Authentic Instant Pot Cincinnati Chili (Skyline Copycat)

History coming to America

Cincinnati-style chili was born when brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff left Macedonia, to start their new lives in America. They brought with them their Macedonian recipes with the traditional combination of spices and opened a restaurant on October 24, 1922.

They named it Empress Chili Parlor. They boldly created their own version of chili using the spices of their homeland. They sold chili dogs, chili spaghetti, coffee, cigars, and some grocery items. 

Since their location happened to be right next to the Empress Burlesque theater the restaurant was provided a steady stream of customers. "The Empress" became the model that later chili parlors would follow. Many of their friends came to American and working at the chili polar became their first job in America.

What is Cincinnati chili like today?

There have evolved many different variations of the original chili.  It is typically a type of chili con carne characterized by the use of seasonings such as cinnamon, cloves allspice, and sometimes chocolate.

It is usually an all-beef chili that is simmered with water or broth, a tomato base, and a unique mixture of savory and sweet spices and seasonings. It is commonly served over spaghetti or as a hot dog sauce.

Also, it's normally a thin, sauce-like consistency, unlike most chili con carne. The most famous restaurant today that serves Cincinnati chili is called Skyline Chili. Skyline began as a chili parlor on Glenway Avenue. This restaurant overlooked the Cincinnati skyline, inspiring the name of the parlor.

Why this recipe works

• Using an electric pressure cooker helps infuse all the spices and meat flavors together much faster than traditional stovetop chili.
• After many trials and taste tests, I have found what seems to be the most authentic combination of flavors like what you would purchase at the Skyline Chili restaurants today.
• This is a great recipe to serve guests because many people have never had the Skyline Chili they now serve in the Ohio area. I have served it many times and people always comment later on how surprised they were by the dish and how much they liked it. It's the perfect medley of unexpected spices in chili.

🛒 Ingredient notes

• Ground beef: You will want to use an 80/20 meat to fat ratio. The fat enhances the flavor, but don't worry. You can easily remove the excess by chilling the chili after it is done cooking in your Instant Pot.
• Seasonings: Always be sure your seasonings are fresh. If they have been in your pantry for more than 6 months then they will start to lose their flavor and strength to season your recipes
• A-1 sauce - I personally buy store brand for this and it works just fine.
• The original recipe had kidney beans as a topping, but for my recipe pictures, I used pinto beans that I canned myself. My hubby does not like kidney beans due to the fact he was forced to eat them as a child in traditional chili; bad memories. Black beans would also be a good choice if you prefer.
• I have found it is better to use garlic powder instead of fresh cloves garlic for the copycat version. The skyline chili does not have a noticeable garlic taste.
• The same goes for onion powder vs raw onions. The powder is more subtle.
• Be sure and use a combination of white sugar and brown sugar.

See the recipe card for a complete list and quantities.

💭 Tips for making the recipe

The original restaurant boils the meat right in the sauce and leaves the fat in it. This gives it the fine meaty constancy that makes it like the original. I personally feel that is too much fat so for this Instant Pot Skyline chili recipe, I do a lower fat version and boil the hamburger in water and then drain all the water and fat off of it.

🔪 Step by step instructions

1. Add your ground beef to the Instant Pot pan along with two quarts of water. Turn the Instant Pot to the saute function. Cook hamburger in the water until all red is gone. It should take 7 to 8 minutes. Be sure to stir several times throughout the cooking process. The hamburger should be small and crumbly.
2. Drain water from the cooked hamburger and return the meat to the instant pot pan.
3. Add the seasonings, tomato paste, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, black pepper garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, paprika, and A-1 sauce. Stir well to mix in all the seasonings.
4. Add the liquids, tomato sauce, white vinegar, and water. Stir so all the ingredients are blended together evenly.
5. Lock on the lid, bring the Instant Pot to high pressure and cook time for 30 minutes. When the time is up let the pressure come down naturally. Unlock the lid.
6. Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles and toppings of your choice.
7. Combine all spices into a large bowl and mix thoroughly into lean ground beef.

💭 Tips for making the recipe

If your hamburger clumps together in large pieces then use an immersion blender in the water and hamburger mixture before you drain it. If you don't have an immersion blender then try a potato masher.

How to serve

One of the most memorable parts of eating this chili is the ordering process. No, it's not just a bowl of chili, you have decisions to make and you have to know the Cincinnati Chili language. You step up to the counter and tell them the way you want it. 

The traditional way to serve the chili is two-way, chili over spaghetti, but you must decide if you want cheese, onions, or beans added to the chili. Also, don't forget, hot sauce and oyster crackers are served on the side with each plate. 

• Two-Way: Chili on top of spaghetti
• Three-Way: Chili on top of spaghetti with tons of cheese shredded on top
• Four-Way: Chopped onions added to the three-way
• Five-Way: Beans added to the four-way
• Coney: Vienna sausage or hot dogs with mustard, topped with chili, onions, and cheese on a steamed bun

❓ FAQ