Instant Pot Skyline Chili Cheese Coneys—a hot dog in a steamed bun with mustard, covered with copy cat Skyline chili, diced onions and a mound of shredded cheddar cheese.
Instant Pot Skyline Chili Cheese Coneys
Each week in 2020 I’m sharing a recipe inspired by one of the 50 states. So far I’ve covered…
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Utah
- Minnesota
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Hawaii
- South Carolina
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Alaska
- New Mexico
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- South Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Georgia
- North Dakota
- Missouri
- Tennessee
- Nebraska
See all the state recipes in one place.
Today’s recipe is inspired by the Buckeye State, Ohio. Ohio’s nickname is “The Buckeye State” partially because many buckeye trees once covered Ohio’s hills and plains. I’ve heard once that the squirrels used to be able to cross the entire state on the treetops without touching the ground.
I have a special place in my heart for Ohio because Greg grew up there for 10 years of his life. We lived there as a married couple for a year. And we are big Ohio State buckeye fans. We go back there about once a year for an Ohio State football game. Greg has so many great memories from Ohio and it’s fun for my kids to hear about his childhood stories.
I considered making buckeyes for Ohio’s recipe (and probably will post another time). They are a peanut butter and chocolate candy that we typically make around Christmastime. They look like the buckeye nut, hence the name. But instead I opted to go for the famous Skyline Chili Cheese Coneys.
Instant Pot Skyline Chili
Skyline Chili is a restaurant in Ohio that started in 1949. According to their website, “As a child, our founder, Nicholas Lambrinides, watched and learned as his mother lovingly prepared her unique family recipes in their hometown of Kastoria, Greece. He marveled at the magical blend of flavors and dreamed of one day sharing her culinary delights with the world. Opportunity knocked when the family moved to America. They settled in the bustling Midwestern town of Cincinnati, Ohio. And in 1949, Nicholas realized his dream when he opened the doors of his first restaurant, perched atop Price Hill on the city’s West Side. His view of the downtown cityscape inspired the name and Skyline Chili was born.
“Skyline is famous for our incredibly delicious Cheese Coneys and 3-Ways. Our unique chili is still made with the original secret family recipe passed down through generations of the Lambrinides family. It’s extremely craveable. Some would even say addictive. All we know is people love it. And we love serving it to our family and friends.”
Skyline Chili is not your typical southwestern chili. Skyline Chili is served on top of spaghetti noodles or on a hot dog. The seasonings and spices used in the chili are unique and more Greek inspired. The chili is a meat sauce (no beans) in which the ground beef is boiled (not browned). So basically don’t expect chili when you make this recipe, expect a uniquely spiced meat sauce that tastes fantastic served over spaghetti or hot dogs with lots of onions and cheese!
Ways to eat Skyline Cincinnati Chili
There are several “ways” to eat Skyline chili. Here’s the breakdown:
- 2-way: spaghetti and chili
- 3-way: spaghetti, chili and cheese
- 4-way: spaghetti, chili, onions OR beans and cheese
- 5-way: spaghetti, chili, onion, beans and cheese
Here are the options for the chili dogs:
- Bun, hot dog and chili
- Bun, hot dog, chili and cheese
- Bun, hot dog, chili, mustard OR onion and cheese
- Bun, hot dog, chili, mustard, onion and cheese
My favorites are the ways with everything. I don’t normally think to eat raw onions but believe me they make these meals! I hope you like Instant Pot skyline chili as much as we did!
Instant Pot Skyline Chili Cheese Coneys
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Description
A hot dog in a steamed bun with mustard, covered with copy cat Skyline chili, diced onions and a mound of shredded cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
For the chili:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups diced onions
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 pounds extra lean ground beef
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
For serving/topping:
- Cooked hot dogs
- Steamed hot dog buns
- Finely grated cheddar cheese
- Chopped white onion
- Mustard
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onions and saute for 4-5 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot. Stir in the chili powder, cocoa, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, allspice and cloves.
- Pour in the broth and scrape the bottom of the pot. Add in the vinegar, Worcestershire, salt, cayenne and ground beef. Use a spoon (I use this tool*) to break up the meat. Add in the bay leaves and tomato paste.
- Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 10 more minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Add in the tomato sauce. Break up the meat. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting on LESS. Simmer the contents of the pot for 30 minutes. During this time you can stir every 5 minutes or so. The meat sauce will reduce down significantly.
- While the sauce is simmering prepare your other ingredients.
- To serve place a hot dog in a bun and squirt a little mustard over the top, sprinkle onions on top, ladle a scoop of chili on top and then top with a generous portion of grated cheddar cheese. Eat and enjoy!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. You can make this in the 8 quart pot with no changes. For the 3 quart pot, halve the ingredients and keep the cooking time the same.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Great Choice for all the Cincinnati Bengal Fans in the Super Bowl LVI 2022.
Great recipe Karen. Spot on for Skyline Chili. My adult daughter just asked if her Grandma could bring down some cans of Skyline on her next visit. I told her I’d send her a recipe and she could make it herself in her Instant Pot. She was thrilled!! You are my #1 site for Instant Pot recipes!!
★★★★★
Oh that’s so nice to hear. Thank you so much Mary!
I read an article about Cincinnati chili one time that said if you grew up eating normal midwest chili you probably will not like Cincinnati chili since it is spiced completely differently. I found that to be true. I have tried Skyline chili about 4 different times at Skyline and I didn’t care for it, but I love real chili. One thing I have never understood. I lived and worked in Cincinnati in 1962 for over a year. Worked in a factory, went to church had lots of contacts and ate at some Cincinnati mom and pop chili parlors, but never heard of Skyline or any other Cincinnati chili restaurant. This must have all got to be popular since 1962. Just for FYI, in 1962 the Cincinnati Reds were still playing in Crosley stadium. As I remember it seating capacity 28,000.
You are probably right about it not becoming popular until after 1962. Crazy about the stadium! Fun to think back to the “old days!”
I’ll be making a vegetarian version using frozen veggie crumbles. Should I shorten the cooking time?
I’m not sure as I am not familiar with veggie crumbles. I bet the same time would be fine.
I use veggie crumbles and I just treat it like hamburger although it doesn’t need much time to brown since it is vegetable based.
This is a quick easy recipe, the family loved it. I would recommend Making it 24 hours in advance, so the flavors develop more. It is a great substation for the Hard Times Cafe version😋
★★★★★
Thanks Desiree! Glad your family liked it!
It was good with hot dogs, and also over spaghetti. I may use a bit less broth next time and may possibly add a tsp. or so of sugar/honey.
★★★★★
So glad you liked it Sharon!
Been looking for a good chili recipe for a southern style dog. Kinda funny that my favorite is from Ohio. But it’s really good!
I freeze my extra in serving size lumps on wax paper, and then collect them in a bag after they are hard. A recipe will last me for quite a while! I just pull out some hunks, and microwave about a minute.
★★★★★
That is a great tip JoAnne!
I live in Ohio and have for years 68 to be exact but couldn’t you find anything besides this chili that would have represented the whole State I really did not like this and either did any of my grandkids. we are more middle ohio not southwestern.
Sorry you didn’t like it!
It’s a mind set. You cannot approach this recipe as a chili. This recipe is spot on to Skyline Chili. My grown kids love the fact I can make it now. It’s a culinary tradition every time we go back to Dayton. Thank you so much Karen.
You are right Mary. It’s not typical chili.
Grandma Cindy,
What dish would you propose to represent the entire state? Ohio is so large and diverse. Tony Packo copycat would make NW Ohio happy. How about White Castle hamburgers for Central Ohio? Pierogi for NE Ohio? I can’t think of anything right now for SE Ohio.
I’ve lived in all 4 corners of the state and Columbus. Can’t think of a thing that would represent the state. Karen mentioned Buckeyes, which I love, but that’s really a meal (would love to see the recipe!).
Skyline chili is definitely an acquired taste. It’s like cigarettes… I can’t imagine anyone would truly love their first cigarette, but after a time, they’re addicted. I didn’t like it much as a child, but as an adult, I crave it!
★★★★★
This is amazing! My whole family loved it including my very picky daughter in law. I followed the recipe as written except I reduced the tsp of cumin to half. We ate this over spaghetti but will use leftovers for hotdogs. We live in Ohio and my son, who loves Skyline, thought it was even better than theirs. Thank you so much for your awesome recipe,
★★★★★
Oh wow thanks Debbie. I’m so glad you all liked it!
1 1/2 diced onions Needs the addition “cups”
1 1/2 cups diced onions
Going to make this for Father’s Day!
just corrected! Thanks!
Trying this tonight! I have Cincinnati transplants in my Michigan home. It’s hard to find it in cans up here! Hopefully it passes the test! Will keep you updated!
Thanks Tiffany! Hoping too 🤞
It was a hit! My Cincinnati boys were impressed and it takes a lot to impress them with Cincinnati chili! Thank you!
Yay Tiffany!!! This brought a big smile to my face 😃
Being that there are only two of us is it possible to halve this recipe.
Sure!!!
I lived in Cincinnati many years ago and was hoping the Ohio recipe would be Cincy chili! I made it tonight and it’s just how I remember it!! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Ahhh, thanks Sue! This is so nice to hear. I’m glad you liked it. Which “way” did you serve it?
Oh. My. Goodness! This is the most amazing chili dog sauce I have ever made! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to use the leftovers on spaghetti tomorrow night.
★★★★★
Thanks Gaylene! I’m so happy you liked it!! 😊
Hi..have not made this yet. Is the nutrition on this only for the chili?
It’s for 1 hot dog, 1 bun, cheese and chili
I am wondering if you have a recipe for cheater lasagna for slow cookers, if so, please email me with it?
Hi, I am sorry I don’t!
I’m a Cincinnati gal, and this is spot on! Don’t forget the mustard if it’s a chili dog, and the oyster crackers if it’s a five-way!
★★★★★
Hi Debbie! Thanks for weighing in. We loved these hot dogs! And for sure I loved the mustard.
Do you have this recipe for slow cookers?
No I haven’t tried it yet in my slow cooker. I bet you could though. I would add all ingredients to slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Then cook on low for another 2-3 without the lid so it can reduce down.
In West Virginia, this chili is more commonly known as “Hot Dog Sauce”.
I never heard of this until we moved to West Virginia two years ago.
Forward recipe to my three kids who live in Ohio and West Virginia. It should be a big hit for them and our six grand children.
Cool! 🙌