Name: Mexican Ground Beef & Hominy Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 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.; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Diced avocado; Shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican cheese; Sliced jalapeños; Diced red onion; Lime wedges; Sour cream, optional

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

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.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6
Calories: 390 per serving