Skyline Cincinnati Chili (2024)

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Easy, authentic Cincinnati Chili, made famous by Skyline, has the perfect medley of unexpected spices and is served over spaghetti with piles of cheddar cheese. This effortless instant pot recipe can also be made in a slow cooker or on the stove for a family friendly meal!

Ways to cook cincinnati chili – Instant pot, crock pot, or stove top

Instant Pot Cincinnati Chili – Making chili in a pressure cooker is my preferred method because it infuses flavor fast!
Slow Cooker – Perfect for a dump and start recipe when you need a meal waiting for you.
Stove Top – The most authentic way allows control over spice adjustments and consistency.

What is Cincinnati Chili?

Cincinnati Chili is a Mediterranean spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti or hot dogs. Spices such as cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, cumin, ground cloves, and chili powder give it an unique taste, similar to moussaka or pastit*io.

Originally the recipe was developed by Macedonian restaurant owners in the 1920’s, but has since been made famous by Skyline “chili parlors” popular in Ohio.

Ingredients needed:

Lean ground beef
Onion
Garlic
Spices – chili powder, unsweetened Cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, cumin, ground cloves
Brown sugar
Beef broth
Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Cider vinegar

How to Make Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Choose between a crock pot, instant pot, or stove top when preparing this chili recipe. All the techniques are easy, but the fastest method is using an instant pot.

To achieve an authentic Skyline chili taste, do not brown the meat first before adding it to the instant pot. This gives the beef a softer texture, unlike a toothier meat sauce or traditional chili recipe.

Instant Pot cincinnati chili

To make Skyline chili recipe in an electric pressure cooker, you have the option of browning the meat first on the SAUTE setting, or simply adding everything to the pot at once.

The only thing you will want to leave out is the tomato paste until you are finished cooking the chili. Once the meat and sauce ingredients cooks under HIGH pressure for 20 minutes, release the pressure and stir in tomato sauce to thicken.

slow cooker cincinnati chili

Assemble all your ingredients and spices. Cincinnati Chili uses a variety of spices, so it’s best to set them out first to make sure none are missed.
Mix together spices, broth, and tomato sauce in the slow cooker. Add the ground beef, breaking up with spoon. Cook on High for 6 hours or Low for 8 hours.

Stove Top method

Cooking traditional Cincinnati-style chili on the stove top allows home cooks more control over seasonings. As the the chili simmers, they can adjust or enhance different flavors based on taste.

Like the instant pot or slow cooker, you also have the option of browning the meat first or not. Simmering the ground beef without browning it first gives a softer texture, and more authentic taste, according to Cincinnati chili lovers.

Once everything is combined the chili should simmer, uncovered, for at least an hour for the flavors to meld.

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 Skyline 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.

Does cincinnati chili Taste Good?

I’ve found by sharing this recipe across social channels, people can be very opinionated about it! You might have grown up with Skyline or Gold Star chili and are thrilled to replicate the taste at home, without having to buy canned versions.

Or, you read the ingredient list and decide it’s a little too “adventurous” for your tastes. While you may be put off by the combination of spices, I say don’t knock it until you try it. If you love greek food, you will find the taste right up your alley!

I also find kids particularly love this meal. How can you go wrong with a base layer of spaghetti, topped with slightly sweet meat sauce, and piled high with cheese?

Plus cooking Cincinnati chili in the slow cooker or instant pot makes it a hands-off meal that takes virtually no effort!

How to Serve Cincinnati Chili

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.

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

Additionally hot sauce and oyster crackers are served alongside Cincinnati chili.

Click here to see thestep-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

TryOther Unique Chili Recipes!

Buffalo Chicken Chili – The perfect amount of spice, a smooth creamy base, lots of tender chicken, and takes only10 minutes to prepare.
Chorizo Chicken Chili – Tender chunks of chicken, achorizo red sauce, beans andsecret ingredient spices.
Pulled Pork Chili – Smoky chili nails essential savory, sweet and spicy chili flavors withpulled pork, apples, chipotles, and pumpkin.
Turkey Chili – An easy crock pot recipe made with lean ground turkey, peppers, fire roasted tomatoes, beans, and simple kitchen spices.

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Best Cincinnati Chili

Easy, authentic Cincinnati Chili, made famous by Skyline, has the perfect medley of unexpected spices and is served over spaghetti with piles of cheddar cheese. This effortless instant pot recipe can also be made in a slow cooker or on the stove for a family friendly meal!

4.30 from 107 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Author: Melissa Erdelac

Ingredients

▢ 2 pounds LEAN ground beef
▢ 1 large onion, diced
▢ 3 cloves garlic, chopped
▢ 2 cups beef broth
▢ 8 ounce can tomato sauce
▢ 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
▢ 2 tablespoons chili powder
▢ 1 tablespoon brown sugar
▢ 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1/2 teaspoon pepper
▢ 6 ounce can tomato paste

FOR SERVING: cooked spaghetti, hot dogs, or baked potatoes

TOPPINGS: lots of shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, and kidney beans

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

INSTANT POT:

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.

SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:

In a slow cookermix 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.

STOVE TOP:

In a large pot or dutch ovenover 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.

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Recipe Notes

Nutrition calculated WITHOUT cooked spaghetti or hot dogs.

Tips for making the best Cincinnati Chili

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.
Cincinnati chili is the perfect freezer meal. Cool completely then freeze serving size amounts in freezer ziplock bags.

Recipe adapted from Family Circle

Nutrition

Course: Dinner

Categories: Dairy Free Dinners Fall Freezer-Friendly Game Day Gluten Free Grain Free Instant Pot Pasta Recipes Slow Cooker Spring Summer Winter

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