Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili

Homemade copycat Skyline Cincinnati chili… unique and flavorful, this regional delicacy is easy to make at home for way less than the restaurant charges!

Have you ever had Cincinnati chili?  It’s totally unique, and NOT like a traditional chili, but it’s an absolutely delicacy here in the Midwest.  It’s also really easy to make at home, freezes wonderfully, and can be served in so many ways!

It’s no secret that I adore hometown things… no matter where I live in this life, I will always be a Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and University of Cincinnati fan.  I will always prefer the auto-mechanic in the small town I grew up in, Graeter’s Ice Cream is the BEST, Montgomery Inn has the BEST ribs, Larosas Pizza is divine, and Skyline Chili is the one chili that will truly always have a place in my heart.

In case you couldn’t tell… I grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati!  For those of you who haven’t been here, or don’t have a clue what I mean when I say Cincinnati chili… let me tell you, it is NOTHING like any chili you’ve had before.  To most people, chili is something like this.  For us Cincinnatians… this is our chili:

A meat sauce full of unique seasonings that is served on top of spaghetti and topped with cheese (which we call a 3 way… no, not THAT 3 way, you dirty one you!), and sometimes onions and/or beans will be added with the cheese (4 or 5 way).  Another classic way we enjoy this chili is on top of a hot dog, with some mustard and onions and a mound of cheese.

That delicious looking dog is called a coney.  And they are heavenly… seriously.

Some of you are probably looking at your screen thinking, “woman, you are crazy.  Chili doesn’t go on noodles or a hot dog!”

I know, I know… the term chili is confusing, because this dish is completely different… but wonderful (as most Cincinnatians are as well!).  I urge you to try it, at least once.  Most people who try it, love it 🙂  If you don’t like it, then call me a crazy woman and go back to your usual chili.

Around here, you can buy Skyline (and Gold Star) chili in cans, packets, and frozen trays.  Which is convenient, but p-r-i-c-e-y!  So I wanted to find a recipe that starts from scratch… for a few reasons.

1. The price.  I’m a cheap you know what, and refuse to pay that much for one can of chili.
2. I don’t want the preservatives and whatever is in those packets.
3. The most important reason… unless you live here, you probably won’t be able to find those cans, trays or packets in your grocery store.  Bummer huh?  Everyone should be able to enjoy this fabulous chili, no matter where you live!

It’s really simple to make too, just add water, tomato paste and chocolate to a large pot and cook over medium heat for a few minutes.  That’s right, you read that correctly… chocolate.  Not the milk chocolate we all love to snack on mind you, but unsweetened 100% cacao bakers chocolate.  My turkey chili uses this chocolate as well!

Add your spices, vinegar, and your beef.  Crumble it using your fingers, then use a potato masher, whisk, or mash the beef against the side of the pan.  Basically you want the meat all broken up into fine pieces.  I mainly used the fork and went to town with my whisk.  Get mad at it, break up that meat! 🙂

Now just bring it to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and let it cook, uncovered for 1 – 1 1/2 hours (you want a low boil).  It will thicken up and become a wonderful meat sauce.  And the smell that fills your house…. incredible!!

It’s up to you how you would like to serve up your chili… do you want coneys?  A “way”?  Or just chili in a bowl with cheese and oyster crackers?  It’s your house, your rules!  I typically go for “ways” and coneys.  Remember, here’s the breakdown.

CINCINNATI CHILI “WAYS”:

• 2-way = spaghetti and chili
• 3-way = spaghetti, chili, cheese
• 4-way = spaghetti, chili, onions OR beans, cheese (my fav is with onions!)
• 5-way = spaghetti, chili, onion AND beans, cheese

CINCINNATI CHILI CONEYS:

• Bun, hot dog, chili
• Bun, hot dog, chili, cheese
• Bun, hot dog, chili, mustard OR onion, cheese
• Bun, hot dog, chili, mustard AND onion, cheese (my fav!!)

Traditionally, people top their “ways” with oyster crackers and hot sauce.  They’re great additions, I use them both 🙂  For your coneys, the traditional way is a hot dog with mustard, diced onion, chili and cheese… but you can omit either or both of the mustard and onions if you prefer.  Psssst… this chili is also fantastic over crispy french fries or even a baked potato!!  I’ve also got a great party dip recipe coming up that uses this chili… people go crazy over it!!

This chili season, I hope you give this non-traditional Cincinnati chili a try!  Let me share this piece of my hometown with you all… I think you’ll LOVE it 🙂

Here are some other versions of chili to try too!

• Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili
• Slow Cooker Creamy White Chicken Chili
• Beef and Poblano Chili
• Healthier Turkey Chili 

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili

4.65 from 170 votes

Author: The Chunky Chef

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Calories: 171

Servings: 6 -8 servings

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Homemade copycat Skyline Cincinnati chili... unique and flavorful, this regional delicacy is easy to make at home for way less than the restaurant charges!

Ingredients

• ▢ 5 cups water
• ▢ 6 oz can of Tomato paste
• ▢ 1/2 oz baking chocolate (unsweetened - I use Baker's brand)
• ▢ 1/4 cup chili powder
• ▢ 1 tsp cinnamon
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tsp cumin
• ▢ 1/4 tsp allspice
• ▢ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• ▢ 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or less, depending on your desired heat level
• ▢ 1/8 tsp black pepper
• ▢ 3/4 tsp salt
• ▢ 1/2 tsp sugar
• ▢ 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 1/4 lb lean ground beef

Instructions

• Add the 5 cups of water in a large pot.  I like to use my dutch oven for this.
• Add the tomato paste and chocolate and heat over medium heat stirring to combine for about 3 minutes. (I stir with a whisk to really break up the tomato paste)
• Add chili powder, cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin, allspice, cloves, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, sugar and vinegar.
• Next, crumble the raw ground beef into the pot with your fingers, then use a potato masher, whisk or fork to break up the meat into very fine pieces.
• Turn heat to high to bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, turn the heat down to med-low.
• Cook, uncovered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, at a low boil.. stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened quite a bit.
• Serve over thin spaghetti or a hot dog.

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Chef Tips

Optional toppings include shredded cheddar cheese, diced white or yellow onion, kidney beans, oyster crackers and hot sauce.

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