Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Chili)
On April 16, 2025
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Greek-seasoned beef chili, melted cheddar cheese, and diced onions come together on a bed of spaghetti for this Midwest-style Skyline Chili.
Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Chili)
Buckle up, because Cincinnati Chili might just be the most unexpected dish you’ll ever try. And, trust me, I mean that in the best way. It’s rich, spiced with cinnamon and cloves, and served over a big bowl of spaghetti with more shredded cheddar than you think is reasonable (don’t worry, it’s not). Part pasta, part chili, and all full of flavor, this is sure to become a staple in your comfort food rotation.
Give your mouth the hug it deserves by making this homemade Skyline Chili at home in your own backyard. I’ll show you how.
What is Skyline chili?
Created by Greek immigrants in the 1920s trying to make Italian food to entice the American appetite, Skyline Chili has become a staple in Ohio food culture. You can pile it on pasta or spoon it over a hot dog, or get it one of the five “ways” they do it at the original spot.
The “Ways” of Serving Skyline Chili
This chili was designed to be served in layers, so it’s perfect when you need to feed a big crowd. Start with a simple scoop of this Cincy-inspired chili over spaghetti noodles for picky eaters, then build the layers of flavor from there. Here are the “ways,” so you can serve like a local.
- Two-way: Spaghetti and chili
- Three-way: Spaghetti, chili, and cheese
- Four-way: Spaghetti, chili, cheese, and diced onions (or kidney beans)
- Five-way “The Works”: Spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, and kidney beans
Ingredients for Skyline Chili
This chili gets its signature flavor from a surprisingly cozy blend of warming spices. It might sound unusual at first, but once you taste it, you’ll understand.
For the Chili
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 cups beef stock
- 2 15-ounce cans tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Cincinnati Chili Spice Blend
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cumin (ground)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 bay leaves
Toppings
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- medium cheddar cheese (finely shredded)
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans (optional)
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles (cooked)
How to Make Skyline Chili
You know all the ins and outs of Skyline Chili, now it’s your turn to make it. Follow these simple steps so you can enjoy this Ohio classic with the people you love:
- Brown the ground beef. Heat a large pot over medium-high and add a little olive oil until it starts to shimmer. Drop in your ground beef and hit it with a spatula so it breaks it apart. Let it sit and sizzle until one side gets a little crust. Don’t rush this part! A bit of browning goes a long way.
- Add the aromatics. Toss in the diced onions and cook until soft. Stir in the garlic and that wild blend of cinnamon, chili powder, cloves, and more. If it smells like you’re standing between a spice shop and a classic diner, you’re on the right track.
- Add the liquids. Pour in beef stock, making sure to scrape up the browned bits. Mix in tomato paste, a splash of vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until the sauce is smooth, rich, and deep red.
- Simmer and prepare the toppings. Cover and simmer low and slow while you make the spaghetti and prep your toppings. You’ll want heaps of finely-shredded cheddar, chopped onions, and beans so you’re ready to go Five-Way.
- Add the toppings, serve, and enjoy. Pile your chili on a plate of spaghetti and build it your way, or just throw some in a bowl. Two-Way, Three-Way, Four-Way, or go big with “The Works.” However you serve it, enjoy the pure Midwest magic in every bite.
Susie’s Cincinnati Chili Pro Tips
You don’t need anything more than the recipe at the end of this post for an unforgettable family dinner experience. If you want to shoot for an authentic Cincinnati Chili, here area a couple tips to help you:
- Get fine. Traditional Cincinnati chili has a very fine texture, almost sauce-like, so make sure to really break down your ground beef.
- Don’t rush. The simmering process gives all those amazing spices plenty of time to meld together so don’t rush the process.
- Don’t sleep on the cheese. There’s an old saying “If you have to ask if there’s enough cheese, there’s not enough cheese.” This is applicable here.
Serving Suggestions
While the classic Cincinnati “ways” deliver a whole experience, don’t be afraid to get creative. You can follow these “ways” or use it in new ways to spice up your favorites. Because it’s more fine, this chili is fantastic on hot dogs, baked potatoes, or a bowl loaded with fixins. Remember, this unique dish started by blending cultures, so don’t be afraid to add your own twist for something totally new.
Storage and Reheating
Cincinnati Chili actually tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to develop further. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a gallon zip-top bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.
More Chili Recipes
Once you see how simple making your own chili at home is, you’ll be making it all the time. Luckily for you, the Hey Grill Hey App is stacked with simple chili recipes so you’ll never run out. Plus, you can make shopping lists and meal plans, all right from your pocket. For now, check out some of the newer additions to the Hey Grill Hey chili family:
Homemade Skyline Chili Recipe
Make this Skyline Chili at home for a comforting dish that’s nostalgic yet surprising at once. After you and your tastebuds get done strolling down new memory lane, head to the comment section. I want to hear which “way” you went with, and you know I love those 5-star reviews.
If you make a particularly pretty pile of Cincinnati Chili, snap some pics so you can share them with me on social media. Just follow my Instagram and Facebook pages, then tag @heygrillhey. For a closer look at me making recipes like this, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Chili)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef stock
- 2 15-ounce cans tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Cincinatti Chili Spice Blend
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 bay leaves
Toppings
- 1 yellow onion diced
- medium cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles cooked
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef. Preheat a heavy-bottom pot over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until it just starts to visibly ripple. Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spatula. Allow to brown on one side before stirring.2 pounds ground beef, 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Add the aromatics. Add the onion to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the minced garlic and the spice blend. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, until fragrant.1 yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic, 2 Tablespoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, 2 bay leaves
- Add the liquids. Carefully pour in the beef stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until all ingredients are well-incorporated.4 cups beef stock, 2 15-ounce cans tomato paste, 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Simmer and prepare the toppings. Reduce the heat on the chili to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. While the chili simmers, cook the spaghetti in salted water according to the package directions, and drain. Shred the cheese, dice the onions, and drain the kidney beans.1 yellow onion, medium cheddar cheese, 1 pound spaghetti noodles, 1 15-ounce can kidney beans
- Add the toppings, serve, and enjoy. To serve your Cincinnati chili, layer the chili and toppings on the cooked spaghetti noodles as desired. Two-way is spaghetti and chili. Three-way is spaghetti, chili, and cheese. Four-way is spaghetti, chili, cheese, and onions. Five-way (AKA “The Works”) is spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, AND kidney beans. The chili can also be served atop a hotdog and bun with cheese for the ultimate Cincinnati chili cheese dog.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
