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I have a passion for accurately recreating restaurant copycat recipes (such as my wildly popular Chipotle series), so tackling Skyline’s famous Cincinnati Chili was a delight. I worked with my brother-in-law, an Ohio native, to make sure I nailed the exact flavor that comes from unexpected spices and a surprise square of chocolate.
Nearly 800 5-star reviews later, the jury is in, and they LOVE IT! If you’re seeking a Skyline chili copycat recipe or just want to try something new, this is the recipe to try.
What is Cincinnati Chili?
Ever been to the Skyline Chili in Ohio?
If that’s a no, leave everything you thought you knew about traditional chili behind, because this recipe will turn it all upside down, but only in the most delicious way.
The (secret) recipe calls for a combination of spices and ingredients that you might find a bit odd, especially for a savory meat stew. Allspice? Cloves? Unsweetened chocolate?
Stick with me (and our friends from the Buckeye state) because this recipe is perfect for the slow cooker and freezes beautifully, so you can have Cincinnati-style chili any time, any place.
Table of Contents
Skyline Chili Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
- Unsweetened chocolate: Just one ounce is all you need, but the super fans swear it makes all the difference.
- Ground beef: You won’t have a chance to drain the fat from the beef in this recipe. I think 85/15 is ideal for maximum flavor without too much grease, but you can choose something leaner if you want to.
- Toppings: Build your bowl with spaghetti, chili, and cheese, then top it off with onions, kidney beans, or even oyster crackers if you want to. Here’s the official guide to the “ways” Skyline serves their chili:
- 2-Way: Spaghetti, Chili
- 3-Way: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese
- 4-Way: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese, Onions OR Beans
- 5-Way aka “the works”: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese, Onions AND Beans
How to make Skyline Cincinnati Chili
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Cook onions until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in chocolate, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth, tomato sauce, vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir in beef and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 20 to 25 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper).
- Serve over cooked spaghetti with desired toppings such as cheese, beans, onions, and crackers.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 10 generous servings of Cincinnati Chili.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Cool and portion into freezer-safe containers, label and date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Slow cooker: Sauté the onions in olive oil over medium-high heat until softened. Add the unsweetened chocolate, garlic, oregano, chili powder, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon. Add to a slow cooker with the chicken broth, tomato sauce, vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire, salt and pepper, and beef. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8 hours.
- Coney Dog: If you’re thinking a hot dog smothered with chili might be just the thing, you’re not alone. Eat it in the bun, or topped with cheese, mustard, onion, beans, you name it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cincinnati Chili is made with several non-traditional ingredients including chocolate, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. It’s also a thinner chili overall, and it’s served over spaghetti noodles with a mountain of cheese on top.
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Skyline Cincinnati Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 onions finely chopped (plus more for topping)
- 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 16 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds ground beef (preferably 85/15, see note 1)
- cooked spaghetti for serving
- shredded cheese dark red kidney beans, finely chopped onions, and oyster crackers, for serving (see note 2)
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Cook onions until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in chocolate, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth, tomato sauce, vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir in beef and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 20 to 25 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper).
- Serve over cooked spaghetti with desired toppings such as cheese, beans, onions, and crackers.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Ground beef: You won’t have a chance to drain the fat from the beef in this recipe. I think 85/15 is ideal for maximum flavor without too much grease, but you can choose something leaner if you want to.
- Toppings: Build your bowl with spaghetti, chili, and cheese, then top it off with onions, kidney beans, or even oyster crackers if you want to. Here’s the official guide to the “ways” Skyline serves their chili:
- 2-Way: Spaghetti, Chili
- 3-Way: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese
- 4-Way: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese, Onions OR Beans
- 5-Way aka “the works”: Spaghetti, Chili, Cheddar Cheese, Onions AND Beans
- Yield: This recipe makes 10 generous servings of Cincinnati Chili.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Looks like a great recipe missing cumin and how about the oyster crackers?
Hi Sue! Adding some cumin and topping with oyster crackers sounds delicious! Thank you for the suggestion! – Meggan
I made this as is and brought to a Super Bowl party. No one really liked it. It’s different from what we’re used to in the south.
Hi JJ, thanks for giving this chili a try. Sounds like you liked it enough to bring to the party. Sorry the others didn’t care for it. – Meggan
Delicious. I was honestly not expecting to like it as much as I did. I’ve shared it with two other people already and I just made it a couple of days ago. Great recipe.
Thank you so much, Sheri! I’m glad you all loved it! – Meggan
Great recipe! I use ground venison instead of beef and it is wonderful every time. I’m from Cincinnati, grew up eating Skyline and can attest that this recipe is legit!
Thank you so much, Steve! Take care! – Meggan
For a copy cat this one is great! Being an Ohio native who now lives on the west coast, there are zero opportunities for Skyline here! Thank you for sharing, really enjoy this!
You’re so welcome, Terra! 😊 – Meggan
Can I use unsweetened cocoa POWDER instead?
Hi Coleen, yes! Readers have used a heaping tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder instead of the unsweetened chocolate. I hope you love it! – Meggan
This is the most savory and delicious chili I have ever tasted! The secret ingredient (chocolate) blew my mind…it totally works! This recipe comes together quickly and I love how the beef is cooked right in the sauce…no extra prep…I highly recommend this recipe!!
Thank you, Frances! – Meggan
I’ve never had the OG Skyline Chili so I have no basis of comparison. What I can say, is this recipe is FIRE 🔥 🔥 🔥!!!! My husband saw me using actual measuring spoons/ cups and got a little weirded out cuz I only use those for candy and pastry but I wanted to get the intended flavor of something I’ve never tasted. I can’t remember the last time I followed a recipe verbatim. Phenomenal, I love it, thank you❤️❤️❤️
You’re so welcome, Cblack! I love it! – Meggan
How much spaghetti does this recipe call for? 1 pound?
Hi Joe, the cooked spaghetti is for serving, so I would prepare as much as you need. I think a pound would be a great place to start for 4 to 6 people. – Meggan
Born and raised in Cincinnati. I’ve lived here for 53 years. I should have been weary when you said he is an OH native. OH native and Cincy native are 2 different things. The flavor was almost there. Only thing the dish lacked was the slight bite. If you know Cincy chili you know of the slight bite – nol hot, not harsh, just a slight bite. I think if recipe had double the cinnamon and cloves, you would hit the slight bite. I’ll definitely try this recipe again with double cinnamon and cloves. It’s so close as is.
Reason I’m trying isn’t to save money – it’s to save fat & calories. Once I get the chili perfect, I’ll switch to ground turkey or chicken. Hoping this recipe works.
Hi Jenni, thanks for taking to write! I appreciate your feedback. Take care! – Meggan