Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge Recipe
This Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge recipe is a rich, creamy, and delicious!
It’s a comforting breakfast dish that warms the soul and satisfies the taste buds.
It’s the perfect way to start your day, offering a combination of texture, sweetness, and spice that makes it truly unforgettable.
Whether you’re familiar with Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge, or trying it for the first time, you’re in for a delightful treat!
What is Hominy Corn?
Hominy corn is dried maize (corn) that has been treated with an alkali solution, a process called nixtamalization.
This process removes the hull, making the kernels larger and giving them a chewy texture.
Hominy corn is widely used in various cuisines, from Latin American to Southern U.S. cooking, and in Jamaica, it’s the key ingredient in our beloved Hominy Corn Porridge.
What is Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge?
Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge is a creamy and hearty dish made by cooking hominy corn in water and milk until tender.
The porridge is then sweetened with condensed milk and flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Some people like to add a hint of salt to balance the flavors.
This dish has been a breakfast favorite in Jamaica for generations, often enjoyed for breakfast as a nutritious meal to fuel the day.
Why You Will Love This Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge Recipe
1. Deliciously Creamy – The combination of your desired milk and condensed milk creates an irresistibly smooth texture.
2. Nutritious and Filling – Hominy corn is packed with fiber and slow-digesting carbohydrates that keep you full for longer.
3. Authentic Jamaican Flavor – Infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, this porridge is bursting with traditional Jamaican flavor.
4. Versatile – Enjoy it as a breakfast meal or even as a comforting snack.
5. Easy to Make – This recipe is simple and straightforward to follow.
Ingredients for Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge Recipe
To make Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge, you will need the following ingredients:
- Hominy Corn – Use dried whole hominy corn kernels.
- Water – Needed for soaking the hominy overnight and cooking it until tender.
- All-Purpose Flour – Used to thicken the porridge and achieve the desired consistency.
- Milk – Gives the porridge a rich, creamy taste and texture. You can use regular milk or substitute with coconut milk.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – The main sweetener that adds richness and balances the flavors. Adjust to taste.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – To enhance the porridge’s flavor.
- Spices – Ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon add warmth and depth of flavor.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors; adjust to taste.
Essential Kitchen Tools
- Large Pot: A heavy-bottomed pot is essential for simmering the hominy corn evenly and preventing scorching.
- Wooden Spoon A wooden spoon helps stir the porridge without scratching the pot.
- Whisk: A whisk is useful for preventing lumps when adding thickening agents like flour or cornstarch.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurately measuring ingredients like coconut milk, condensed milk, and spices.
- Fine Mesh Strainer or Colander: Used to rinse and drain hominy corn before cooking. If using canned hominy, a colander is helpful for draining excess liquid.
- Mixing Bowls: Useful for soaking the hominy corn overnight.
- Pressure Cooker (Optional): A faster way to soften the hominy corn.
- Ladle: Makes serving the porridge easier.
- Airtight Containers (for storage): If you plan to store leftovers, airtight containers help keep the porridge fresh in the fridge.
How to Make Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge
To make Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge, use the following steps:
- Soak – Rinse hominy corn, soak overnight in water, then drain.
- Cook the Hominy – Boil with fresh water, then simmer until tender, adding more water if needed.
- Thicken the Porridge – Mix flour with milk, then stir into the pot along with spices and vanilla.
- Sweeten & Serve – Add condensed milk, stir to desired consistency, and serve warm.
🥄✨ You can view the step-by-step instructions and the full recipe below.
The traditional way to cook Jamaican hominy corn porridge is to soak the hominy corn overnight before cooking. If you’re short on time or forgot to soak it, you have two options:
- Pressure Cooker: Cooks hominy in 40 minutes, then simmers with milk, spices, and flour mixture.
- Stovetop (Without Soaking): Boil hominy for at least an hour, then simmers with milk, spices, and flour mixture to finish the porridge.
👇🏽 See the instructions for both methods below.
What to Serve Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge With
Jamaican hominy corn porridge is usually enjoyed as a complete meal on its own. However, if you’d like to add something extra, here are a few delicious pairings:
- Hard Dough Bread or Jamaican Water Crackers – Perfect for dipping into the warm, creamy porridge.
- Fresh Fruits – Slices of banana, mango, or pineapple can add a natural sweetness and a tropical twist.
- A Cup of Tea – Traditional Jamaican bush tea, ginger tea, or even hot chocolate can go with the porridge.
Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge Recipe FAQs
1. Do I need to soak hominy corn before cooking?
Traditionally, hominy corn is soaked overnight before cooking to soften the kernels and reduce cooking time.
2. What if I forgot to soak the hominy corn?
If you didn’t get a chance to soak it, you have two options:
- Use a pressure cooker to cook it faster.
- Cook it longer on the stovetop until it softens.
👇🏽 See the instructions for both methods below.
3. How can I make my porridge thicker or thinner?
If your porridge is too thin, mix a small amount of flour with water and stir it in while simmering. If it’s too thick, add a bit more milk or water to reach your desired consistency.
4. What Is the Difference Between Corn and Hominy?
Corn on the cob comes from sweet corn, which is naturally soft and juicy. Hominy, on the other hand, is made from dried field corn that has been processed through nixtamalization—a method that softens the kernels while giving them a slightly chewy, meaty texture, similar to beans but firmer.
5. Where Can I Buy Hominy Corn?
Hominy is available at most Caribbean, Latin, and Asian grocery stores. You can also find it in the international aisle of some supermarkets. If it’s not available locally, you can easily order it online.
6. Can I use canned hominy corn instead of dried hominy corn?
Yes, you can. Just rinse and drain it before adding it directly to the coconut milk mixture. Since it’s already cooked, you can skip the soaking and boiling steps. Simply combine the ingredients, heat, and stir until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. How do I reheat leftover hominy corn porridge?
You can microwave it or reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Since the porridge thickens when chilled, add a little milk or water to loosen it before reheating.
Jamaican Hominy Corn Porridge Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ cups Hominy corn dried
- 5 cups Water
- 2 ½ tablespoon All-purpose flour adjust based on desired thickness
- 2 cups Milk (regular or condensed) +3 tablespoons (divided)
- ¼ cup Sweetened condensed milk adjust to taste
- 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Salt to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Rinse the hominy corn kernels 3 times or until the water runs as clear as possible, then drain.
- Place the hominy corn in a bowl, then add 2½ cups of fresh water and let it soak overnight. 📌(If you're short on time or didn’t get a chance to soak the hominy corn, you can use the pressure cooker method or stovetop method below).
- Drain the soaking water and transfer the hominy corn to a large pot. Add 5 cups of water and bring to a rapid boil over medium-high heat for 5 minutes
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the water reduces and the kernels are tender. If needed, add 1 cup of water at a time and continue simmering until fully softened.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour and 3 tablespoon milk; set aside.
- Once the water has reduced and the liquid becomes a thin, gelatinous slurry, stir in the milk and reduce heat to low (should have just a slight bubble).
- Add nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and the flour-milk mixture, stirring every few minutes with a wooden spoon for 10-12 minutes, or until the porridge reaches your desired consistency.
- Sweeten with condensed milk, remove from heat, and serve warm.
📌 Pressure Cooker Method
- Add hominy corn, salt, and water to the pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, checking after 20 minutes to see if more water is needed.2. After 40 minutes, taste a few kernels. If they’re still too firm, cook for a little longer or proceed with the next step.3. Add milk, spices, and vanilla, then simmer.4. Mix flour with a little water, then stir it into the porridge to help thicken.5. Stir in condensed milk and sweeten to taste.
📌 Stovetop Method (Without Soaking)
- Add hominy corn and water to a medium-deep pot and bring to a boil. Cook until the kernels soften to your desired texture, which can take at least an hour or more.2. Once soft, add milk, spices, and vanilla, then continue simmering.3. Mix flour with a little water, then stir it into the porridge to thicken.4. Sweeten with condensed milk to taste.
NOTES
2️⃣ Cook the hominy corn longer on the stovetop until it softens. 📌 See the instructions for both methods above.
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