Hominy: What It Is and How to Use Nixtamalized Corn
Find out what hominy is, how nixtamalization changes corn and how to use it.
Hominy is corn that has been treated with an alkaline solution, usually limewater, in a process called nixtamalization. The kernels swell and develop a distinctive corn flavor and chewy texture. Hominy is used whole in dishes such as pozole and can also be ground for other preparations.
The lime in limewater is culinary calcium hydroxide, not the green citrus fruit. Putting a squeeze of lime juice in ordinary corn will not turn it into hominy, although it might make a perfectly nice side dish.
What does hominy taste like?
Hominy has a mellow, savory corn flavor with a substantial bite. It is less sweet than the sweetcorn commonly eaten off the cob. The kernels are useful in soups and stews because they bring texture as well as flavor.
White and yellow hominy are both sold. The exact flavor and cooking behavior depend on the corn and processing, so use the form specified in your recipe when possible.
Canned versus dried hominy
Canned hominy is already cooked. Drain or rinse as the recipe directs, then warm it in soup or stew long enough to take on the surrounding flavors.
Dried hominy needs preparation and cooking before eating. Check the packet or a reliable recipe for soaking and cooking time; it is not ready to eat merely because it has been nixtamalized. Allow more time than for the canned version.
How is hominy used?
Whole hominy is a key ingredient in Mexican pozole, a soup or stew with regional variations. Hominy can also be ground into grits or used to make masa. Masa and masa harina are not the same physical form as whole canned kernels: use a recipe written for the product you have.
For a simple meal, add cooked hominy to a vegetable soup or a stew with beans and herbs. Taste for tenderness before serving.
Can you replace hominy with sweetcorn?
Sweetcorn can add corn flavor and kernels to a soup, but it is sweeter and lacks hominy's characteristic processing and chewy texture. It is an adaptation, not a close match in pozole. Canned hominy is often the easiest substitute for dried hominy when time is short; adjust when you add it because it is already cooked.
Hominy is made from corn, which is naturally gluten-free. For a strict gluten-free diet, check packaged products and prepared dishes for added ingredients and cross-contact.