Description
Homemade Mexican Street Corn, also known as Elote, is a classic and flavorful side dish featuring grilled corn slathered in a creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce made from mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, and lime. Perfect for summer cookouts, this easy-to-make recipe brings authentic Mexican flavors to your table with a delicious charred finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Corn
- 4 ears of corn (husks removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter (for grilling)
For the Sauce & Toppings
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese, divided
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough to char the corn evenly.
- Prepare the Corn: Brush each ear of corn with olive oil or melted butter to prevent sticking and enhance flavor during grilling.
- Grill the Corn: Place the corn on the grill and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve a light char on all sides.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: While the corn is grilling, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, and half of the crumbled cotija cheese. Mix until well blended.
- Coat the Corn: Remove the grilled corn from the grill and immediately spread the creamy sauce all over each ear while still hot, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining cotija cheese evenly over the corn, then dust with chili powder and smoked paprika. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve: Serve the Mexican street corn with fresh lime wedges on the side for squeezing, adding a bright and zesty finish.
Notes
- To make this off the cob, use 3 cups of cooked corn kernels and toss with the sauce and toppings.
- Feta cheese can be used as a substitute for cotija if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder depending on your preferred spice level.
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked chipotle powder to the seasoning.
