If you are looking for an easy, authentic copycat Skyline Cincinnati chili, this recipe has perfect medley of unexpected spices, no beans, and served just like the famous Ohio restaurant chain – over spaghetti with sky-high piles of cheddar cheese. It can be made effortlessly in a slow cooker or Instant Pot for a family-friendly, cozy weeknight meal.
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Copycat Skyline Chili Recipe (Seriously Good!)
If you aren’t familiar with Cincinnati chili, or the Midwest restaurant chain, Skyline, this recipe has thrown some people off. It has a unique Mediterranean-inspired spice blend, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, cumin, ground cloves, and chili powder, which gives it an unique taste, similar to moussaka or pastitsio.
That all sounds fine and dandy, but when you serve it over spaghetti or hot dogs with an alarming amount of shredded cheddar cheese, guests may get skeptical. But just like our award-winning version of Buffalo chicken chili, it’s always love at first bite.
I have made this recipe so many times over the years, I’ve even developed three ways to make it based on how much time I have. Short on time doesn’t mean short on flavor, though. Making it in the Instant Pot is my preferred method because it infuses flavor fast!
When I need an easy dump and cook slow cooker weeknight dinner idea, it’s as easy as opening some cans, stirring, and forgetting it till dinner time. I also like this method for authentic Skyline chili texture, soft and fragrant.
Making it over the stove top allows control over spice adjustments and consistency. It can be simmered for a longer period of time or 1 hour. While it’s cooking you can grate the mounds of cheese, boil the spaghetti, and get any other additional toppings ready.
We grew up eating skyline chili! So we know Cincinnati chili! Made this recipe for my husband for valentines. We loved it! Has it over spaghetti noodles with lots of cheese… we loved it. Tonight we did chili cheese dogs with onions on top!!! So good!!! Thanks for the recipe!
—Nina
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Let’s Make This Together!
This recipe requires a lot of ingredients, but they are all simple and affordable. First, I recommend lean ground beef because it cooks for a longer time, which will tenderize it without having to deal with excess fat.
To achieve a classic Skyline chili taste, I recommend not browning the meat first before adding it to the slow cooker or pressure cooker. This gives the beef a softer texture, unlike a toothier meat sauce or traditional chili recipe.
Then it’s just as simple as dumping all the ingredients in and cooking. If making the recipe in the Instant Pot, omit the tomato paste until the very end so it doesn’t settle to the bottom and trigger a burn warning.
More Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to use lean ground beef, especially in the slow cooker. For the instant pot and stove top, it’s easier to drain off the excess grease.
- Browning the meat first is a matter of preference. To achieve a more authentic texture, skip browning first and simply add all the ingredients.
- The consistency of Cincinnati chili is typically thinner than a traditional chili, more like a meat sauce.
- If you need to thicken the chili use more tomato paste or simmer without a lid to cook it down.
- This makes the perfect freezer meal. Cool completely then freeze serving size amounts in freezer ziplock bags.
Serve It Like A Pro!
Although this recipe is described as a “chili,” it’s actually more of a meat sauce. Typically it’s served over a mound of pasta, but it can also top baked potatoes, transformed into chili hot dogs, cooked into quesadillas, or spooned over crispy french fries.
When ordering at a restaurant, the toppings are specified by a “ways” system. Additionally hot sauce and oyster crackers are served alongside it.
Two-way: spaghetti topped with chili
Three-way: spaghetti, chili, cheese
Four-way onion: spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions
Four-way bean: spaghetti, chili, cheese, kidney beans
Five-way: spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, kidney beans
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Better Than Skyline Cincinnati Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (907.18 g) LEAN ground beef
- 1 (1) large onion, diced
- 3 cloves (3 cloves) garlic, chopped
- 2 cups (480 g) beef broth, read label for gluten-free
- 8 ounce (226.8 g) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) chili powder
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) unsweetened cocoa
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) pepper
- 6 ounce (170.1 g) can tomato paste
- For Serving cooked spaghetti, hot dogs, or baked potatoes
- Optional Toppings lots of shredded cheddar cheese (not optional), chopped onion, and kidney beans
Equipment
Instructions
Slow Cooker Method
- In a slow cooker mix together everything except ground beef. Add ground beef to slow cooker, breaking up meat with spoon.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours. Serve on cooked spaghetti or hot dogs with desired toppings.
Instant Pot Method
- Using sauté function, cook ground beef and onion together for about 8 minutes, or until beef is browned. Alternatively, do not brown beef first for a more authentic, softer texture. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds more. Hit CANCEL.
- Add the remaining ingredients EXCEPT TOMATO PASTE. Stir to combine and secure on lid with valve sealed.
- Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 20 minutes then use quick release. After valve goes down, take off lid and stir in tomato paste. Simmer on SAUTE for 5-10 minutes, or until desired thickness. Serve on cooked spaghetti or hot dogs with desired toppings.
Stove Top
- In a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat, sauté ground beef and onion together until beef is browned, about 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, do not brown beef first for a more authentic, softer texture. Add garlic to pot and sauté 30 seconds more.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to boil, then simmer UNCOVERED for 1 hour or until chili has reduced and thickened. Serve on cooked spaghetti or hot dogs with desired toppings.
Notes
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When I was in the Army a friend and fellow medic was from Cincinnati. While chatting one day, he told me about Skyline Cincinnati Chili. I had never heard of it, putting cocoa, cinnamon, and cumin in chili? I was intrigued and one day he and his wife invited me to his apartment for a Cincinnati Chili dinner over spaghetti. It was fantastic. Your recipe brought back fond memories of my Army days with friends. I had completely forgot he called it Skyline Chili and when I read this, it clicked and I said YES, I’m making this!
I’m also a nube with an instapot so I cannot wait to try out the pressure cooker method.
Thank you so much for this quick and easy instapot method and for tweaking some old near forgotten fond memories.
What an incredible memory, Rick! I really appreciate you sharing this with me. Thank you!
Best,
Melissa
Very good recipe keeping it true to real Cincy chili. Only recommendation I have is to use an immersion blender to break up the meat.
Love this idea, Karl! I will give it a whirl next time!
Best,
Melissa
Here in south Louisiana, we never heard of this type of chili until a couple opened a business and exclusively sold this chili with hot dogs and/or spaghetti. It was THE best! Before they closed up shop for personal reasons I bought like 5 pounds of it to freeze. We lost it in the hurricane a few years back. We always get the craving for skyline chili.
After trying several recipes, this is the one!!
It is my son’s FAVORITE meal. It’s once a month or every 6ish weeks!
Thanks so much for this.
Love this! Thanks for sharing your story!
Best,
Melissa
The feel of autumn was in the air yesterday, pushing me to try this recipe. My old stove top recipe for Cincinnati chili was my favorite (until now), but was so laborious that I hesitated making it. THIS recipe is easy, versatile, and QUICK! Thank you so very much. <3
The only change I will make next time is slightly less tomato sauce, as I like the flavor of the cocoa to come through a little stronger…based only on personal preference.
Thank you so much for writing! This is such a compliment, made my day!
Best,
Melissa
I used your Insta pot method with great results. First, before turning on instapot, dump in liquids; broth or water, tomato paste, and sauce in pan and stir to breakdown paste. Add raw hamburger to pot by pinching handful off from the ground beef tray to make small pieces. Add all other ingredients to pot and cook per your 20 min. pressure. Tastes excellent! Will serve in 2 days so flavors blend. Thank you for the nice recipe and the choice of methods!
broth,
You’re so welcome! And I completely agree, it is definitely better after sitting for a day or two.
Best,
Melissa
Yum!! So nice to have homage version 🙂
I will omit the brown sugar next time or just add a smidge, prefer the chili not to be sweet. But it is still excellent! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Excited for a hot dog and 3 way spaghetti tonight! Woo hoo!
Thanks for taking the time to let me know, Jen! I really appreciate it!
Best,
Melissa
We grew up eating skyline chili! So we know Cincinnati chili! Made this recipe for my husband for valentines. We loved it! Has it over spaghetti noodles with lots of cheese… we loved it. Tonight we did chili cheese dogs with onions on top!!! So good!!! Thanks for the recipe!
Oh my goodness, Nina, ultimate happiness! I’m so glad it earned your stamp of approval! We have a lot of family in Ohio, so we always make a stop at Skyline. Thanks for taking the time to write!
Best,
Melissa
I grew up on Skyline but no longer way red meat. I usually use ground turkey and it’s great, but wondering what kind of stock you think would be best to replace the beef stock??
Hello,
You can replace the beef broth with chicken. In fact, I do that sometimes when I’ve been out of beef broth.
Best,
Melissa
Went to College in Cincinnati , graduating in 1980.
I went then , and have stopped ever since then, to be some.
This is TRULY the next best thing to being there !
I added Kidney Beans in the Slow Cooker , to have a ” 5 Way ” , later..
This is fantastic to hear, Michael! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with me.
Best,
Melissa
This was delicious!
Hi Margaret,
So glad to hear! Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Best,
Melissa
Made the sauce as per recipe, then divided into two pans. Added uncooked ground beef to one pot and veggie ground to the other. Simmered for about an hour and a half, hen served over spaghetti with cheese, raw finely diced onion, and red kidney beans. Both the meat and veggie versions were very nice.
The following day, I took frozen naan bread from the freezer, spread a thin layer of the meat mixture, sprinkled diced onion and a layer of grated cheese which I topped with thin slices of tomato, then baked in a 400f fan oven for 10 minutes for quick and easy pizza. Again both the meat and veggie versions were verily yum.
This all sounds amazing! I love the idea of making flatbread pizzas out of it. I will give that a go next time. Thank you so much for taking the time to write!
Best,
Melissa
Very good! Next time, I would reduce the sugar just a bit. Otherwise, it’s perfect.
Glad you enjoyed, Gretchen! That seems like an easy enough adjustment for next time.
Best,
Melissa
Can ground lamb be used?
Yep! That wouldn’t be a problem. 🙂
Best,
Melissa
Excellent….even better than their chili!!!
Wow! Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Thanks,
Melissa
Seeing the list of ingredients here makes me understand why I put my only sampling of Cincinnati chili down the garbage disposer. Also why it has to be smothered by cheese and onions.
A real shame- you are missing out. And no need to comment if you aren’t a Cincinnati chili fan. Just scroll. 🙄
I live in Cincinnati and grew up on Cincinnati chili. I don’t know how the slow cooker recipe turns out but I DO know that the stove top and instant pot recipes will not produce true Cincinnati chili. The ground beef is NOT browned first. The fine texture of the meat in true Cincinnati chili is achieved by not browning it first. It is added to the pot with all of the ingredients. As it cooks, the meat breaks up into a fine texture with no lumps. We do not use beef broth or tomato sauce or brown sugar either. This may be a tasty chili, but it is NOT true Cincinnati chili.
Hi Glenda,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. When I’ve shared this recipe on Facebook, I’ve learned people are very passionate about their Cincinnati chili versions!
As far the consistency, when cooked in the crockpot without browning first it does mimic the “authentic” chili, and is a very fine meat sauce. I’m sure it would turn out the same in the instant pot or stove top if the meat wasn’t browned either. I guess it’s just a matter of preference because I like the texture after browning, but it’s definitely not a necessary step!
As far omitting the broth and tomato sauce, that would definitely work on the stovetop and crockpot, but the Instant Pot version needs the liquid to come to pressure. The brown sugar can be omitted on all versions.
Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for sharing your tips!
Best,
Melissa
🙄
It makes me nervous to put raw hamburger meat in the crockpot. Would browning it first be a problem?
Hi Sarah,
No that wouldn’t be a problem at all. You can decrease the cooking time for 2 hours. Enjoy!
Melissa
This looks yummy! If I wanted to add Kidney beans to it when would you suggest adding them?
Hi Holly!
I always like to add the beans at the very end of cooking so they don’t get mushy. A lot of recipes do add them with all the ingredients, though. I’ve tested it both ways and I feel like adding it at the end slightly wins out.
Best,
Melissa
I love Skyline Chili and have made other versions and this is by far the best so far. I made as written, but cooked the beans in the chili. It was so good.
Hi Kim,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Best version is quite a compliment!
Best,
Melissa
I liked this recipe and will make it again but next time I will omit the brown sugar and the tomato sauce to see if it comes out closer to Skyline’s recipe.
Hello,
Thanks for the tips! I’m sure other readers will appreciate the variations.
Best,
Melissa
Made this tonight in my instant pot amd it was incredible!
Thank you so much Evy! I’m so glad you liked it. Cincinnati Chili is the best, isn’t it?
I loved it! My family is getting used to it haha
They’ll learn to love it, but if they don’t cook’s opinion trumps all! Thanks Tiffanie 🙂