My childhood in Hawaii consisted of many bowls of chili and rice from Zippy’s. So after moving to Washington, perfecting a Zippy’s copycat chili was key for my well-being. 

Cooking chili is like setting legal department goals—hear me out. Following the goal framework shared during the In-House Connect webinar on January 12, 2023:

  • Goal: Delicious chili 
  • The why: Feed our family delicious food that meets their allergy restrictions
  • Owner: Jessica
  • Reviewers and Stakeholders: Jessica’s family
  • Do-ers: Jessica for the chopping, browning of beef, and opening of cans; kids help with measuring dry ingredients, stirring, and pureeing the pinto beans.
  • Dependencies: Having all of the ingredients on hand 
  • Deadline: 6pm dinner once per week 
  • Metrics of success: Volume of chili consumed by children, Speed of consumption

As a a thanks for attending the webinar, here's my recipe that reminds me of Hawaii.

Jessica's Hawaiian chili recipe

Zippy’s Copycat Chili

Jessica Nguyen

Ingredients: 

  • 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 2 pound lean ground beef (71% beef or more)
  • 1 onion very finely chopped
  • 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, pureed with liquid but make sure the consistency is creamy and somewhat thick 
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans with liquid
  • 4 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoon beef base (Minor's Better Than Bouillon) 
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions:  

  1. Heat about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and brown the ground beef; break up beef into its smallest components. Pour into a bowl and reserve. 
  2. Heat remaining vegetable oil and fry onion over medium heat until limp and golden. 
  3. Transfer beef to pot, along with tomato sauce, pinto beans, red kidney beans (with liquid), chili powder, beef base, brown sugar, and garlic salt. 
  4. Puree pinto beans and then add to pot. 
  5. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to medium-low and simmer (uncovered) for about 15-20 minutes until the chili is creamy and the pureed pinto beans have fully integrated.
  6. Serve over rice.