Emma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking stories
updated Dec 6, 2022
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Once you’ve had hominy, you’re not likely to forget it. These big, puffy kernels of corn have a chewy consistency and unique flavor, thanks to a special processing technique.
If you’re wondering what hominy is and how to use it, rest assured, the opportunities are nearly endless. Hominy is a versatile ingredient, equally suited to salads, soups, and more.
If you’re eager to cook with hominy more often, or are hungry for new ways to use it, this guide has you covered.
What Is Hominy?
Hominy is made from whole corn kernels that have been soaked in a lye or lime solution to soften the tough outer hulls, which are then removed. After soaking, the kernels are washed to remove the excess solution, the hull, and often the germ.
You can find ready-to-eat hominy in cans, but we prefer the texture and flavor we get when we cook dried hominy ourselves. To prepare dried hominy, cook it exactly as you would dried beans.
Should You Soak Dried Hominy Before Using It?
Yes! Soak dried hominy in water overnight before cooking it, so it starts rehydrating. After soaking, it can finish cooking in the more flavorful liquid in a stew or soup until tender.
You can also cook the dried hominy in salted water until tender, and then use it in recipes that call for precooked, canned hominy.
How Do You Use Hominy?
Hominy is also sometimes cracked to make samp, coarsely ground into grits, or very finely ground to make masa flour. In these other forms, hominy is used as a thickener for stew, to make tortillas and tamales, or as a dish all on its own. But right now we’re interested in whole hominy — check out these delicious ways to enjoy it:
Pozole
Hominy is the main ingredient in pozole, a traditional Mexican soup that also features tender pork or chicken. Hominy is typically simmered until it becomes chewy and fluffy, helping to form the base for this rich, hearty soup. Try these pozole recipes to get a taste of hominy in this classic dish:
- Traditional: Mexican Red Pork Soup with Hominy (Pozole Rojo)
- Weeknight-friendly: Instant Pot Pozole
- Hands-free and easy: Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole
- Perfect with a fried egg: Vegetarian Breakfast Pozole
Salads
Hominy adds a mellow corn flavor and chewy texture to salads. It pairs well with ingredients like black beans, avocado, radishes, and cilantro. Take it to the next level in Popped Hominy Salad with Fresh Corn and Basil, where hominy is toasted in a cast-iron skillet until it pops (like popcorn!) and turns slightly golden.
Other Ways to Enjoy Hominy
In many recipes, canned hominy can be substituted for canned sweet corn to add complex flavor and texture. Try it in your favorite cornbread or chili recipe, or bake it into a cheesy casserole like Slow Cooker Hominy Squash Casserole.
