If you have never heard of ‘Cincinnati Chili’, then let me introduce you to our city’s most famous recipe.
Cincinnati is known for its chains of fast service chili restaurants that serve a style of chili unlike other varieties. The most famous is ‘Skyline’ chili.
I am not claiming that Skyline is my favorite, since, as a non-native Cincinnatian, I have not acquired a love for this local specialty. Nevertheless, Skyline is sold at local supermarkets and is famous nationwide for its version.
Cincinnati chili is fabled to have been inspired by the Greek roots of the original owner, and is seasoned with chocolate, cinnamon, and allspice among others. It is also not very thick, and commonly served as a sauce over spaghetti, or hot dogs (known as a ‘Coney’). For some reason, oyster crackers are always an accompaniment. I think it is because the sauce is so loose (some might say ‘watery’).
Beans and onions are not part of the chili sauce but are added as a garnish. Terminology includes: ’3-way’: adding a pile of shredded cheese; a ‘4-way: all of the above with onions and/or beans; and finally a ‘5-way’; the works.
This is a perfect idea for us FODMAP followers- it is easy to omit the onions and beans.
But you can have oyster crackers if you tolerate gluten, one serving is 14g!
Try this low-FODMAP version of my local favorite. It won’t be like the chili you’re used to, but I bet you will love it. And personally, I think the homemade version is a lot better than the restaurants.
Feel free to say ‘WHO DEY’ after you finish 😊!!
For more low-FODMAP Beef ideas- see my low-FODMAP Best Beef Recipe Collection! or Dr. Rachel’s Low-FODMAP Slow-Cooker Meal Recipes; Easy and Delicious (IBS-friendly!).
You may also love my:
- Low-FODMAP Spaghetti/Marinara Sauce
- Low-FODMAP Taco Casserole
- Low-FODMAP Touchdown Chili
- Low-FODMAP Turkey Pumpkin Chili in One Pot
- Low-FODMAP Greek Pastitsio
- Amazing Low-FODMAP Slow-Cooker Bolognese
- Dr. Rachel’s Best Low-FODMAP ‘Copycat’ Recipes; Gluten-free
Or check out over 550 more low-FODMAP recipes on the blog.
Be healthy and happy,
Rachel Pauls, MD
Slow-Cooker Low-FODMAP & Gluten-free ‘Copycat’ Skyline Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati Chili, my hometown favorite, made low-FODMAP! Throw away your ideas of what chili should be and enjoy this tasty meaty sauce over spaghetti, or hot dogs! IBS-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours on high; 8 hours on low
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Slow-Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 7 cups hot (not boiling) water*
- 12 ounces tomato paste*
- 1 and 1/2 ounces semisweet or unsweetened baking chocolate
- 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
- 3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 pounds (32 ounces) lean ground beef*
- 2 tablespoons garlic infused oil
- Garnish: green scallion tips, shredded cheddar cheese, oyster crackers*
- For serving: low-FODMAP, gf bun and hot dog (‘Coney’), or low-FODMAP, gf spaghetti*
Instructions
- Add the water, tomato paste, and chocolate to your slow-cooker
- Stir well to combine (you may use an immersion blender to help)
- Add chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves, red pepper flakes, oregano, black pepper, salt, sugar (if using), and apple cider vinegar
- Mix in the raw ground beef, breaking into small pieces with your hands
- Use a potato masher, or an immersion blender, to break up the meat well
- Cook, on high, for 4 hours (8 hours for low heat)
- Taste, stir in garlic infused oil, and additional seasonings, salt, sugar, vinegar to taste
- Enjoy immediately, or store overnight (tastes better after a day or two in the fridge)
- Serve over cooked LF, GF spaghetti, or with a LF hotdog (‘coney’), topped with shredded cheddar, green scallion tips, and oyster crackers, if desired
Notes
- Although this recipe has not been lab tested, a single serving should be low-FODMAP based on the ingredients (using available FODMAP data at time of posting)
- For tomato paste, select a brand without added onion or garlic. You may consume up to 3 tablespoons (1.5 ounces) per FODMAP Friendly
- Semisweet chocolate is low-FODMAP in 30g servings
- Infused oils contain the flavor but NOT FODMAPs. See this blog for more tips!
- The green tip of the scallion is low in FODMAPs, avoid the bulb
- Cincinnati style chili is watery, with very fine beef pieces. The texture should be this way for this recipe!!
- I used 80%/20% beef
- Oyster crackers are low-FODMAP in 40g portions, they do contain gluten (avoid if sensitive to this)
- Cheese is naturally low in lactose and low in FODMAPs. Avoid large amounts if fat is a trigger for your IBS
- I used Barilla brand gluten-free spaghetti pasta for serving
- Nutritional information below is for chili serving only. It does not include your selected option of spaghetti, or hot dog
