What is Hominy?

What is hominy? First, for now I want to distinguish between hominy and hominy grits. Many recipes will call ground dried hominy or grits as hominy or hominy grits. I have separated the grits from hominy and posted my information and recipes on a separate page. The reason is because I have so many recipes for both grits and hominy. Although grits are made from hominy, the taste and recipes are very different. Grits are more like a ground grain or cereal and looks similar to cornmeal. I refer to what I call “whole” hominy as a vegetable similar to corn.

What is Hominy?What is Hominy?

What is hominy? I always refer to hominy as puffy corn kernels. Hominy is made with “field” corn or as we always called it “hog” corn. This corn is firmer and dryer than regular sweet corn. When it first fills out on the corn stalk, it is very good to eat. Some like the flavor better than what is normally thought to be our sweet corn. When this corn is ready for the machines to pick for the animals, it is very hard. The animals love it but humans do not at this point.

What is hominy and how to purchase it? Hominy is prepared by removing the hull and germ from the kernels. This is done by soaking hard corn kernels in a weak solution of lye or alkaline solutions. I have never made hominy myself so I cannot guide you to doing so. It is just so easy to purchase it in cans. Those who do make it might tell you the homemade is better but I do not know.

What is hominy in our diet? Hominy was once a staple food in our early American colonies. Today, hominy recipes in this country are mostly cooked throughout our Southern United States. Hominy recipes are known to be very important in the diet of the Central and South American countries. For this reason, you can find it in cans on the shelves of your supermarket in those international sections. Although hominy is popular in those Latin American countries and our South, Mom always included it in our diet when I grew up in Ohio.

What is hominy when considering the nutrition in our diet? Hominy, like corn is high in carbohydrates (80% for each cup) therefore in calories. There are some small amounts of nutrients like fiber and protein also. Because the amount of carbohydrates, I do not serve corn or hominy too often. Sometimes the taste is worth it regardless of the carbohydrates and it certainly is much better for you than sugared sweets.

What is hominy and how to cook hominy? This is another reason I like to separate hominy from hominy grits. Learning how to cook hominy is quite different from cooking the ground hominy or “grits”. When making hominy recipes, it is like cooking a vegetable which is what it is. Hominy recipes include many casserole dishes which are baked in the oven. Other recipes like fried hominy, stews and one pot meals can be cooked on the stove top. Hominy is delicious when combined with chicken, cuts of beef or all kinds of pork. When the hominy kernels are cooked a long time, they become like soft dumplings so imagine them with various seasonings.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER HOMINY

South of the Border HominySouth of the Border Hominy
South of the Border HominySouth of the Border Hominy

What is hominy with south of the border flavor?

  • 4 Slices bacon
  • 1 Medium chopped onion
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • 2 Cans (16 Ounces) hominy (Drained)
  • 1 Tablespoon flour
  • 2 Large tomatoes (Peel and chop)
  • 1 Cup shredded Cheddar cheese (Divided)
  • 1 Teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ Cup minced fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease 1 ½ to 2 quart casserole dish.
Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove to plate.
Drain bacon grease leaving 2 tablespoons in skillet.
Crumble bacon and set aside.
Add onion, garlic and hominy to the skillet; sauté until onion is tender.
NOTE: Cook about 3 minutes and remove from heat.
Combine bacon, flour and tomatoes in a large bowl.
Stir bacon mixture into the hominy mixture.
Stir in ¾ CUP of the cheese, chili powder, salt, pepper and cilantro.
Spoon into prepared baking dish; bake 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle top with remaining ¼ CUP cheese.
Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese melts; serve 6.

BAKED HOMINY WITH CHEESE

Baked Hominy with CheeseBaked Hominy with Cheese

What is hominy when baked with cheese and green chilies?

  • 2 Cans (16 Ounces) hominy (Drained)
  • 1 Cup chopped green bell pepper
  • ½ Cup chopped onion
  • 1 Can (4.5 Ounces) diced green chilies (Drained)
  • 1 Cup grated Cheddar cheese
  • 1 Cup heavy cream
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 Slices heavy bread (Like sour dough; crumble)
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter

Preheat oven to 375F degrees; butter 1 quart casserole baking dish.
Combine hominy, green pepper, onion and green chilies in large bowl.
Add Cheddar cheese, cream, eggs, salt and pepper; stir until blended.
Turn mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Combine in small bowl the butter and bread crumbs; toss to coat.
Top hominy mixture with the crumb mixture; bake 25 to 30 minutes.
NOTE: Crumb mixture on top should be browned.
Makes about 6 cups.

HOMINY PIE RECIPE

What is hominy when making pies?

  • 2 Tablespoon bacon grease or other fat (Divided)
  • 1 ½ Pounds ground beef
  • 1 Tablespoon flour
  • 2 Cups canned tomatoes
  • Salt/ pepper to taste
  • 1 Teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 ½ Cups hominy
  • 1 Medium onion (Peel and chop)
  • ¼ Pound grated American cheese

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease 2 quart casserole baking dish.
Melt 1 TABLESPOON bacon grease in large skillet over medium high heat.
Add meat to the skillet; stir and cook until browned.
Stir in the flour, tomatoes, salt, pepper and chili powder.
Spoon mixture from skillet to plate or dish.
Melt remaining 1 TABLESPOON bacon grease in skillet.
Add hominy and onion; cook until browned.
Add meat back into skillet with hominy and onion.
Place mixture in prepared casserole baking dish.
Sprinkle top with the grated cheese; bake 30 minutes.
Serves 6.

MEXICAN HOMINY RECIPE

What is hominy when making Mexican recipes?

  • 1 Can (16 Ounces) yellow hominy (NOT drained)
  • 1 Can (10.5 Ounces) cream of chicken soup (NOT diluted)
  • 1 Can (4.5 Ounces) chopped green chilies (Drained)
  • 1 Cup processed cheese (Cubed)

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; butter 1 quart casserole baking dish.
Combine hominy, soup, chilies and cheese in mixing bowl.
Spread mixture in prepared casserole dish.
Cover and bake for 30 minutes; stir and bake 20 minutes longer.
Remove cover and bake additional 10 minutes; serves 6.

HOMINY AND CHILI CASSEROLE RECIPE

What is hominy when making chili casserole?

  • 4 Tablespoons butter (Divided)
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 1 Can (16 Ounces) hominy (Drained)
  • 1 Can (16 Ounces) whole kernel corn (Drained)
  • 2 Tablespoons grated onion
  • 4 Cans (4.5 Ounces each) diced green chilies (Drained)
  • 1 Cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • Salt/ pepper to taste
  • ¼ Cup dry bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease 11/2 quart casserole baking dish.
Melt 2 TABLESPOONS butter in large skillet; stir in flour.
Gradually stir in the milk; stir until smooth and thickened.
Stir hominy and corn into the creamed mixture.
Stir in the onion, cheese and chilies; season with salt and pepper.
Dump mixture into prepared casserole dish; top with bread crumbs.
Dot top with remaining 2 TABLESPOONS of butter; bake for 30 minutes.
Serves 8.

HOMINY TURKEY CASSEROLE RECIPE

What is hominy when cooked with turkey?

  • 1 Can (10.5) ounces cream of mushroom soup (NOT diluted)
  • ½ Cup sour cream
  • 2 Tablespoons diced pimiento
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 ½ Cups canned hominy
  • 2 ½ Cups cooked sliced turkey (or chicken)
  • 1 Cup soft bread crumbs
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped cashews
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease a 9X13 inch casserole baking dish.
Combine in a saucepan the soup, sour cream, pimiento and Worcestershire.
Stir in salt and cayenne; heat slowly over medium low heat.
Drain hominy and place in prepared casserole dish; spread turkey over top.
Pour the hot sauce mixture over the turkey.
In small bowl combine crumbs, butter and nuts; sprinkle over the top.
Bake for 30 minutes; serves 6.

POSOLE STEW RECIPE

What is hominy in this famous holiday recipe from our southern border area?

  • 2 Pounds pork shoulder
  • 3 ½ Cups beef broth
  • 3 Cups water
  • 2 Medium onions (Slice 1; chop 1)
  • 5 Cloves garlic (Mince 3; 2 whole)
  • 1 Teaspoon oregano
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 Cans (16 Ounces) hominy (Drain)
  • 3 Cups chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 1 Can (4.5 Ounces) chopped green chilies (Drain)
  • 1 Cup chopped fresh coriander (Or 4 tablespoons dried)
  • 1 Medium green bell pepper (Chop coarsely)
  • Garnish: Shredded lettuce, sliced radishes, diced avocado, lime juice.

Combine in saucepan the pork, broth, water and SLICED onion.
Add the 2 WHOLE garlic, oregano and salt.
Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat.
REDUCE HEAT to medium low, cover and simmer for 2 hours.
Remove meat from the pan; strain the mixture reserving the liquid.
Discard the vegetables; skim fat from the broth.
Cut the meat into ½ inch cubes; set aside.
Heat the olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium high heat.
Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté about 10 minutes until tender.
Add the cubed pork to the Dutch oven and chili powder.
Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes; add reserved pork liquid, hominy and tomatoes.
Add green chilies and coriander to the pot; REDUCE HEAT to medium low.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes; add bell pepper and simmer 15 minutes.
Serve with garnishes on the side; serves 8.

HOMINY AND SAUSAGE MEATBALLS

What is hominy when cooked with sausage?

  • 1 Pound bulk sausage
  • ½ Cup fine dry breadcrumbs
  • 2/3 Cup canned evaporated milk
  • 1 ¼ Teaspoon dry sage (Divided)
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ¼ Cup flour
  • 2 Cans (16 Ounces each) tomatoes
  • 1 Can (20 Ounces) hominy (Drain)
  • 1 Teaspoon salt

Combine sausage, crumbs, milk and 1 TEASPOON sage.
Mix well and shape into 16 balls; coat balls with flour (Save remaining flour).
Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium low heat.
Brown meatballs on all sides; remove to warm platter.
Remove all but 3 tablespoons of fat from Dutch oven.
Stir into pan the remaining flour, tomatoes and hominy.
Season with salt and ¼ TEASPOON sage; stir to blend.
Return the meatballs to the Dutch oven.
Cover and cook over low heat 15 minutes or until thickened.
Keep warm until ready to serve; serves 6.

PORK CHOPS AND HOMINY RECIPE

What is hominy when cooked with pork chops?

  • 2 Tablespoons cooking oil
  • 4 Pork chops (3/4 Inches thick)
  • ½ Cup flour
  • Salt/ pepper
  • 1 Medium onion (Sliced)
  • 2 Cloves minced garlic
  • 2 Cups canned hominy (Drained)

Season pork chops with salt and pepper; coat with flour.
Heat oil in a large heavy skillet; brown slowly in hot oil on both sides.
NOTE: Chops should be thoroughly cooked.
Remove chops to platter; add onion and garlic to skillet.
Cook until onion is tender but not brown; add hominy.
Mix the hominy, onion and garlic; arrange chops on top of the hominy.
Sprinkle mixture with salt and pepper; cover and heat over low for 5 minutes.
Serves 4.

HOMINY CORN AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

What is hominy when serving as a side dish?

  • 3 Cans (16 Ounces) hominy (Drain)
  • 2 Cans (11 Ounces each) corn (Drain)
  • ! Can (4.5 Ounces) chopped green chilies (Drain)
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ Teaspoon white pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Cup sour cream
  • 1 ½ Cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 ½ Cups shredded American cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon paprika

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease 11X7 inch baking dish.
Combine hominy and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl.
Spoon half of mixture into prepared baking dish.
Combine cheeses in a bowl; sprinkle half over hominy in dish.
Spoon remaining hominy mixture in the baking dish.
Cover and bake 35 minutes; sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Sprinkle top with paprika; bake uncovered 5 minutes until cheese melts.
Serves 8 to 10.

WHAT IS HOMINY CASSEROLE RECIPE

What is hominy?

  • 3 Cans (16 Ounces) white hominy (Drain)
  • 1 Carton (8 Ounces) reduced fat sour cream
  • 1 Can (4.5 Ounces) chopped green chilies (NOT drained)
  • 2 Cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Combine all ingredients in large bowl.
Spoon into 1 quart baking dish.
Bake 25 minutes; serves 6.