Welcome to our little corner of the internet! I’m Clara, and like my grandmother before me, I just love how good food brings people together. Her kitchen was always the heart of our home, filled with warmth and the most amazing smells. It wasn’t about fancy techniques, but simple, delicious dishes made with love. That’s the feeling I want to share with you here at 911Recipes.
Today, I’m so excited to share one of my absolute favorites: Mexican Street Corn. It’s vibrant, flavorful, and brings a little bit of sunshine to any meal. It reminds me of happy times, and it’s surprisingly easy to make!
Just like my grandma taught me, food doesn’t need to be complicated to be unforgettable. This Mexican Street Corn recipe is a perfect example. It’s all about simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special.
We’re not professional chefs, just a family who loves to cook and eat together. We believe anyone can make wonderful food right in their own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Street Corn
Let me tell you, this Mexican Street Corn is a game-changer. It’s bursting with flavor and brings such a fun, festive vibe to the table. Here’s why I think you’ll fall in love with it:
- It’s incredibly easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight.
- The flavors are so vibrant – that mix of creamy, tangy, and spicy is just perfect.
- It makes the best side dish for just about anything, from tacos to grilled chicken.
- You can totally make it your own by adjusting the spice level to your liking.
- That smoky char from the grill? Pure magic!

Gathering Your Ingredients for Mexican Street Corn
Okay, before we get started on this amazing Mexican Street Corn, let’s make sure you have everything ready to go. You’ll need four ears of fresh corn, all shucked and ready. Then, grab some mayonnaise, sour cream or Mexican crema, and that lovely crumbled cotija cheese. Don’t forget your chopped fresh cilantro, chili powder, and smoked paprika! Oh, and a few lime wedges for that final squeeze.
Having all your ingredients measured and prepped makes the cooking part so much smoother.
Equipment You’ll Need
Making this Mexican Street Corn doesn’t require a ton of fancy gear. You’ll definitely need a grill to get that lovely char on the corn. A small bowl will be perfect for mixing up the creamy sauce. And finally, a serving platter or just individual plates to show off your delicious creation!
That’s really all there is to it. Simple tools for a simple, amazing dish.
How to Make Delicious Mexican Street Corn
Alright, now for the fun part – actually making this incredible Mexican Street Corn! Don’t worry, it’s super straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying this flavorful treat in no time.
It always feels a little magical watching the corn transform on the grill, getting that perfect smoky flavor. And mixing up that creamy sauce? So satisfying!
Grilling the Corn Perfectly
First things first, let’s get that grill hot. I like to preheat it to medium-high heat. While it’s heating up, make sure your corn is shucked and ready to go.
Carefully place the ears of corn directly on the grill grates. Now, this is important: you want to turn them occasionally. This helps them cook evenly and get those beautiful little charred spots all over.
Keep grilling for about 10 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for the kernels to be tender and have those nice grill marks. Every grill is a little different, so keep an eye on it!
Once they look perfect, carefully take them off the grill. They’ll be hot, so be careful!
Creating the Creamy Mexican Street Corn Sauce
While the corn is still warm from the grill, it’s time to make the magic happen with the sauce. Grab that small bowl you set aside.
In the bowl, mix together your mayonnaise and sour cream or Mexican crema. I love using crema for that authentic taste, but sour cream works great too!
Now, add your chopped fresh cilantro. The green just brightens everything up. Then, sprinkle in the chili powder and smoked paprika. Give it all a good stir until everything is nicely combined. It should be a smooth, creamy mixture.
This sauce is really the heart of the Mexican Street Corn flavor. It’s tangy, a little spicy, and so rich.
Assembling Your Mexican Street Corn
Okay, the grilled corn is ready, the sauce is mixed. Time to bring it all together! Working with one ear of corn at a time, use a spoon or a brush to spread the creamy mixture all over it.
Don’t be shy here! Get a nice, even coating on every side. This is where all that flavor really gets onto the corn.
Once the corn is coated in the sauce, it’s time for the cheese. Sprinkle that crumbled cotija cheese generously over each ear. The cheese sticks nicely to the creamy sauce.
Finally, the finishing touch! Serve the Mexican Street Corn immediately with lime wedges on the side. A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before you take a bite is absolutely essential. It adds a bright, zesty pop that cuts through the richness.

Tips for Perfect Mexican Street Corn
Making this Mexican Street Corn is pretty simple, but a few little tricks can make it even better. If you don’t have a grill, no worries! You can boil your corn until tender, or even roast it in the oven. You won’t get the smoky char, but it will still be delicious.
Feel free to play with the spice! If you love heat, add a little extra chili powder. If you prefer it milder, use less. And if you can’t find cotija cheese, crumbled feta is a really good substitute. It has a similar salty, crumbly texture that works well.
Just remember, the best tip is to have fun with it!
Serving Suggestions for Your Mexican Street Corn
Now that you’ve made this amazing Mexican Street Corn, you might be wondering what to serve it with! It’s such a versatile side dish. I love pairing it with anything grilled, like chicken or steak. The smoky flavors just work so well together.
It’s also the perfect buddy for tacos of all kinds. Fish tacos, chicken tacos, veggie tacos – they all get better with a side of this corn. Or, keep it simple with a fresh salad and make the corn the star!
Honestly, sometimes I just eat two ears of this corn and call it dinner. It’s that good!
Common Questions About Mexican Street Corn
I get asked a few things pretty often about making Mexican Street Corn, so I thought I’d answer them here! It’s always great to know you’re on the right track.
One big question is about the cheese. What if you can’t find cotija? As I mentioned, crumbled feta cheese is a fantastic substitute. It has that salty, crumbly texture that’s really similar to cotija.
Can you make the sauce ahead of time? Absolutely! You can mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, and spices a day or two in advance. Just keep it covered in the fridge. That way, when your corn is ready, the sauce is too!
Another thing people ask is if you can use canned or frozen corn. While fresh corn on the cob is definitely best, especially for grilling, you could adapt this recipe using cooked kernels. You’d just mix the kernels with the sauce and cheese, maybe warm it up a bit. It won’t be exactly the same as elote, but it’ll still be tasty.
And what about variations? You can totally add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more heat, or a little garlic powder to the sauce. Make it your own!
Storing and Reheating Mexican Street Corn
If you happen to have any leftover Mexican Street Corn (which is a big “if” in my house!), storing it is easy. Just wrap each ear tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or pop them into an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator.
To reheat, I find the best way is to gently warm them up in the oven or even a toaster oven. You can also microwave them, but sometimes that can make the corn a little less firm. Just heat until warmed through, and maybe add a little extra squeeze of lime!
Estimated Nutritional Information
It’s always good to have an idea of what you’re eating, right? Based on the ingredients in this recipe, here’s an estimated look at the nutritional information for one serving of Mexican Street Corn.
Keep in mind that these are just typical values. The exact numbers can change depending on the specific brands of mayonnaise, sour cream, or cheese you use. Think of this as a general guide!
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: About 250
- Sugar: Around 5g
- Sodium: Roughly 200mg
- Fat: About 18g
- Saturated Fat: Around 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: Roughly 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: About 20g
- Fiber: Around 3g
- Protein: Roughly 5g
- Cholesterol: About 25mg
This gives you a little snapshot of what’s in each delicious ear.
Enjoy Your Homemade Mexican Street Corn!
Well, there you have it! This Mexican Street Corn recipe is one of my absolute favorites, and I really hope you give it a try. It’s so simple, so flavorful, and just makes me happy every time I make it.
If you make this, please let me know how it turns out! Leave a comment below and tell me what you thought. Happy cooking!
Print
Mexican Street Corn: 4 Steps to Amazing Flavor
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Mexican street corn, a delicious and easy-to-make side dish.
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn, shucked
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill corn, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream or crema, chopped cilantro, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
- Spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over each ear of grilled corn.
- Sprinkle with crumbled cotija cheese.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges.
Notes
- If you don’t have a grill, you can boil or roast the corn instead.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and smoked paprika to your spice preference.
- crumbled feta cheese can be substituted for cotija cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
