If you’ve been to Cincinnati, Ohio, you’ve probably heard about the famous Skyline Chili recipe. This crockpot recipe serves as a hearty meal, combining beef and a variety of spices to create a unique blend that pairs with the company’s famous toppings: beans, cheese, and onions.
I’ve made it easy for you to make this simple Skyline Chili recipe at home. All you need is a slow cooker and a lot of patience to wait for all the flavors to develop by slow simmering.
Skyline Chili: Comfort In A Plate
Once we have that first night of cold Fall weather, this Skyline Chili’s ingredents get added to my grocery list. It’s a plate full of tradition.
You should consider making the Cincinnati chili recipe for easy family dinners, game days, and special gatherings.The crockpot will do all the cooking for you while you can do other tasks on a busy day. Not only is it hassle-free to make, but it packs a lot of flavors with its unique blend of spices that can satisfy any palate.
Imagine serving a bowl of thick, flavorful chili with spaghetti or hotdogs on a cold day. Nothing can get more comfortable than that!
If you’re interested in more slow-cooker recipes, try the Easy Italian Crockpot Chicken Parmesan or the Thick and Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe.
The History Of Skyline Chili
Skyline 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 their new restaurant Empress Chili Parlor. They were out-of-the-box thinkers, not conforming to the usual American chili. They 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 received a steady stream of customers. “The Empress became the model that later chili parlors would follow.
Ingredients Needed To Make Skyline Chili
Now, let’s gather the ingredients to start making Skyline Chili.
- Ground beef: For that perfect balance of flavor, I choose ground beef with an 80/20 ratio, meaning 20% fat, to make the chili richer without being too greasy. Always make sure it’s fresh to ensure the best quality. You may want the beef to be coarsely ground to create a similar texture to Cincinnati Skyline Chili.
- Spices: This recipe uses allspice, cinnamon, and chili powder, making it different from other traditional chili recipes. Together, these spices add more depth and complexity to the flavor. If you want to ensure the best flavor, check the expiration date and choose the freshest spices.
- A-1 sauce: This brown sauce condiment adds a savory flavor to the dish. For that classic tangy, savory flavor, choose the original A-1 sauce.
- I use a combination of plain tomato sauce and tomato paste for that thick and velvety texture that this chili recipe is known for. You want the natural tomato flavor to shine through, so choose natural brands without the sugar and additives.
- To create a more flavorful base, I use apple cider vinegar. Choose the organic kind of apple cider vinegar to keep its natural apple flavor. Check the color and make sure that it’s a rich, amber color.
- Seasonings: I prefer to use the powdered forms of garlic and onion for easy blending. Choose brands that use pure garlic and onion without additives to ensure the best quality. White sugar, salt, and black pepper to taste.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Skyline Chili
Once you have the ingredients, here are the steps you need to follow in making the Skyline Chili recipe.
Cook Ground Beef
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with two cups of water over medium heat.
- Stir continuously to break up the beef into small crumbles until all the pink is gone.
Copycat Tip
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 crock pot Skyline chili recipe, I do a lower-fat version, boil the hamburger in water, and then drain all the water and fat off of it.
Transfer The Cooked Beef
- Once the beef turns brown, drain off excess water and fat.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a slow cooker.
Add the Spices and Seasonings
- To start building the flavor, add the chili powder, ground cinnamon, and allspice to the cooked ground beef in the slow cooker.
- Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and white sugar to taste.
- With a ladle or large spoon, stir together to coat the beef evenly.
Add the Liquids
- Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, A-1 sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Mix all the ingredients with a large spoon or ladle.
Cook And Serve
- Cover the slow cooker with a lid once all the ingredients are fully combined.
- Cook on low for six hours or high for 3-1/2 hours.
- Get ready for the fun part when serving. It’s time to layer it up.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Sucess
- Use a potato masher or fork to break up the beef to get a nice crumble.
- If the chili is too thick, add a bit of water. For more information, see my post on How To Thicken Chili.
- Make the Skyline Chili ahead of time, as the flavors continue to blend the next day. This results in a better-tasting dish because, as we all know, chili gets better each time you reheat it.
Serving Suggestions
When we eat at Skyline Chili, the ordering process is one of the most memorable parts of eating this chili. No, it’s not just a bowl of chili; you have decisions to make, and you must know the Cincinnati Chili language. You step up to the counter and tell them how you want it.
1-Way: Chili as a standalone dish
2-Way (traditional): Chili on top of spaghetti
3-Way: Add shreds of cheese on a two-way of chili and spaghetti
4-Way: Add diced onions to the three-way
5-Way: Add kidney beans to the previous layers
Coney Hot Dog: When I think of a great chili dog, I imagine a delicious hot dog served in a soft bun, topped with Skyline Chili, cheese, mustard, and onions. It’s the ultimate hotdog!
Storing Leftovers
What I like about Skyline Chili is you can keep a large batch in your fridge or freezer as the flavor only gets better when reheated. The leftovers should last in the fridge for 3-4 days or up to three months in the freezer.
Here are some tips to store your leftovers safely.
- Cool down the chili before storing it in the fridge or freezer.
- Keep the leftover chili in an airtight container or freezer-safe container.
- Divide into small portions for easy reheating.
You can reheat refrigerated chili in the microwave or stovetop over medium heat. You might need to add a little water if the chili has gotten to thick.
For frozen chili, thaw it first in the fridge overnight. If you’re in a pinch, defrost in the microwave.
More Chili Recipes
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
I Want To Answer Your Questions & Hear Your Comments
Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
Skyline Chili Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds ground beef
- 2 cups water
- 29 oz can tomato sauce
- 12 oz can tomato paste
- 1 ½ tablespoons mild chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon A-1 sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add the ground beef and 2 cups of water. Cook over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the beef into small crumbles. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off excess water and fat.2 ½ pounds ground beef, 2 cups water
- Transfer the cooked beef to a slow cooker. Add the chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, salt, white sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to coat the beef evenly with the spices.1 ½ tablespoons mild chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ cup white sugar
- Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, A-1 sauce, and water. Stir everything together until well combined.29 oz can tomato sauce, 12 oz can tomato paste, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon A-1 sauce
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 ½ hours.
- Serve the chili over cooked spaghetti. Top with kidney beans, diced onions, shredded cheese, and oyster crackers, if desired.
Notes
- Breaking up the beef: Use a potato masher or fork while cooking to get a finer crumble for a more authentic texture.
- Slow Cooker Time: For the best flavor, let it cook on low for 6 hours if possible.
- Serving Suggestions: Traditional Skyline Chili is typically served as “3-Way” (chili, spaghetti, cheese), “4-Way” (add onions or beans), or “5-Way” (add onions and beans).
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot.