Skyline Chili: Create Your Own Cheese Coneys

Discover the flavors of Skyline Chili with this homemade recipe. Experience savory chili over spaghetti topped with cheese.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Skyline Chili

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2

Servings servings

Calories 326kcal

Author Dana DeVolk

In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
2 pounds ground beef, 1 large yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic
Add the tomato paste, mixing well with the beef and onion.
¼ cup tomato paste
Stir in the chili powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, ground cloves, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.
3 tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
Toss in the 2 bay leaves.
2 bay leaves
Stir in the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce and beef broth until all ingredients are well combined.
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 can tomato sauce, 4 cups beef broth
Use a potato masher to break up any larger lumps of ground beef. This step helps achieve a smoother, more traditional Cincinnati chili consistency.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Partially cover the pot and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
If the chili becomes too thick, add a bit more broth or water. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.
After simmering, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or spices if needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Mash Early. Use a potato masher while the beef is still raw in liquid for that fine Skyline texture.
Simmer Low & Slow. Gentle heat lets spices bloom without scorching the pot bottom.
Skim Fat. Chill cooked chili; solid fat rises. Lift it off for a leaner bowl.
Shred Cheese Fine. The thinner the shred, the faster it melts on your “Way.”
Warm the Bowls. Hot bowls keep chili and spaghetti cozy longer.
Batch Cook. Double the recipe; freeze half. Future dinner saved!