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!
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:
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.
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!
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.
- The price. I’m a cheap you know what, and refuse to pay that much for one can of chili.
- I don’t want the preservatives and whatever is in those packets.
- 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!
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.
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!
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.
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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.
Geoff says
I like cooking the hamburger in the tomatoes. It gives the meat the right consistency unlike browning it by itself and adding everything after. But I couldn’t give 5 stars because of 2 problems.
1. Cheese is optional? Not in any Skyline, Blue Ash, Camp Washington, etc. Chili, or even Gold Star (in a pinch) I’ve ever been to. And Skyline is Land O’ Lakes sharp cheddar (not American blend, the orange kind) and finely grated, like parmasean to make it nice and fluffy.
2. There is no chocolate it Skyline chili. Here is a quote from a Cincinnati Enquirer article.
“I can confirm there is no chocolate in Skyline Chili.” –
Sarah Sicking, Vice President of Marketing, Skyline
I believe there is cinnamon and allspice that gives it the sweetness. But it’s a Greek recipe using Mediterranean spices so, no chocolate despite the rumors (even here in Cincinnati.)
Pretty close though. We liked it
The Chunky Chef says
There is such a thing as a 2 way, which is just spaghetti and chili. And my weirdo kids prefer just chili and a hot dog, so not a cheese coney. Also, I never claim this is the exact recipe, just one that tastes pretty darn close, and my family enjoys 🙂
Tim says
Didn’t tell my wife what I was making. I made her take one bite with her eyes closed and she immediately yelled “it’s skyline!” Great recipe!!
Sandra Myers says
So looking forward to making this. My brother lived in the Louisville area and he introduced me (from Texas) to Skyline Chili and I just fell in love with it. I took some cans home with me, but alas they didn’t last for too long. I was delighted to find Skyline in Clearwater, Fl and brought back some cans from there also (but same problem–they don’t last long). Now, I’m so looking forward to this and far more cost-effective.
Joe Vasquez says
I am a native Arizonan that went to school in Ohio and got obsessed with this chili. So I am going to make it, I will let you know how it goes. We can get the cans at $4.50 per can and it is close but not the same to the same experience.
DALE ZALAORAS says
I like to add chopped fresh spearmint from my garden, making it a sort-of Greek style
Heidi says
How much would be a serving? Trying to figure out how to make 3 gallons of this by serving size for a large group. Can’t wait to show them what Cincy chili is.
The Chunky Chef says
I don’t measure serving sizes exactly, but I would estimate about 1 cup equals a serving. Since there are 16 cups per gallon, you’d need 48 cups for 3 gallons, so I would make this recipe x8 🙂
Allison says
Oh my stars! I’ve never had Cincinnati chili before, but I stumbled upon this recipe while looking for dinner ideas online. I made it for dinner tonight, and my hubby and I both loved it! It was easy to make, and soooooo delicious! Now we’re ready for a big ‘ol nap. Thank you for making our tastebuds, our bellies and our souls very happy!
dawn says
I’m originally from Ohio and yes they use unsweetened chocolate powder. It is what makes the sauce different from original spag sauces.
Oma says
Very tasty!!!! I’m from Cincinnati as well. Love my Skyline Chili
The Chunky Chef says
Happy you enjoyed it! And hello to a fellow Cincinnatian 🙂
Jody says
Can I use 60% bittersweet chocolate?
The Chunky Chef says
I’ve only tested this recipe as written, so I can’t say how it’ll turn out using a chocolate that’s not unsweetened.
Bobbi says
I discovered this recipe about 1 year or so ago and oh my goodness – I have enjoyed it many many times and shared the recipe with friends and family. I never had the “original” Cinncinati chili so I have no frame of reference to compare it with but it’s so easy and the aromas as it simmers on the stove – ooo la la!
Have enjoyed it with pasta (of course), spaghetti squash, sweet potatoe and even over perogies!
Thank you for a simple delicious recipe!
T says
Is 1/4 cup of chili powder correct?
The Chunky Chef says
Yes
Kirk says
There is no chocolate in skyline or goldstar empress or campwashington xhili.this is a joke.
The Chunky Chef says
Pretty sure that I never said there was… just that when I use it, it tastes pretty darn close, which is why I shared it that way. But thank you for your lovely comment.
Julie says
I love the dark chocolate.. it makes the chili! This is my go-to recipe thank you! Making now for Sunday dinner per my son’s request.
Lizbeth says
Loved your reply to Kirk! I first tasted Skyline chili in 1963 on my first trip to Cincy. We asked a Skyline chef for the recipe…they would not disclose it but told us that allspice was key, and that unsweet and semi-sweet chocolate were used by different people at that time. So I’ve been eating various versions for 58 years…yours is delicious! Thank you for sharing!
rich osterhout says
YES, THERE IS semi sweet chocolate in the original.for your information.
Kat says
Fabulous ! I lived in Indy and drove to skyline chilli. You definitely got this right!
David Hodge says
Excellent
Very close to the real thing.
Closest I have eaten.
I definitely will make it over and over again.
Thank you
Paul says
So good! Now my favorite chili.
Katie L. says
Well…I’m giving this a try. I was born and raised in the Cincinnati area, but have lived in SW Illinois for the last year. No skyline anything here (or Goetta 😫😭).
Joe K says
While I can’t vouch for authenticity (haven’t visited Cincinnati yet, and Skyline chili here is literally like $6 or $7 for a modest-sized can), I can say that this was AMAZING. Thank you so much, Amanda–both for making the effort to riddle this out, and for being so kind in sharing this. 🙂
Leah says
Just like Home! Thanks for the recipe😊 Now, if we could only make Graeter’s ice cream.
Tanya says
This recipe is PERFECT. Made it last night for my boyfriend, he’s from Mason, OH and his first job was at Skyline. It exceeded both of our expectations. He said it’s the best Skyline he’s ever had. It was even better on day 2! Didn’t have the Skyline hot sauce to put on it so we substitute with Tabasco which has the same vinegary taste. Thanks for the share!