Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew

This Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew is hearty, savory, comforting, and packed with bold Southwestern-inspired flavor. 🌽🥩🌶️ Seasoned ground beef simmers with tender hominy, black beans, tomatoes, green chiles, and warm spices in a rich beef broth for an easy one-pot dinner that’s satisfying enough for the whole family.

Hominy is what makes this stew especially delicious. Its tender, slightly chewy texture and distinctive corn flavor pair beautifully with seasoned ground beef, smoky paprika, cumin, chili powder, tomatoes, and green chiles. Black beans make the stew even heartier, while a splash of fresh lime juice at the end brightens all those deep, savory flavors.

Everything cooks in one pot, making this a convenient option for busy weeknights as well as cozy weekend dinners. Browning the beef first builds a flavorful base, and briefly cooking the tomato paste and spices before adding the broth gives the finished stew even more depth.

Pile each bowl high with cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese, jalapeños, red onion, and sour cream, then serve with warm tortillas, cornbread, tortilla chips, and fresh lime wedges.

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew

Hearty and satisfying. Ground beef, hominy, and black beans make this a substantial one-pot meal.

Packed with bold flavor. Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic, green chiles, and tomatoes create a deeply savory broth.

Easy one-pot dinner. Everything comes together in a single Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot.

Ready in under an hour. You can have a warm, filling dinner on the table in approximately 55 minutes.

Loaded with texture. Tender hominy, creamy black beans, ground beef, and tomatoes make every spoonful interesting.

Customizable heat. Cayenne and sliced jalapeños make it easy to add more spice if desired.

Perfect for toppings. Avocado, cheese, cilantro, red onion, sour cream, and lime turn each bowl into a complete meal.

Great for leftovers. The stew keeps well in the refrigerator and can also be frozen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this hearty ground beef and hominy stew.

• 1 lb ground beef — Creates the rich, savory foundation of the stew.
• 1 tbsp olive oil — Used for browning the beef and building the flavor base.
• 1 small yellow onion, diced — Adds sweetness and aromatic depth.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced — Provides fresh savory garlic flavor.
• 1 can (15 oz) yellow or white hominy, drained and rinsed — Adds hearty corn flavor and a distinctive tender, chewy texture.
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed — Make the stew more substantial and add a creamy contrast to the hominy.
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes — Add acidity, texture, and tomato flavor to the broth.
• 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles — Bring mild chile flavor and Southwestern character.
• 4 cups beef broth — Forms the savory liquid base of the stew.
• 2 tbsp tomato paste — Concentrates the tomato flavor and helps give the broth additional body.
• 1 tbsp chili powder — Adds warm chile flavor.
• 2 tsp ground cumin — Provides earthy depth that pairs especially well with beef and beans.
• 1 tsp smoked paprika — Adds smoky warmth.
• 1 tsp dried oregano — Brings a savory herbal note.
• ½ tsp garlic powder — Reinforces the fresh garlic flavor.
• ½ tsp onion powder — Adds another layer of savory onion flavor.
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, optional — Adds additional heat if desired.
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste — Enhances all the flavors in the stew.
• ½ tsp black pepper — Adds mild peppery warmth.
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice — Brightens the rich stew just before serving.

For Topping

• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Diced avocado
• Shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese
• Sliced jalapeños
• Diced red onion
• Lime wedges
• Sour cream, optional

How to Make Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew

This comforting stew comes together in one pot with a straightforward cooking process.

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.

Continue cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked.

Drain excess grease if necessary.

Step 2: Cook the Onion

Add the diced yellow onion directly to the browned beef.

Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened.

Step 3: Add the Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic.

Cook for approximately 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Avoid cooking the garlic too long at this stage so it doesn’t burn.

Step 4: Toast the Tomato Paste and Spices

Add the tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, optional cayenne, salt, and black pepper.

Stir everything thoroughly into the beef.

Cook for approximately 1 minute.

Briefly cooking the tomato paste and spices helps deepen their flavors before the liquid is added.

Step 5: Add the Broth and Tomatoes

Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes.

Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any flavorful browned bits.

Step 6: Add the Hominy, Beans, and Green Chiles

Stir in the drained and rinsed hominy and black beans.

Add the diced green chiles and mix until everything is evenly combined.

Step 7: Simmer the Stew

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot.

Simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

During this time, the flavors will blend and the broth will begin to thicken slightly.

Step 8: Adjust the Consistency

If you prefer a thicker stew, remove the lid and continue simmering for another 5–10 minutes.

This allows some of the excess liquid to evaporate naturally.

Step 9: Finish with Lime

Remove the stew from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice.

Taste and adjust the salt, black pepper, or cayenne as desired.

Step 10: Add Your Favorite Toppings

Ladle the hot stew into individual bowls.

Top with chopped cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, diced red onion, and sour cream if desired.

Serve immediately with lime wedges and your favorite sides.

How to Serve Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew

This hearty stew is filling on its own, but toppings and sides make it even better.

• With warm tortillas — Use flour or corn tortillas for dipping into the flavorful broth.
• With tortilla chips — Add crunchy tortilla chips alongside each bowl or crumble them over the top.
• With cornbread — The slightly sweet corn flavor pairs especially well with hominy and chile.
• With avocado — Creamy avocado balances the smoky spices.
• With shredded cheese — Monterey Jack or Mexican-style cheese melts beautifully over the hot stew.
• With jalapeños — Add fresh sliced jalapeños for additional heat.
• With fresh cilantro — A generous sprinkle provides a fresh herbal finish.
• With red onion — Diced red onion adds fresh crunch and sharpness.
• With sour cream — A spoonful adds cool creaminess to each bowl.
• With lime wedges — An extra squeeze of lime brightens the rich beef broth.

Tips for the Best Ground Beef & Hominy Stew

Brown the beef well. Browning develops savory flavor before the other ingredients are added.

Drain excess grease if necessary. The amount will depend on the fat content of your ground beef.

Toast the spices briefly. Cooking them for about a minute helps bring out their aroma and flavor.

Cook the tomato paste with the spices. This helps deepen its flavor rather than simply stirring it into the broth.

Drain and rinse the hominy. This removes the canning liquid before it goes into the stew.

Drain and rinse the black beans too. This keeps the broth cleaner and gives you more control over its consistency.

Simmer gently. Once the stew reaches a boil, reduce the heat so the ingredients can slowly develop flavor.

Leave the lid off for a thicker stew. An additional 5–10 minutes of uncovered simmering will reduce the broth.

Add lime at the end. Fresh lime juice tastes brightest when stirred in just before serving.

Taste before adding more salt. Beef broth, canned ingredients, and cheese toppings can all contribute additional salt.

Storage Information

Allow leftover Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm a larger portion gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

If the stew becomes thicker during refrigeration, add a small splash of beef broth or water while reheating until it reaches your preferred consistency.

For longer storage, transfer cooled portions to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

For the best results, store fresh toppings such as avocado, cilantro, sour cream, cheese, red onion, and lime separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hominy?

Hominy is corn that has undergone a traditional alkaline treatment called nixtamalization. It has larger, softer kernels and a distinctive corn flavor and chewy-tender texture.

Can I use white or yellow hominy?

Yes. Either yellow or white canned hominy works in this recipe.

Should I drain the hominy first?

Yes. Drain and rinse the canned hominy before adding it to the stew.

Are the black beans drained too?

Yes. Drain and rinse the black beans before adding them.

Is this stew spicy?

The green chiles and chili powder provide chile flavor, while the optional cayenne and jalapeño toppings can increase the heat. You can adjust those according to your preference.

Why should I cook the spices before adding the broth?

Briefly heating the spices in the beef mixture helps release their aromas and creates a deeper flavor in the finished stew.

How can I make the stew thicker?

Remove the lid and allow the stew to simmer for an additional 5–10 minutes so some of the liquid evaporates.

Can I make this stew ahead of time?

Yes. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it convenient for meal prep.

What toppings are best for this stew?

Cilantro, diced avocado, shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese, sliced jalapeños, diced red onion, sour cream, and fresh lime all work well.

What should I serve with Ground Beef & Hominy Stew?

Warm tortillas, tortilla chips, and cornbread are all excellent choices.

Can I freeze this stew?

Yes. Cool the stew completely and freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: ~390 per serving

This Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew brings together seasoned ground beef, tender hominy, creamy black beans, tomatoes, green chiles, and smoky spices in one hearty pot. 🌽🥩🌶️ A splash of fresh lime at the end adds brightness to the rich, savory broth and brings all the flavors together.

Serve each steaming bowl with plenty of cilantro, avocado, shredded cheese, jalapeños, red onion, and sour cream, then add warm tortillas, cornbread, or crunchy tortilla chips on the side for an easy, comforting family dinner.

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