Cooking Time & Servings

Cincinnati Style Sweet Chili Recipe

You Will Also Need

  • Cincinnati Style Sweet Chili Mix
  • 2 lbs Ground sirloin (or chuck or round)
  • 1 Can of tomato sauce (26-30 oz.)
  • ½ cup Barbeque sauce (sweet rather than smoky)
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

Here's What You Do

  1. In a 3 to 4-quart pot, crumble and brown ground meat in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, if desired.
  2. Stir in chili mix, tomato sauce, barbeque sauce, water, brown sugar and red wine vinegar.
  3. Bring chili to a boil and then reduce to simmer.
  4. Add contents of chocolate packet, cover and cook for 40 minutes.
  5. Remove bay leaf and serve.

Recipe Adaptations

Vegan

We like this chili so much it’s worth two adaptations. The first uses a plant-based beef substitute and the second goes with squash and chick peas for lots of barbeque flavor.

VEGAN VARIATION 1

You Will Also Need:

  • 1 lb. Plant-based beef substitute
  • 2 Tbsp. Oil
  • 1 Sweet potato, cubed (2 cups)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (29-oz.)
  • 1/4 Cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 Cup water

Here’s What You Do:

  1. In a 3 to 4-quart pot heat oil, crumble beef substitute, cook 5 minutes. Add sweet potato and contents of Chili Mix.
  2. Stir in tomatos and barbecue sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook 35 minutes.
  3. Add contents of chocolate packet add water. Cook on low heat, covered, for 10 minutes.
  4. Remove bay leaf and serve with cornbread.

VEGAN VARIATION 2

You Will Also Need:

  • 2 Tbsp. Oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 16-20 oz. butternut squash, cubed
  • 1 can garbanzo beans, drained (15-oz.)
  • 1 can tomato sauce (14-oz.)
  • 1/4 Cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 Cup water

Here’s What You Do:

  1. In a 3 to 4-quart pot heat oil and sauté onion 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in contents of Chili Mix.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce, barbecue sauce and water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook 35 minutes.
  4. Add contents of chocolate packet. Cook on low heat, covered, for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove bay leaf and serve with cornbread.

Slow Cooker

We do not recommend using a slow cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.

Pressure Cooker

We do not recommend using a pressure cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.

Recipe Variations

INVENTION VARIATION

Serve up this crowd-pleasing chili three ways: Cincinnati-style in a bowl with spaghetti and topped with grated cheese, or barbecue beef-style in a soft bun sandwich, or make a Mexican mole sauce by leaving out the meat above. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve as a sauce over chicken breasts with rice.

Cooking & Nutrition Tips

Remember these are soup-starter mixes, you can’t go wrong! Feel free to omit any of our recommended additions and/or add any of your favorites!

  • To boost vegetables, add 2 cups chopped, mixed red and green peppers and 1 cup chopped, fresh or frozen carrots when browning the meat.
  • To cut saturated fat, prepare with 1 lb. extra lean ground beef, bison, or turkey.
  • To reduce sodium: use a low-sodium broth, bone broth, or stock.
  • For added protein: add a can of your favorite bean (black, chickpea, navy, etc), chicken breast, or other plant-based protein option.
  • For added nutrition: look in your fridge/garden and add any vegetables you have on hand!