The best Chili Mixes: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

If you really want to try it without having to travel, I would recommend you pick up some of the Cincinnati Recipe spice mixes. Available on Amazon, but if you have Kroger (or one of their subsidiaries like Smith's, Ralph's, etc.) in your area, they might carry it (should be near the other chili spice mix packets). Then you just need water, tomato paste, ground beef, and spaghetti. Much better than the canned stuff, which often has a metallic taste to it.

I'd hate for someone's first impression of this delicious meal to be the canned stuff.

I prefer Gold Star myself, so when we go back or someone visits, we purchase a couple cases of the seasoning packets from Kroger. We eat it a few times a month. You can get the packets on Amazon at a ridiculous mark-up. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0Q1IX2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_SCDMKVM95H8WGJB8RNMV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Try Cincinnati chili if you haven't had it already. You can get the spice mix for the brand I like here . It is thinner than most other types of chili. It is served over spaghetti with an absolute mountain of cheddar cheese. You can add beans (that are simmered in the chili), hot sauce, onions and/or oyster crackers. You can make coneys by serving it on hot dogs with a mountain of cheddar. You can also make the most amazing dip by putting a block of cream cheese in a 9 inch dish. Microwave it until it is soft. Spread the cream cheese evenly on the bottom of the dish. Ladle about 1-2 cups of chili on top. A good layer but not too thick. If the chili is cold, microwave it until it is hot. Spread a ton of cheddar on the top (finely shredded, at least 2 cups for the dip. Microwave until the cheese melts. Serve with tortilla chips.

Using this starter seasoning packet and following the directions will likely be the easiest method

[Cincinnati Recipe Chili Mix 2.25 Oz (pack of 3)]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FFS4CBT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_9DVJ5TCPQXS3PK6JMRNA)

This is the stuff:

Skyline-style chili packet

It's pricey online; you might be able to find it at Kroger/Fred Meyer affiliates.

I feel like you either haven't tried skyline chili, or you haven't tried putting regular chili on spaghetti.

Oh! Or looked up a recipe online! Those don't work, and I don't know why. Best I can do without going to Ohio is using these packets from amazon. Here

This is the spice mix my mom used when I was a kid. It's pretty good but also don't be afraid to use some extra chili powder or throw some hot sauce over the finished product.

Do yourself a favor and make it at home with these seasoning packets. Super easy and only requires like three ingredients. I make it about once a month.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2ES0NY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MZR41X4FSMQ3RB64GB2V

1 lb. ground beef (lowest fat content possible, like 93/7%)

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

6 cups water (I usually use 4-5, to cut the cooking time)

1 packet of spice mix: Amazon, but Walmart is probably cheaper

Scrape the beef into the water, beating it with a fork to break up lumps; bring it to a boil. (Do NOT brown the beef first!) Reduce to low heat. Add tomato paste, stir, and add the spice packet. Simmer until the chili "snaps back" when stirred.

Serve over spaghetti noodles; top with finely-grated sharp cheddar cheese and red pepper sauce (tabasco or Frank's). This is what's called a "3-way," a 4-way" includes diced onions on top. IIRC, a 5-way adds black beans. (I don't use onions or beans, so I could be misremembering.)

For coneys, put a hot dog on a bun, top with mustard, and add a ladleful of chili and a handful of cheddar; add hot sauce again.

If you have relatives or friends in the Midwest, they may be able to pick up the spice packets at a Kroger's store or subsidiary.

Or just buy it in powder form.

Frank's RedHot Seasoning Set: Frank's RedHot Original and Buffalo Ranch - Set of 2 Frank's RedHot Seasoning Blends https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G8MZN5L/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_D0YHY3X6RDPY9RV6BFJJ

If you're serious about trying it, I would suggest you make your own with this. There's also a Kroger in Troy that sells individual packets.

If they have this, they probably have the frozen chili by itself, sans spaghetti. If so that’s the way to go. You avoid the mushy pasta of the frozen chili spaghetti and the metallic taste of the canned chili.

Another superior option is to see if they have the Cincinnati Recipe spice packets. And even if they don’t, you can order them from Amazon.

If it helps, a LOT of commercial Chinese cooking uses dried chilis. Those should be easier to find. heck you can order those off of amazon as they have a decent shelf life.

EX: https://www.amazon.com/Soeos-Szechuan-Chili%EF%BC%8CDry-Peppers-Sichuan/dp/B06XX51N55

I wish I could help :/ and the frozen stuff is awful. I actually bought a generic “Cincinnati chili” spice packet online and followed their directions by boiling it in water, but then I threw it in a food processor and it tasted exactly like Skyline 👍

I actually like it better than the real thing. If for some reason you can’t find it in the store, it’s available on Amazon as well:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B6O4LO/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_wuxaBbB9D8B2J

I buy these, then just follow the instructions. https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Cincinnati-Chili-Mix-packets/dp/B000E4C1OK

(This will be your reaction. "Wait. Boil the ground beef? ... BOIL IT?" Yes, my friend. Follow the instructions, you will enter heaven.)

I tried making it from scratch once but it wasn't the same. With the packets, it's exactly right. (You can also find Gold Star packets, if that's your jam.)

I really have no idea, but the directions on the spice packets for ~~Skyline~~ Skytime, Inc. say to mix with 6oz tomato paste, water, and ground beef, which is what I was referencing.

The Bob Evans restaurant chain originated in Ohio. So you could pick something from their menu. The first thing that came to mind for me was biscuits and sausage gravy.

If you want to do Cincinnati style chili, there are certainly plenty of recipes on the Internet which you could start from. If you don't mind starting with a spice packet, rumor has it that this brand is actually made by the Skyline company. You might be able to find it in grocery stores.

Here are the spice packets. 1 gallon per packet. I usually go a little less on the recommended water for meatier chili. Miles better than that shit in a can. https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Cincinnati-Chili-Mix-Packets/dp/B000B6O4LO

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Cincinnati-Chili-Mix-packets/dp/B000E4C1OK/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1486570950&sr=8-2&keywords=cincinnati+chili

I get these, cheaper than buying in store.

EDIT: For me they are $2.69/pack in Kroger vs $2.14/pack on amazon

I saw you went with a case of cans, but for future reference the packets are normally cheaper online. This brand is skyline (the fine print on the back says skytime but the address is the skyline factory in Fairfield on Thunderbird Ln.) and comes out closer to restaurant quality IMO. One packet makes about 4 cans worth of chili.

Edit: Now I see someone else suggested the same idea.

This isn't really a recipe, but sometimes my family members just send me these packets, and I mix it into vegan "ground beef" crumbles with a bit of tomato paste and perhaps some veggie broth and let it simmer for a while. The packets are pretty salty, though, just so you know. The packet has some suggestions for proportions as well. Sometimes I mix in some beans too!

One other thing that I've done to mix it up and make it a bit healthier was eating the chili with spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti. Obviously, empty carbs are tastier, but it was fun to try out and mix it up :)

Cincinnati style chili doesn't have beans though they can be added here is a recipe from scratch: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/15425/cincinnati-style-chili/

Try the seasoning packet for close to the real thing: http://www.amazon.com/Pack-Cincinnati-Chili-Mix-Packets/dp/B000B6O4LO

Yeah it's thin. Order some of this shit, follow the directions, and try it out. I recommend adding some hot sauce to the pot while cooking. Something not vinegary. Then when you are ready to eat it (usually poured over spaghetti with a mountain of shredded cheddar on top), put some Franks RedHot on it. (But then again I fucking love hot sauce so that may not be your bag. Just go for the Franks if you're luke-warm on it. Franks is also from Cincinnati -- though the company moved years ago. The OG Cincy chili parlors had Franks as a condiment. (Not Skyline! it's not OG and not synonymous with Cincinnati chili, it's just the biggest chain.)) Oyster crackers should be added to the plate as you eat it (like a delicious pie -- no twirling!). The crackers soak up the extra juice. Eat them when they are soggy. Perhaps with some added Franks. Fuck the cans of chili, btw. The spice packets plus your choice of ground beef are far superior. You can add chopped raw onions (between the chili and cheese) if you want, and/or beans. I don't really dig either, but with chili/spaghetti/cheese you've got a three-way. Add one of the others and it's a four-way "with beans" or "with onions". Add both of them and you've got yourself a five-way. Get drunk and have a fucking three-way, my friend. Or a four-way or five-way if that's your thing. It's like ambrosia and nectar had a baby.

I just hope no one gets hurt with all that D that's gonna be whipped out on Sunday. It's games like this one I really wish we had a healthy Vontaze Burfict.

If you want my opinion, this is the way to do it:

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Star-Cincinnati-Chili-Seasoning/dp/B00J2ES0NY/ref=pd_sim_325_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KJX0FNMDW53JB5WRKCT&dpID=51cROvGhPrL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

This seller doesn't seem to ship internationally, but if you scour around, I'm sure you can find someone who does. The main point is that it's much cheaper to ship little envelopes of spice powder than the cans. You can use your own local water, ground beef, and tomato paste. :-)

Crock pot. 12 hours low. 2 lbs beef lightly browned. Tobasco. Chili mix

I'll just leave this here: http://www.amazon.com/Carroll-Shelbys-Original-Texas-4-Ounce/dp/B000H23Z1C

That, plus beef, plus fire-roasted tomatoes, plus beer = awesomeness.

I've done the from-scratch stuff a bunch of times, even fire-roasting the veggies myself, and putting in grilled steak, pulled pork, etc. This Shelby's mix, plus beef, tomatoes, and beer, is still the best I've had anywhere.

Bonus: Top it with fritos, cheese, onions, and Cholula sauce for instant win.

get yourself a box of Carrol Shelby's Chili Mix and instead of the 8oz can of tomato juice, use prune juice. Also, instead of the ground beef, use your 'veggie approved' quorn or whatever.