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Cincinnati Chili Crock Pot Recipe (5-Way Style!)

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Updated: to include new step-by-step photos, clarified instructions, and/or improved tips for best results.· by · Leave a Comment This post contains affiliate links.

If you've ever visited Ohio or heard someone rave about "Skyline Chili," you know that Cincinnati chili is not your average bowl of beef and beans. This version is slow-cooked to perfection in a Crock Pot and served over spaghetti with cheese, onions, beans, and crackers if you're going full 5-way!

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A plate of spaghetti topped with Cincinnati chili crockpot style, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and accompanied by oyster crackers, with a fork and napkin on the side.

This recipe is straight from the church cookbook submitted by Vonda Moon. They are originally from Cincinnati are so this is as close to authentic as I can share with you. Looking for a milder beanless chili? Check out the one my son loves. Have a second slow cooker looking to be used? Toss in ingredients for my Cheesy Potato Soup or Crock Pot Cowboy Soup and your family will be coming back for seconds.

This is our annual New Year's Day meal!

- Vonda Moon

Ingredient needed:

This slow-cooked Cincinnati chili is full of warm spices and perfect for serving over spaghetti with all your favorite chili toppings.

Various chili ingredients arranged on a rustic wooden table, including ground beef, an onion, spices, bay leaves, water, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce-perfect for making Cincinnati chili in your crockpot.

Recipe Card?

To find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions CLICK HERE to go to the recipe card.

Substitutions

Don't worry if you're missing something-these swaps still get you that iconic chili flavor.

  • Ground turkey can replace beef for a leaner version.
  • Tomato sauce (1½ cups) can be subbed for diced tomatoes if you want a smoother sauce.
  • Apple cider vinegar can stand in for white vinegar.
  • No allspice? Try a mix of nutmeg + cloves (¼ teaspoon each).
  • Gluten-free? Use GF pasta and skip the crackers.

How to make Cincinnati Chili in the slow cooker

Unlike traditional chunky chili, this Midwestern classic is thinner, spiced with warm flavors like cinnamon and allspice, and served over spaghetti. Yes, spaghetti! And thanks to your Crock Pot, it's also incredibly easy to make at home.

A slow cooker filled with ground meat, diced tomatoes, and chopped onions sits on a wooden surface, ingredients uncooked and unmixed.

Build the Base

Place the ground beef, chopped onions, diced tomatoes and water in your slow cooker insert. No need to brown the meat first! This method keeps the texture tender and classic.

A slow cooker filled with ground meat, diced onions, canned tomatoes, bay leaves, and various spices on a wooden surface.

Add the Flavor

Stir in the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and all the spices, including the bay leaves. Mix well to break up any clumps of beef.

A slow cooker filled with a mixture of ground meat, chopped onions, tomatoes, and sauce, with a gray spoon resting inside.

Slow Cook It

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, until the beef is cooked through and flavors have melded beautifully.

A slow cooker filled with brown, chunky broth sits on a wooden surface, with a black ladle resting inside and a bowl of orange liquid nearby.

Finish It Off

Skim off any excess fat from the top. If desired, remove some of the liquid for a thicker sauce.

A plate of spaghetti topped with Cincinnati chili crockpot style, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and accompanied by oyster crackers, with a fork and napkin on the side.

Serve with Toppings

Spoon hot chili over a bed of cooked spaghetti and layer on the toppings:

  • 2-Way: Spaghetti + chili
  • 3-Way: Add shredded cheddar
  • 4-Way: Add chopped onions or beans
  • 5-Way: Add both onions and beans

Did you make this recipe?

Do you have feedback that would be helpful to others? If so can help this small business owner by leaving a rating and a review in the comments section? Thank you for being part of the Savoring The Good Community. ~ Sarah

Flavor Bonus!

Serve with oyster crackers for crunch! It may sound a bit odd but I LOVE my chili with seasoned Oyster Crackers!

Make-Ahead Tips

Planning for a party or busy weeknight? This chili gets better with time!

You can make the chili 1-2 days in advance. Let it cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove or in a slow cooker on warm. Wait to cook the spaghetti and prep toppings until ready to serve.

A cast iron skillet filled with cooked chili, resting on a countertop with a striped kitchen towel nearby.

Need a Side?

Sides For Chili

Sides for Chili

Storage Tips

This recipe stores and freezes beautifully-hello, easy meal prep!

  • Fridge: Store chili and toppings separately for best texture. Keep in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze just the chili (no pasta or cheese) in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
A hand uses a teal ladle to serve macaroni and cheese from a pot. Overlaid text highlights features: extensive food safety testing, dishwasher safe, and compatible with Souper Cubes for convenient 1 Cup food storage.

Souper Cubes

1 cup portions!

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Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:

The chili is too watery.

Tip: remove some liquid after cooking.

My beef clumped together.

Break it up well when mixing in raw ground beef with the water.

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili with Spaghetti and Classic Toppings
Sarah Mock, savoring a glass of red wine, smiles warmly indoors near a staircase. With her long brown hair and light blouse, she exudes relaxed elegance in this candid headshot.Sarah Mock
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Cincinnati chili made easy in the Crock Pot! Serve this spiced beef chili over spaghetti with cheese, onions, and beans for a true 5-way experience.
Print Recipe
A plate of spaghetti topped with Cincinnati chili, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and a side of oyster crackers sits on a wooden table near a crockpot.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 5 minutes
servings6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 2 medium Onion Chopped
  • 4 Cups Water
  • 1 16 Ounce Can Diced Tomatoes
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vinegar
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 each Bay Leaves

Serving

  • 1 box Spaghetti Cooked, kept hot
  • 1 ½ Cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 box Oyster Crackers
  • 1 Cup Onion chopped
  • 1 can kidney beans

Instructions 

  1. Combine ground beef, onions and water in the slow cooker insert.
    2 pounds Ground Beef, 2 medium Onion, 4 Cups Water
    A slow cooker filled with ground meat, diced tomatoes, and chopped onions sits on a wooden surface, ingredients uncooked and unmixed.
  2. Add the tomatoes, with liquid, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and all the spices.
    1 16 Ounce Can Diced Tomatoes, 1 ½ teaspoons vinegar, 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 Tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice, 1 ½ teaspoons Salt, 1 Teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 each Bay Leaves
    A slow cooker filled with ground meat, diced onions, canned tomatoes, bay leaves, and various spices on a wooden surface.
  3. Stir to combine.
    A slow cooker filled with a mixture of ground meat, chopped onions, tomatoes, and sauce, with a gray spoon resting inside.
  4. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8.
    crockpot sitting on a wooden cutting board
  5. Skim off the fat and remove excess fat (optional)
    A slow cooker filled with brown, chunky broth sits on a wooden surface, with a black ladle resting inside and a bowl of orange liquid nearby.
  6. Serve with your favorite accompaniments.
    1 box Spaghetti, 1 ½ Cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 box Oyster Crackers, 1 Cup Onion, 1 can kidney beans
    A plate of spaghetti topped with chili, shredded cheese, and diced onions, served with oyster crackers on the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 868kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 921mg | Potassium: 919mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 852IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 6mg
CourseCrock-Pot Recipes
CuisineAmerican
Keywordcincinnati chili
Sarah Mock of savoringthegood.com headshot 2022

I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and a graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 17 years, Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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