The Pantry Staple That Completely Transformed My Chili

There’s nothing more delicious or comforting than a bowl of homemade chili that has been slowly simmering on the stove all day. After years of trying different chili recipes and playing around with different spices and vegetables, I finally mastered the perfect chili; and it’s all because of this one pantry staple—cinnamon. 

I know, it might seem odd to add an element of sweetness to a dish that’s notoriously savory and spicy, but just a small dash of cinnamon adds warmth and a depth of flavor when mixed with other chili ingredients like chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and paprika. Cinnamon also enhances the flavor profile of chili because it balances the acidity from the tomatoes, and brings out the savory notes of the typical chili spice blend. 

While I’m certainly not the first person to add cinnamon to chili, I will admit that it was a happy accident that occurred one evening as I was making a big batch for my family. I added what I thought was a few extra dashes of cumin to my pot, only to later realize it was ground cinnamon instead. Not only did I not have to throw out the chili, but I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and richness it added as it slowly cooked with the other spices and flavors. 

I’ve since learned that authentic Cincinnati-style chili calls for quite a bit of cinnamon and cocoa, which adds more sweetness than I like, personally. So, my advice would be to add just a teaspoon of cinnamon and give the chili a taste before adding more. I usually add cinnamon to my chili along with the other spices, and adjust, as needed, once it’s been cooking for an hour or so. 

If you thought your classic chili recipe was good before, you’re about to be amazed by what a little cinnamon can do. What’s more? A dash of cinnamon works well in pretty much any chili recipe, including vegetarian and vegan chili, turkey chili, and even white chili.

Other Spices You Can Add to Chili

Chili typically contains a myriad of spices. If you’re a fan of cinnamon in your chili, here are a few other surprising spices (and similar ingredients) you might also enjoy. As a reminder, start with a dash (and toss it in when you’re adding the other spices) and then adjust as needed.

• Ground cloves
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground allspice
• Ground coriander
• Ground turmeric
• Ground mace 
• Coffee grounds
• Cocoa powder

7 Chili Recipes to Try

Ready to add cinnamon (or any other spices) to your next pot of chili? Start experimenting with one of these delicious chili recipes: