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Home / Comfort Food

Copycat Skyline Cincinnati Chili

4.74
/5
1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes
629 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

4.74 from 313 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes 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.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
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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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Meet The Chunky Chef

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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4.74 from 313 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Betty says

    Posted on 12/14 at 6:45 pm

    Amazing recipe. Tastes just like Skyline!!

    Reply
  2. kristine schneider says

    Posted on 12/11 at 1:12 am

    Does this freeze very well?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/12 at 10:10 am

      Yes, it freezes well for sure!

      Reply
  3. Lauren B. says

    Posted on 11/27 at 7:56 pm

    This is a great recipe! It’s rare that I just follow a recipe without a lot of changes. This one I pretty much follow to a T. Good stuff!

    Reply
  4. Sarijopen says

    Posted on 11/10 at 5:22 am

    We tried the recipe yesterday and quite liked it! However, it was a bit too spicy in our opinion, and we only used 6 of the recommended 8 tbsps of chili powder on 2.5 lbs of ground beef. As we live in the Netherlands, we were not sure as to whether our chili powder might be different from the American one. DId you use 100% chili powder or is the American chili powder a blend of spices, like the recipe I found here: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/homemade-chili-powder/ ? Look forward to hearing from you! Thanks!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/10 at 10:40 am

      Hi Sarijopen 🙂 You’re correct… here in the US, our chili powder is a blend of spices, like in that recipe you linked, rather than just dried chiles. That would definitely make this very spicy!

      Reply
  5. Janice says

    Posted on 10/24 at 8:20 am

    Hello,

    I’m excited to try your recipe for this chili.
    Does the chili not have a grease layer left on top after cooking if the meat is not drained?
    Or will that make the chili not as savory/tasty?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/24 at 8:56 pm

      Hi Janice 🙂 There might be a little bit, but it will all depend on the fat percentage of the beef you use.

      Reply
  6. Jess says

    Posted on 10/18 at 2:38 pm

    I live within walking distance to Skyline and Gold Star but I’ll never walk there again! This was delicious and I feel so much better knowing what’s in it!

    Reply
  7. Cindy says

    Posted on 10/16 at 12:15 pm

    This is awesome as a coney or with spaghetti but I may also try wrapping some cheese (or shredded chicken and cheese) in tortillas and making enchiladas with this as the sauce!!! Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply
  8. Cindy Mel says

    Posted on 10/16 at 11:54 am

    First of all, stumbled upon your site looking for a copycat Skyline chili recipe. Just made it exactly as written and it’s everything bit of Skyline that I hoped it would be! I’m from Steubenville but I live in Texas now. This recipe made my day. I also read all the reviews and practically peed my pants enjoying some of your sarcasm. Thanks! I’ll be checking out some of your other recipes on the site as well!

    Reply
  9. Kelly Kinder says

    Posted on 10/15 at 4:47 pm

    Just making this chili and hoping for the best…is 1/4 CUP of chili powder correct? Seems like a lot, but I didn’t see anyone else mention it in the comments. Just checking 🙂 Thank you!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/17 at 8:55 pm

      Yes, it’s the correct amount… however that is American chili powder, which is a blend of spices, not pure dried chiles. We never find that this has more than a mild zesty flavor, but everyone has their own preferences 🙂

      Reply
  10. Barb says

    Posted on 9/27 at 12:27 pm

    We love this recipe! I line up all the spices and cook the water and tomato paste and chocolate, add all the spices and ground beef, couldn’t be easier and it tastes amazing!!

    Reply
  11. Hayden in Cincinnati says

    Posted on 9/23 at 6:48 am

    Hey, as delicious as the chili looks in the photos, the coneys need a bigger mound of cheese. Skyline piles the cheese on high, for sure.
    The recipe photos look really delicious, though.
    I live 1 block from a Skyline.

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    Posted on 9/20 at 8:08 pm

    I made this tonight. Very good! Husband gave two thumbs up. It’s a keeper. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Ranee says

    Posted on 9/1 at 9:26 pm

    The next best thing ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  14. Ranee Tackett says

    Posted on 8/28 at 10:12 am

    Can I use unsweetened cocoa powder??

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/28 at 10:08 pm

      I’ve only tested this recipe as written. So without testing and retesting it myself, I can’t say for certain if that would work. If you do some experimenting, I’d love to know how it turns out!

      Reply
      • Tracie says

        Posted on 9/18 at 6:02 pm

        I’ve been using your recipe for years and always substitute with cocoa powder! It works and tastes great! Whole family loves it

        Reply
        • Ryan says

          Posted on 9/26 at 2:03 pm

          Hi Tracie! How much cocoa powder do you use?

          Reply
          • Tracie says

            Posted on 10/6 at 12:17 am

            One and a half tablespoons of cocoa powder

  15. Pat says

    Posted on 8/25 at 10:07 am

    So good! I made a few minor changes-ground turkey and sautéed an onion and garlic before adding water, paste, etc. This recipe is a definite keeper! Thanks so much.

    Reply
  16. Megan says

    Posted on 8/21 at 6:53 pm

    Excellent recipe. As soon as I added the spices, I could tell this was the real deal. But I was patient and waited for the chili to fully cook, which gave it a perfect texture.

    This recipe is just like Skyline’s, except maybe a little better. I kept telling my boyfriend I was going to make Skyline Chili, and he insisted he couldn’t remember the restaurant, but after one bite, he exclaimed, “oh yeah!!! We had this in Ohio.”

    Reply
  17. Amber G. says

    Posted on 8/18 at 7:34 pm

    Your recipe is so good thanks although I didnt have ground cloves but it still turned out amazing your recipe is the only 1 I use!! Thank you fir sharing 😊.

    Reply
  18. Dawn Atherton says

    Posted on 8/5 at 11:42 pm

    Had to move away from my Chili home and hardcore craving a Way. Your recipe legit takes me to Coney.

    Reply
  19. Dave Tackett says

    Posted on 7/25 at 4:50 pm

    I’ve made this several times and love it. The only thing I change is cooking the ground beef separately and draining the fat. Never had the authentic, but this is great.

    Reply
  20. Allen says

    Posted on 7/21 at 12:21 pm

    I made this last night and it was amazing! I added a little more salt to taste and let it simmer for a few hours over a very low simmer. Sooooo good!

    Reply
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