Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Not sure if this is an authentic Cincinnati Chili recipe, but it’s delish!  My late husband loved it because it has no beans, but feel free to add some if you like.  As of 2025, this chili recipe is ZERO Weight Watchers points.

I am updating this post with a printable recipe card, and updated photography on how we used this chili to make chili dogs.  I decided to leave the rest of the blog post from 2013 as is.  Enjoy!

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Kyle joined me not only for breakfast but for dinner last night.  I just wanted to get rid of the taste like ass granola so I didn’t have to see it again.  I have a new batch in the oven right now, so fingers crossed that one turns out.  No more fruit purees in granola!

But I kinda just broke up the pieces kind of big – this one was so big, Kyle had to set it on the table and eat it from the top!

I found this melon at Sam’s Club – all I know is I picked it up because it was only $3!

When I cut into it, it looked more like a honeydew melon, but firmer.  I mixed it with 1/2 a cup of blueberries and had more of my Green Monster casserole on the side.

I don’t know about you, but I always save my fruit until the end for dessert.  So once I finished my eggs, I took a bite of the lemondrop melon and holy cow was it sour.  But like in a sour apple taste and once I got over the initial shock, I loved it.  It was like eating sour candy, but in fruit form.   I have no idea if its supposed to taste like that, if it was under ripe or overripe.  All I know is I ate every last piece.

It was chilly again – 68 degrees, so Pinterest helped me figure out my workout.  I started out running for 10 minutes (well, more like jogging!) to warm up.

Then I found this 1000 rep workout – holy shizz this was a workout!  There were so many exercises you can’t even see them all!   20 workouts of 50 reps each.  Um, no way I was using 65 pound, 55 pound or even 25 pound weights.  I stuck with 10 pounds for the exercises that called for weights.

I was able to do 50 sets of all reps at once except for the pushups – I rested 5 seconds between each set of 10 – I was doing them on my toes people!   And that wall sit was no joke.  I thought  – 50 seconds – no problem!  Um, no – after 25 seconds my legs were shaking – so I did a 10 second rest before finishing up that one.  All in all, those 1000 reps took:

I ended up doing a 2 1/2 minute cool down on the treadmill to make it an even 45 minute workout.

While I was working out, my sister texted me some of her lunch – she went to eat with our Momma (hi Mom!) – she wrote “potstickers!”  and I sent her a picture of me at the gym that said “getting fit!”

Karli, I am loving those shirts you sent me – they “hold” everything in when I work out.

Before work yesterday I made a simple stir fry – 1 cup bean sprouts, 1 cup carrots, 1 cup broccoli, 1 small zucchini, 8 shrimp (leftover that were in the freezer) and I used 1.5 tablespoons sesame teriyaki sauce and a generous pour of sriracha.  When it was time to heat it up for lunch though, somehow I had all this liquid – I didn’t add any broth at all!  So after I ate the bigger pieces of veggies, it ended up being like a spicy tom yum soup – delish!

Later in the afternoon I was really hungry for some reason, so I had one of the Nature Valley protein bars – these are like candy bars to me – but have 7 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein.

I know it’s only August, but once the temps start to drop, my mind already goes to comfort fall food – beef stew, chicken pot pie and Cincinnati chili.  Tony loves it because there are no beans.  I love it because it has a vinegary kick to it.  

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Cincinnati Chili

Yield: 10 (1/2 cup servings) or 5 (1 cup servings)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Not sure if this is "authentic" Cincinnati chili (don't like cinnamon in mine!) but this chili is no beans, which my late husband loved. Feel free to add beans. As of the date of this publication, the chili is ZERO Weight Watchers points.

Print

Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2-4 tablespoons chili powder (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1.5 pounds ground sirloin

Instructions

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder to the dry pan. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is fragrant and forms a thick paste. This blooms the spices and deepens the flavor.

Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and ground sirloin to the pan. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into small pieces.

Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and the flavors meld.

Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve over spaghetti with your favorite toppings: shredded cheese, diced onions, or oyster crackers. It makes a great topping for chili dogs too!

Notes

As of the date of this publication, each half cup or one cup serving is ZERO Weight Watchers points. If you count calories or macros, each 1/2 cup serving is: 130 calories, 5 fat, 5 carbs, 2 fiber and 15 grams of protein. Click here for the WW link.

Did you make this recipe?

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I had my chili mac 3 ways:  with 1/2 cup Dreamfileld’s pasta, 1/4 cup of chili beans and cheddar cheese.  Tony loves his with just oyster crackers and shredded Parmesan cheese.

Here’s a tip from me to you though.   Don’t have chili mac prior to doing an Insanity workout.  I hot boxed myself with continual farts throughout the whole workout.  At the time they were silent but deadly!  In the kitchen later on though, I let one go and it was so loud Tony could hear it from the living room!  I am klassy like that.   I think Tony doesn’t think girls should fart!

I did the 40 minute Plyo Cardio Circuit.  I did it 110% and was sweaty in the end:

Stats for the Day:

• 1573 calories, 57 fat, 151 carbs, 25 fiber and 93 protein
• 38% calories from carbs, 33% from fat and 29% from protein
• 45 minute run/1000 reps at lunch
• 40 minute Insanity plyo

I’ve decided that even though it’s only 56 degrees right now, no matter what the temperature is today, I am swimming outside – only a couple weeks before the outdoor pool closes for the season!

Don’t forget to send me any “ask Tony anything” questions by the end of today – I’ll post his answers tomorrow.

Make it a great day!