Sweet and Spicy Cincinnati-Style Chili Con Carne

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

A rich chili with a balance of sweet and spicy elements inspired by Cincinnati’s vibrant food culture, featuring tender beef and warm spices. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs ground beef, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup, rinsed and drained cooked kidney beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb ground beef, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Cook until beef is browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups beef broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until chili thickens.
5. Step 5: Add 1 cup cooked kidney beans and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed before serving.