Easy Chili

📝 Eirian Huang

Updated 11/13/2025

The best way to combat Ithaca fall and winter is with a nice hearty bowl of chili. This recipe makes a few swaps to make things easier and freezes well. Omitting the meat yields a hearty vegetarian chili.

Ingredients

  • 2-3 cloves of garlic, diced 
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 jalapeno, diced (optional) 
  • 1 pack Trader Joe’s soy chorizo 
  • 1 lb. ground beef or turkey (can skip or sub sweet potato or tofu) 
  • 2 cans of beans, drained (I use black and kidney) 
  • 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce 
  • 1 14 oz. can diced or crushed tomatoes 
  • 1 6 oz. can tomato paste 
  • 2 cups preferred stock or water 
  • 1 packet taco or chili seasoning  

Instructions

  1. Saute diced garlic, onion, and jalapeno in a large pot.
  2. Add meat and tomato paste. Saute meat with tomato paste until color deepens.
  3. Add seasonings and stock, then add the rest of the canned goods. Bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for ~30 minutes until preferred thickness, adding water or stock as needed.
  4. Serve with sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips! 
Try something different
Apple cider illustration

Easy Apple Cider Cocktails (Hot and Cold)

Drink

With apples aplenty here in Ithaca and upstate New York, discover new apple cider cocktails that are perfect for both the hot summers and cold, snowy winters.

Vegan cauliflower curry

Vegan Cauliflower Curry

Vegan | Entrée

Flavorful, healthy, and delicious. What’s not to love about this nutrient-packed dish?

Glasses of cranberry aperol spritz

Cranberry Aperol Spritz

Drink

The perfect party cocktail that looks like the sunset in the Libe Slope! Citrusy, bubbly, refreshing...this version of the Aperol Spritz goes well with summer barbeques, holiday parties...you name it! The cranberry juice adds just the right amount of tartness and color to the drink.