South Texas Chili con Carne with Hominy
A hearty chili featuring slow-simmered beef, hominy, and a blend of regional spices reflecting South Texas flavors. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 75 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned hominy
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small, seeded and minced jalapeño pepper
- 6, warmed for serving corn tortillas
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and 1 small minced jalapeño pepper to the pot. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking the meat apart until browned and no pink remains.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, and 1 can (15 oz) drained hominy. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to meld flavors and thicken.
- Step 5: Serve the chili hot with 6 warmed corn tortillas on the side for dipping or scooping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does South Texas Chili con Carne with Hominy take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover South Texas Chili con Carne with Hominy?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in South Texas Chili con Carne with Hominy?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale South Texas Chili con Carne with Hominy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with South Texas Chili con Carne with Hominy?
Mexican beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
