Hearty Mexican Beef and Hominy Stew
Warm up with this hearty and delicious Mexican Beef and Hominy Stew. Perfect for a cool evening, this robust stew brings together tender beef chuck, colorful vegetables, and nutty hominy in a flavorful broth infused with chili and spices. A loved classic with a twist, this dish is comforting and nutritious, made to share with family or friends over lively conversation and laughter.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
boned beef chuck
2 lbs (fat-trimmed, rinsed and cut into 3/4-inch chunks)
onion
1 (peeled and chopped (8 oz.))
garlic cloves
2 (peeled and minced)
chili powder
1-2 tablespoons
ground cumin
1 teaspoon
beef broth
3 quarts (fat-skimmed)
diced tomatoes
14.5 ounces (canned)
banana squash
2 lbs (peeled and cubed into 3/4-inch pieces)
celery stalks
2 (rinsed and diagonally sliced)
diced green chilies
4 ounces (canned)
hominy
30 ounces (canned, drained and rinsed (or 4 cups frozen corn kernels))
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
sour cream
1 cup (approximately)
fresh cilantro
1 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by placing the chunks of beef chuck, chopped onion, minced garlic, and 1/2 cup of water in a large 8- to 10-quart pan. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine the flavors.
2
2. Remove the lid and increase the heat to high, letting it cook for another 10 to 20 minutes. Stir often until the juices evaporate and the meat is nicely browned.
3
3. Lower the heat to medium, add the chili powder (adjust to taste for desired spice level) and ground cumin. Stir the spices into the browned meat until they release their fragrant aroma, about 30 seconds.
4
4. Introduce the beef broth and the canned diced tomatoes with their juice to the pan. Stir well, cover, and bring the mix to a boil once more. Reduce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 1 hour, allowing the meat to become tender.
5
5. While the stew simmers, prepare your vegetables. Peel the banana squash and cut it into 3/4-inch cubes. Rinse the celery stalks and slice them diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces.
6
6. Stir the squash, celery, and canned green chilies into the simmering stew. Cover the pan once more and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Continue cooking until the meat and vegetables are tender, approximately 15 more minutes.
7
7. Add the hominy, allow the stew to return to a boil, and stir thoroughly. Skim off and discard any fat that rises to the surface. Season the stew to your taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
8
8. Serve the stew hot, directly from the pan, or transfer it to a serving tureen. Present bowls of sour cream and fresh cilantro to allow diners to garnish their servings to taste.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Mexican Beef and Hominy Stew?
It is a robust and comforting stew featuring tender beef chuck, banana squash, celery, and nutty hominy in a broth seasoned with chili powder and cumin.
How many servings does this beef stew recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to make 12 servings.
What cut of beef is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 2 pounds of fat-trimmed beef chuck, cut into 3/4-inch chunks.
What size pan is required for this stew?
You will need a large 8- to 10-quart pan to accommodate all the ingredients.
How do I brown the meat for the stew?
After simmering the beef in a small amount of water for 15 minutes, increase the heat to high and stir until the juices evaporate and the meat is nicely browned.
What spices are used to flavor the broth?
The stew is flavored with 1-2 tablespoons of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
How much beef broth is needed?
The recipe calls for 3 quarts of fat-skimmed beef broth.
What type of squash is recommended for this Mexican stew?
Banana squash is the recommended variety for this recipe.
How should the banana squash be prepared?
The squash should be peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes.
Can I substitute the hominy?
Yes, you can substitute the 30 ounces of canned hominy with 4 cups of frozen corn kernels if preferred.
How do I prepare the hominy if using the canned version?
Canned hominy should be drained and rinsed before being added to the stew.
When should the vegetables be added to the pot?
Add the squash, celery, and canned green chilies after the beef has simmered in the broth for about 1 hour.
How long do the vegetables need to cook?
The vegetables should be simmered for approximately 15 minutes or until both the meat and vegetables are tender.
Should I include the juice from the canned tomatoes?
Yes, add the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice to the pan.
What are the suggested garnishes for this dish?
The stew is traditionally served with sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro for garnish.
How do I handle excess fat in the stew?
Before serving, you should skim off and discard any fat that rises to the surface of the stew.
How is the celery prepared for this recipe?
The celery stalks should be rinsed and sliced diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces.
Do I need to peel the garlic?
Yes, use 2 garlic cloves that have been peeled and minced.
Is the onion added at the beginning or the end?
The onion is added at the very beginning with the beef and garlic to simmer.
How much chili powder should I add?
Use between 1 and 2 tablespoons, depending on your preferred level of spice.
What is the total simmering time for the beef?
The beef simmers for about 1 hour alone in the broth, plus an additional 15 minutes once the vegetables are added.
Can I serve this stew in a tureen?
Yes, you can serve it hot directly from the pan or transfer it to a serving tureen.
Are the green chilies used in this recipe fresh?
No, the recipe calls for one 4-ounce can of diced green chilies.
What is the purpose of adding water in the first step?
The 1/2 cup of water helps to initially simmer and combine the flavors of the beef, onion, and garlic before browning.
How much fresh cilantro is needed?
The recipe suggests using about 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro.
Should I use fat-skimmed broth?
Yes, using fat-skimmed beef broth helps manage the overall fat content of the stew.
When do I add the hominy?
The hominy is added in the final cooking stage, just after the vegetables have become tender.
How much sour cream is recommended?
Approximately 1 cup of sour cream should be provided for diners to garnish their bowls.
Do I need to rinse the beef?
The recipe suggests the beef chuck should be fat-trimmed, rinsed, and cut into chunks.
When is the best time to season with salt and pepper?
Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste at the very end, after the hominy has been stirred in.