Why You’ll Love this Hearty Mexican Stew
When you’re craving something that’ll stick to your ribs and warm you from the inside out, this hearty Mexican stew delivers exactly what your soul needs. I love how it transforms simple pantry staples into pure comfort magic.
The taco seasoning and ranch dressing create an unexpectedly perfect flavor combo that’ll have you questioning why you never tried this before.
What Ingredients are in Hearty Mexican Stew?
This hearty Mexican stew keeps things beautifully simple with ingredients you probably already have tucked away in your pantry. I’m talking about the kind of recipe that saves you from those “what’s for dinner” moments when you’re staring into the fridge hoping inspiration will magically appear.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef or ground turkey
- 4 (14 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, pureed in blender (or substitute 2 cans Ro-tel tomatoes and 2 cans stewed tomatoes for extra spice)
- 3 (16 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 (15½ ounce) cans hominy, drained
- 2 packets taco seasoning
- 2 packets dry ranch dressing mix (Hidden Valley recommended)
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility and forgiveness. Don’t have ground beef? Turkey works just as well and lightens things up a bit. Never tried hominy before? Think of it as corn’s chewy, heartier cousin that adds incredible texture to every spoonful. The ranch dressing mix might seem like an odd choice, but trust me on this one – it adds a creamy, tangy depth that balances the bold taco flavors perfectly. If you’re feeling adventurous, swap out half the stewed tomatoes for Ro-tel to bring some heat to the party.
How to Make this Hearty Mexican Stew
Making this hearty Mexican stew is so wonderfully straightforward that even my chronically kitchen-challenged brother could probably pull it off without calling me in a panic. Start by browning your 2 lbs of ground beef or ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once it’s nicely browned and no longer pink, drain off all that excess fat – nobody wants a greasy stew floating on top of their dinner, right? Transfer the meat to your trusty crock pot and add both 2 packets of taco seasoning, mixing everything together until the meat is well coated with those lovely spices.
Now comes the fun part where you basically become a can-opening machine. Add your 4 (14 ounce) cans of stewed tomatoes that you’ve pureed in the blender until smooth, followed by the 3 (16 ounce) cans of drained and rinsed pinto beans, and the 3 (15½ ounce) cans of drained hominy. Sprinkle in those 2 packets of dry ranch dressing mix, give everything a good stir, and you’re golden. Set your crock pot to low and let it work its magic for 4-6 hours, filling your house with the most incredible aroma that’ll have neighbors mysteriously showing up around dinnertime. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s nearly impossible to mess up – the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day, occasionally peeking in to admire your handiwork. If you’re planning to serve this stew with fresh bread, a bread making machine can help you prepare the perfect accompaniment while your stew simmers away.
Hearty Mexican Stew Substitutions and Variations
One of the absolute best things about this Mexican stew recipe is how incredibly forgiving it’s when you’re standing in your kitchen, staring at your pantry, and realizing you’re missing half the ingredients.
I can swap ground turkey for beef, substitute black beans for pinto, or use diced tomatoes instead of stewed ones without batting an eye.
What to Serve with Hearty Mexican Stew
While I adore slurping this stew straight from the bowl like some kind of civilized caveman, pairing it with the right sides transforms a simple weeknight dinner into something that’ll have your family actually putting down their phones at the table.
Cornbread’s the obvious choice, but warm tortillas, crusty bread, or even rice work beautifully too.
Final Thoughts
Why does this ridiculously simple stew work so well? I think it’s because comfort food doesn’t need fancy techniques or exotic ingredients.
Sometimes the best meals come from dumping quality ingredients into a pot and letting time do the work. This stew proves that delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated.
