Zippy’s Chili Recipe

Chili con carne is a vastly known Asian dish usually served with a bowl of spicy rice. So, you may be a chili lover, but if you haven’t tried the famous Zippy’s chili, you’re missing out. 

Zippy’s is a widely known restaurant chain with Asian cuisine. However, the fame of their iconic chili spread far beyond Hawaii. All because it is not your typical chili.

Unfortunately, Zippy’s Chili is quite expensive either in a restaurant or as a frozen item you can purchase in a local supermarket. That said, you must try and replicate it at home since we’ve got a perfect Zippy’s Chili recipe.

How to Make Zippy’s Chili

The first question you might have at this point is 一, how special could this chili be so everyone’s talking about it? Believe us; it is unique since it works for everyone: those who love heat or mild food. 

Zippy’s Chili is not of that kind that burns your tongue off with the spice. But at the same time, it has a hint of umami to compensate for that. 

Zippy chili comprises ground beef, beans, tomato sauce, and some necessary spices. To replicate it at home, you can look up the ingredient list on one of the frozen packages at the store. 

However, we’ve been testing this Zippys Chili recipe for a while to keep it authentic and tweak the ingredients to take this chili to the next level.

Ingredients:

(4 servings)

• 4 tsp of vegetable oil
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• 1 can of Pinto beans (pureed with liquid)
• 1 can liquid canned red kidney beans
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp Minor’s beef base
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 4 minced garlic clove
• 5 ounces mild Portuguese sausage
• 1 green bell pepper 
• 4 chopped celery
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

Every time we make Zippy’s Chili, we not only try to replicate the authentic flavors of Zippy’s chili but update the recipe to make the most of the efforts. Correspondingly, we’re ready to let a few secrets slip away so you can impress everyone at the table. 

The secret weapon in this chili is Portuguese brand sauce and mayo. Surprising right? The Portuguese sauce adds exciting flavors to the chili, while mayo makes it creamy. 

However, note that sausage and mayo may vary depending on the brand. It could be spicy or mild. So choose the one that suits your palate best.

Besides, it’s important to point out the versatility of this chili regarding the cooking. You can use an instant pot, slow cooker, or stove pot. 

Enough talking; let’s get you cooking this famous chili.

Step 1: 

Take a large saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, chopped green bell pepper, celery, and a sprinkle of garlic salt. 

Let the mixture cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until the bells soften.

Step 2: 

Add 1 pound of ground beef and 5 pounds of Portuguese sausage and cook until they get brown. But make sure you put the sauces through a food processor or ground them with a blender. 

Step 3: 

Add chili powder, 1 tablespoon of oregano, and 1 tablespoon of cumin, and continue cooking. Once a pleasant fragrance develops, remove the saucepan from the stove and transfer the mixture into the pressure cooker. 

Step 4: 

Add one can of chicken broth, tomato sauce, liquid pinto beans, red kidney beans, and bay leaves. 

Stir the mixture with the spatula and cover the pressure cooker. Cook for about 30 minutes or more, depending on the cooker settings. If there is a corresponding function in your pressure cooker, cook your Hawaiian-style chili according to the instructions.

Step 5: 

Once the chili is ready, release the pressure and uncover it. Pull out the bay leaves with the soon. 

Finally, add ½ cup of mayonnaise and mix it with your chili con carne. It will make your chili extra creamy.

Step 6: 

Serve Zippy’s chili in a casserole dish with some fried rice, grilled corn, or anything else you like on the side. 

Ingredient Substitution

The big plus of Zippy’s chili is that it is very customizable. You must use the ingredients on the list to keep it original. However, you can also use some alternatives to substitute for the one you currently don’t have on hand. 

1. Pink Beans

Pink beans are a great substitute if you don’t have any red kidney beans. They are meaty, rich, and slightly powdery in texture which is perfect for this chili. 

The best part is that pink and red beans have similar soal and cook time. So you won’t even notice a swap. You can freely substitute pick beans for red beans in a 1:1 ratio. 

2. Red Wine

If you want to experiment a little, you might be surprised with what flavors red wine could add to your chili if you use it instead of a beef base. Don’t worry about the alcohol content. It will partially evaporate when cooked and won’t affect the taste of the chili.

However, using a lot of wine is not recommended since no one wants it to be like drinking a glass of wine instead of enjoying a savory Zippys chili.

3. Sour cream

Although mayonnaise is the secret weapon that adds the required creaminess to your chili, you can substitute it with more healthy alternatives like sour cream. It is a phenomenal substitute for mayo here.

It has the same creamy and tangy consistency and flavors. Besides, sour cream is light and not that unhealthy.

What to Serve with Zippy’s Chili 

If there is a dish that works well with pretty much everything, it’s Zippy’s chili. It’s tangy and flavorful enough to complement any side you decide to pair it with.

We have the best of them down below.

Cornbread

Cornbread and chili are the ultimate comfort food. Although it may seem too ordinary, it is incredibly addictive. Cornbread is moist with a delicate and crumbly texture. Plus it is versatile and super simple to make. 

A huge plus is the cornbread could be sweet, spicy, and savory. The options aren’t limited.

Baked Potato

A big warm bowl of chili with a buttery baked potato is a combination for a perfect meal. It is impossible to resist a perfect baked potato with fluffy insides and crispy skin. The dinner is not complete with them, and chili is not complete without a crispy side. 

It’s also great if you decide to top baked potato off with some chives or bacon bites. Yummy!

How to Reheat Zippy’s Chili 

Not only is Zippys Chili super easy to make. It is also surprisingly easy to reheat; you must ensure you don’t try it out.

We know the best methods that really work.

Reheat Zippy’s Chili on the Stove

A stove is the best way to reheat chili. You must put the leftover chili into a cold pan and heat it over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. You can also add a tablespoon of water or broth if the chili thickened overnight.

Reheat Zippy’s Chili in the Microwave

Place your chili in a dish that can heat up in the microwave. Reheat for 30 seconds on the internal timer until cooked; add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water or stock for additional moisture. To retain the moisture within, you can alternatively wrap the chili in plastic wrap or a wet paper towel.

Reheat Zippy’s Chili in an Oven

Preheat an oven to 350°F and transfer your chili to an oven-safe dish. Add a few tablespoons of water or stick and cover it with foil. Reheat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

How to Store Zippy’s Chili  

You will hardly have any chili left, especially if you pair it with the staples we’ve shared above. However, if you do, you must know how to store it properly.

Store Zippy’s Chili in the Fridge

Store chili in the fridge if you’re sure you can finish it within the next 3-4 days from cooking. It is a period within which chili could last in the fridge without deterioration. Store it in an airtight container with a tightly-sealed lid.

Store Zippy’s Chili in the Freezer

To store Zippy’s chili in the freezer, let it cook to room temperature first. Use thick freezer bags or airtight containers. The bags are actually the best here since they are easy to fill and easier to stack and store. The chili last in the freezer for up to 2-3- months.