Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey through the streets of Cincinnati with the ultimate comfort food that will make your taste buds dance! The Cincinnati Chili and Cheese Coney is not just a hot dog - it's a culinary experience that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary flavor explosion. Imagine a perfectly toasted bun, loaded with a juicy hot dog, smothered in a rich, spice-packed chili and crowned with melting cheddar cheese and crisp onions. This isn't just a recipe; it's a delicious adventure that brings the heart of Midwestern street food right to your kitchen!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 can tomato sauce
- Hot dog buns
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped onions for topping
Instructions
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into fine crumbles as it cooks.
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle chili powder and cumin over the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly and toast them slightly.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, stirring to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the chili simmers, prepare the hot dog buns by lightly toasting them to add a crisp texture.
- Place hot dogs in the toasted buns and generously ladle the Cincinnati-style chili over each hot dog.
- Top each chili dog with a liberal amount of shredded cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt slightly from the heat of the chili.
- Sprinkle chopped raw onions over the top of each coney for added crunch and flavor.
- Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by napkins as these can be deliciously messy to eat.
Tips
- Use high-quality ground beef with a bit of fat content for maximum flavor and moisture.
- Take time to break the ground beef into very fine crumbles while cooking for the most authentic texture.
- Toast your spices (chili powder and cumin) briefly to enhance their depth of flavor.
- Let the chili simmer low and slow - patience is key to developing rich, complex tastes.
- Choose a sturdy hot dog bun that can handle the generous chili topping.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best melting quality.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect temperature and texture contrast.
- Keep extra napkins handy - these coneys are gloriously messy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 110mg
