Game Day or Any Day: Chili That Warms You Up

By Tamar Rothenberg, MS, RDN; Author, Cancer Diet for the Newly Diagnosed

Winter meal prep just got a little easier with this Game Day Chili. It’s easy to forget about that can of beans or tomatoes in your pantry, but shelf-stable ingredients are affordable, long-lasting, and perfect for reducing food waste.

This high-protein and veggie-packed chili gets better with time, so make a big batch, enjoy it throughout the week, and freeze leftovers for later. Not a football fan? This chili wins every time, no touchdowns required.

Game Day Chili

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 sweet onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground turkey or meatless alternative

2 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 zucchini, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. Prep: Chop onion, zucchini, carrots, and red pepper. Mince garlic. Drain and rinse kidney beans.
2. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft and fragrant. Add turkey and cook for 3 more minutes.
3. Stir in cumin and chili powder to coat the turkey and vegetables.
4. Add zucchini, carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes, and enough broth to just cover the vegetables.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Stir in kidney beans and simmer for another 2 minutes.
7. Serve hot, topped with cilantro and hot sauce (if using).

Tip: Keep canned tomatoes, beans, and broth in your pantry rotation. These three ingredients form the base of countless cold-weather meals.

Tamar Rothenberg, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian who specializes in breast and ovarian cancer in her private practice in Los Angeles. She has a Certificate of Training in Vegetarian Nutrition and Herbal Formulations in Cancer Care; and co-led the clinical study, Coping with Cancer in the Kitchen, published in Nutrients. Tamar lends her expertise to Sharsheret Thrivers through nutrition education. Check out Tamar’s other recipes in her book, Cancer Diet for the Newly Diagnosed: An Integrative Guide and Cookbook for Treatment and Recovery. Visit Tamar’s website at https://www.tamarrothenbergrd.com/ for more information.

This recipe was submitted by the non-profit organization, Sharsheret: The Jewish Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Community. If you or someone you love has been impacted by breast or ovarian cancer or has elevated genetic risk, contact Sharsheret for free support and resources. For more information, visit sharsheret.org or call (866) 474-2774.