Hawaiian Chili - Zippy's Inspired Chili Recipe (2024)

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Jazz up your summer hots dogs with this delicious Hawaiian Chili, which was inspired by the famous Zippy’s Restaurant Chili in Hawaii.

What is Zippy’s Chili

Zippy’s is a famous restaurant in Hawaii that serves a variety of local favorites. It’s similar to a Denny’s, but with a Hawaii-style flavor. And one of the menu items they are famous for is the Zippy’s Chili. It’s well known in Hawaii and even comes in a vegetarian version. Of course, it’s not the typical chili. It uses Portuguese sausage, bell peppers, and the secret weapon…mayo!

Hawaiian Chili Recipe

You may think of Chili as a fall or winter food, but in California it’s a summer food. If not for the virus situation, there would have been a bunch of chili cooks off in California starting in May through June. Hopefully, we’ll all be able to be out and about in 2021.

One of the reasons I wanted to make this chili is because my hubby’s mom used to work at Zippy’s and he loves the chili. Since we don’t live in Hawaii anymore, we have to buy frozen Zippy’s chili at our local Asian mart and it’s pretty expensive for a small box that feeds two people. So, without further ado, let’s get to the recipe!

Hawaiian Chili Ingredients

Ground beef – I use one pound of 80/20 ground beef.
Mild Portuguese sausage – Can be substituted with hot Portuguese sausage for heat, but this isn’t typical.
Bacon – Use thick cut or 5 – 6 slices of regular bacon.
Vegetables – Celery, Onion, & Bell pepper (don’t skip this)
Spices – Cumin, Oregano, Paprika, Bay leaf, and salt/peper
Bush’s Best Chili Beans with Mild Chili Sauce or substitute with your favorite Chili Beans
Kidney beans, undrained
Tomato sauce – Will need two 8 ounce cans or one 16 oz. can.
Powdered chicken stock
Water
Brown sugar – Will add a bit of sweetness to the chili
Worcestershire sauce
Ketchup or Heinz Chili Sauce
Red wine vinegar (optional)
Mayonnaise– secret ingredient

Kitchen Tools

Large pot – Should be big enough to make a large serving of chili.
Cutting board/knife or food processor – To dice and cut the vegetables
Meat masher or potato masher – Used to break up hamburger and create a smooth chili texture that is similar to Zippy’s Chili.
Spoon – Mixing and serving.
Measuring cups/spoons
Can opener

What to serve with Zippy’s Chili

In Hawaii, Zippy’s chili is usually served with rice. The chili already has vegetables and protein, so there isn’t anything else that needs to be served. But if you want to have a side, I suggest trying it with Hawaiian loaded macaroni salad and possibly a Fruit Jello Mold for dessert.

How to Make Zippy’s Chili

Yield: 8 - 10 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1 - 10 oz. mild Portuguese sausage, finely chopped
3 slices thick bacon, thinly sliced
1 cup celery, finely chopped
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped
2 T. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 16oz can Bush's Best Chili Beans with Mild Chili Sauce, substitute with your favorite Chili Beans (undrained)
1 15.5oz. can kidney beans, undrained
2 8oz. cans tomato sauce
1 tsp. powdered chicken stock
1/2 - 1 cup water, add more water for a looser soup
1 bay leaf
1/2 to 1 tsp. brown sugar, to taste
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. ketchup or Heinz Chili Sauce
1 tsp. red wine vinegar (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
2 - 3 T. mayonnaise

Instructions

Prep all the ingredients before starting. Note: a food processor can be used to make prepping faster. Make sure to remove sausage casing before pulsing into hamburger sized bits.
In a large pot over medium high heat, brown hamburger. Use a potato masher or meat masher to break the meat into fine pieces. There shouldn't be any large chunks. Drain the meat. Return pot to the heat and add Portuguese sausage and bacon. Cook just until both the sausage and bacon are heated through. If there is an excess of oil, drain. Otherwise, the oil can be used to flavor the vegetables.
Add the celery, onions, and bell peppers to the pot. Cook until onions become translucent.
Lower the heat to medium. Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, and paprika. Cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add in all remaining ingredients, except for the mayonnaise, into the pot. Heat for 10 minutes, occassionally stirring. Lower the heat to medium low, and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
Do not skip this - Right before serving, add in the mayonnaise and serve over rice.

Notes

Serving sizes are with the addition of rice.
Do not skip the mayonnaise or Portuguese sausage. These add the unique Zippy's chili flavor. Mild Portuguese sausage can be substituted with hot if you prefer more heat.

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