the flavors together. Chili powder, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves and unsweetened chocolate give the chili a unique and delicious flavor.

And it’s so much fun to pile those toppings on. Everyone can fix their’s just the way they want it.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

If you’re a fan of slow cooking (and who isn’t?), you won’t want to miss the Recipes on Reynolds Kitchen and be sure to follow them on Pinterest for even more comfort food ideas.

Watch the short video below to see how to make this recipe.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati Chili is easy to make in the slow cooker and has that unique Cincinnati-style chili taste.
PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 4 hours
TOTAL: 4 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liner
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 can beef broth
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • For serving spaghetti, red beans, shredded cheddar cheese, red onion, oyster crackers

Instructions

  • Line a slow cooker with Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liner.
  • Combine all ingredients except ground beef and toppings in slow cooker and stir to mix.
  • Break ground beef into small pieces and drop into slow cooker.
  • Cover slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6 hours.

Notes

Note: In Cincinnati Chili, the meat is typically very finely ground. If you want the chunks of meat smaller, place the cooked chili in a food processor and pulse it a few times.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal
Author: Christin Mahrlig
Course: Main Course

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23 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili”

  1. Lindsey Purdy

    I started making this chili recipe a few years ago and it’s now a staple in our house every year when the weather cools down. It’s a great recipe for a lazy Sunday as you literally throw it in the crockpot and leave it. I can’t say I’ve had Cincinnati chili before but the flavors of this recipe work for me! Love serving sour cream, cheese, onion, and crackers on top.

  2. Jenifir L Provateare

    I’m from Cincinnati and love me some Cincinnati chili. Unfortunately, this recipe misses the mark a bit. Cincinnati chili isn’t supposed to taste like traditional chili ! And this recipe just tasted like chili to me (it’s actually a delish crock pot chili recipe, just not Cincinnati-style flavor.) Too much tomato and too much chili powder. I’ll definitely try it again because the texture of the meat and the consistency of the chili is spot on! I’ll try eliminating the tomato paste and reducing the chili powder to 1 tbsp.

  3. Becca Nelson

    It says on HIGH for 4 hours AND on LOW for 6 hours… I just wanted to make sure that wasn’t a typo. Does it need to cook for 10 hours? I was born in Cincinnati and this is a family favorite – so I’m excited to try this recipe!

  4. Paula Coxwell

    Do I brown the meat first to get a fine cut and then cook it again in the slow cooker?

  5. Since I’m a Cincinnati girl and no longer have Skyline Chili readily available, I’m going to make this with my son when he comes from SC. I’ll let you know how close it gets.

  6. Hello, I’m making this today an noticed that it says 1 can of beef broth, but doesn’t mention the size of the can? Would u be able to let me know if it’s a normal 15 oz can size which is whT I bought but want to make sure I have enough liquid.

    Thanks so much!
    This chili is our favorite and I have only made it over the stove which is a labor of love so can’t wait to try the slow cooker method!

    Kimberly

  7. It sounds amazing. Only problem is a brown everything but chicken. Boiled hamburger doesn’t appeal to me no matter how much flavor you think you are getting from the slow cooker. I will brown the meat first. Thanks.

  8. Jessica @ Sweetest Menu

    This looks wonderful Christin! What a great midweek meal, especially in the slow cooker – no dishes – woohoo!

  9. I have seen this on a TV show and I’m so curious about it…the touch of chocolate sounds so good. Very smart to make it in a slow cooker. That makes it so do-able and great for family meal. Hope you’re enjoying February!

  10. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel

    I could totally go for a big plate of this for dinner tonight! The perfect hearty comfort food (and no clean up)!

  11. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven

    What a PERFECT way to get your cincinnati chili fix without all the work! This chili looks like the ultimate comfort food, Christin! Love it. 🙂

  12. Thao @ In Good Flavor

    I have not made chili all winter so I need to fix that. This recipe sounds wonderful and I love the slow cooker with a liner method! It makes life so much easier.

  13. I am obsessed with those slow cooker liners, they make cleanup a breeze! I’ve never had Cincinnati chili before, but I’ve heard of it and it sounds wonderful. This looks delicious!

  14. Mary // chattavore

    I love Cincinnati chili, Christin! And I love slow cooker liners…though I forget to use them ALL the time!

  15. That definitely looks and sounds like pure comfort food! I’ve never had chili over spaghetti before but feel like I need to try this!!

  16. Meghan | Fox and Briar

    SO MUCH FLAVOR! I am not familiar enough with chili to know the different regional types, but based on looking at the ingredients, I would love Cincinnati chili! And I bet those liners make cleanup a snap, so smart!

  17. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    I’ve never heard of Cincinnati chili, but it looks fantastic! Love all the toppings too – perfect comfort food!

  18. I’ve never had Cincinati chili and every time I see it I think I need to change that! I love that this is made in a slow cooker and those liners look perfect for easy clean-up!

  19. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry

    I can practically smell the spices coming off this chili and making my apartment feel like home.

  20. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    I’m in love with those slow cooker liners…they make cleanup such a breeze! And this chili looks delicious, Christin. Sounds like the perfect comfort food!

    1. This was a good recipe! I served it with black beans, onions and cheddar cheese. I might make it next time in my dutch oven so the meat breaks down more. Thanks!!!!

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