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Home / Comfort Food

Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili

4.73
/5
1 hour 35 minutes
489 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 10/11/2017

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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!

Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili | Unique and flavorful, this regional chili is rich, meaty, packed with spices, and can be served in so many ways!  Try Cincinnati's spin on chili! | https://www.thechunkychef.com | #dinner #cincinnati #chili #copycat #homemade #easyrecipe
I love hometown things, and growing up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, that means Cincinnati-style chili!

It’s definitely NOT like any chili you’ve had before.  To most people, chili is something like this.  For us Cincinnati-ans… this is our chili:

Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili recipe three way

A meat sauce full of unique seasonings that is served on top of spaghetti and topped with cheese (which we call a 3 way), 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.

Copycat Skyline Chili Cheese Coney

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

I know… the term chili is confusing, because this dish is completely different… but wonderful (as most Cincinnati-ans are as well!).

I urge you to try it, at least once.  Most people who try it, love it!

Classic Skyline chili recipe three way with oyster crackers

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!

chili

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!!

Big pot of Cincinnati chili simmering

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!!)

Breakdown collage of Cincinnati chili 4 way

Traditionally, people top their “ways” with oyster crackers and hot sauce.  They’re great additions, I use them both!

This chili is also fantastic over crispy french fries or even a baked potato!!  You can also use it in an amazing Skyline Chili Dip for your next party.

Twirl of Cincinnati Skyline chili on fork

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 

Cincinnati chili cheese coney on plate

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 | Unique and flavorful, this regional chili is rich, meaty, packed with spices, and can be served in so many ways!  Try Cincinnati's spin on chili! | https://www.thechunkychef.com | #dinner #cincinnati #chili #copycat #homemade #easyrecipe

Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili

4.73 from 249 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
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
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 water to 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.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

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

Video

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili | Unique and flavorful, this regional chili is rich, meaty, packed with spices, and can be served in so many ways!  Try Cincinnati's spin on chili! | https://www.thechunkychef.com | #dinner #cincinnati #chili #copycat #homemade #easyrecipe

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Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Billy says

    Posted on 1/22 at 8:41 pm

    My dad was from Louisville, so I’ve been eating this type of chili my whole life and love it. Only difference is we all love it with kidney beans so we cook them right in. But when I was a kid, nearly 60 years ago I put some fritos corn chips on my 4 way and the whole family has been eating it that way ever since. I am a Texan, and frito pies are a big thing in Texas. So I call this Cincinnati frito pie. Try it y’all. You’ll love it.

    Reply
  2. S. Camp says

    Posted on 1/22 at 1:23 pm

    I just made this today and doubled the recipe. If you plan on doing this, don’t double the apple cider vinegar; it’s way too strong. If you do, make sure to double and a half (not quite triple) all of the other ingredients.

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    Posted on 1/12 at 10:48 am

    Recipe sounds delicious! Had this Chile in Ft. Lauderdale at Skyline Chile and this recipe is spot on!
    If I don’t have block chocolate how much unsweetened cocoa powder should I use and will the taste be the same?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 1/12 at 11:38 am

      I haven’t tested this recipe with unsweetened cocoa powder, so I can’t say for certain, but I would guess to start with 1 – 1.5 Tbsp and see how it tastes 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jameson Lee-Yaw says

    Posted on 12/27 at 2:06 pm

    Hello and Season Greetings. Lucked into your site and have made the KFC copy cat coleslaw recipe for a family (clan really) post pandemic get together. Fabulous. I am a 75 yr old Canadian Grandpa and will be making this chili with my Grdson. Just love the way you present your recipes. You are delightful and the recipes one your site are enticing, and so kid friendly. Thank You.

    Reply
  5. Suzanne says

    Posted on 12/23 at 6:07 pm

    Wow! Easy, jammed packed with flavor and easy recipe to follow. I served it as suggested over pasta (gluten free) along with the cheese and raw onion. I will for sure make this again and probably very soon. Thanks for another great recipe!

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    Posted on 12/18 at 6:49 pm

    This is now one of my family’s most requested dishes. Amazing recipe!

    Reply
  7. WIll says

    Posted on 12/15 at 9:04 am

    Chili is badass! Thanks!

    Reply
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Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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