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Mexican street corn

Authentic Mexican Street Corn: 1 Secret to Amazing Elote


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  • Author: clarakohn
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Make authentic Mexican street corn, known as Elote, at home. This recipe guides you through creating this popular grilled corn dish with a creamy, tangy, and spicy topping.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn, husked
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
  • Salt to taste


Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Brush the husked corn ears with melted butter.
  3. Place the corn on the preheated grill. Grill for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and slightly charred.
  4. While the corn grills, prepare the topping. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream (or crema), 1/4 cup cotija cheese, 2 tablespoons cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until well combined.
  5. Once the corn is grilled, remove it from the grill.
  6. Generously spread the prepared topping over each ear of warm corn.
  7. Sprinkle with additional cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.
  8. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

  • For an extra smoky flavor, you can briefly char the corn directly over an open flame on your stovetop after grilling.
  • If cotija cheese is unavailable, you can substitute with crumbled feta cheese, though the flavor will be slightly different.
  • Adjust the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ear
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg