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Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote Recipe)

Grilled and charred Mexican-style corn on the cob, slathered in a creamy and zesty sauce and topped with crumbled cheese. This is classic Mexican street corn, easy to make at home for a summer grilling side dish during sweet corn season.

Mexican street corn on serving platter.

When we lived in Chicago, around the corner were several Mexican establishments... a bakery, taquerias and a supermercado. In the summer months, mostly August, a pushcart would appear on the sidewalk selling corn on the cob, called elote. I was always intrigued but could never quite get past the large jar of mayonnaise sitting out in the hot sun.

Flash forward to our days in St. Paul, Minnesota. Similar cart on the sidewalk outside our favorite Mexican grocery with the restaurant in the back. Still couldn't get past the mayo in the sun. But I always felt like this grilled summer corn was not to be missed, so I finally decided to make it at home, currently in St. Louis. So easy and SO GOOD!!

Ingredients

Ingredients for Mexican street corn.

Here's what you'll need to make grilled Mexican street corn, aka elotes.

  • Corn on the cob  no better time than late summer sweet corn.
  • Mayonnaise and sour cream  or Mexican crema for the sauce. Sour cream is easier to find and I usually have it on hand.
  • Cilantro, chile powder and garlic
  • Lime juice and zest
  • Crumbled feta cheese  or the traditional Cotija cheese. I find feta is easier to find and I often have it on hand.

How to Make Mexican Street Corn

Two photo process collage, making the sauce and the grilled corn on the cob.Charred corn on the cob on the grill.

  1. Make the mayonnaise mixture and set aside.
  2. Grill the corn on the cob until charred all over.
  3. Coat the corn with the creamy mixture and sprinkle with the crumbled cheese and a dusting of more chile powder.
  4. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Close up of grilled Mexican street corn with crumbled cheese.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • I use sour cream instead of Mexican crema, only because I always have that on hand. But by all means, you can swap that out for Mexican crema if you have it or can easily find it in the grocery.
  • Same goes for my choice of feta cheese. Cotija cheese is traditional and more authentic but not always easy to find. I really like feta as the best substitution. Grated parmesan will also work!
  • For a little spice, I like the smoky heat of ground chipoltle pepper. You can sub with ancho chile powder, regular chili powder or even a little cayenne pepper.
  • I brush on the crema mixture but you can spoon it on or even roll the corn in a shallow dish of the mayonnaise mixture. Whatever way you find easiest to coat the corn. It's a bit messy to make as well as to eat!

Mexican-style charred sweet corn is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. It is perfect for backyard summer cookouts, especially when the sweet corn comes in locally for the season. It's like having your own street cart serving up Mexican street corn in your own backyard! xxo- Kelly🍴🐦

Grilled Mexican corn on serving platter with cream sauce and crumbled cheese.

Looking for some more summer corn dishes or dishes to go with these elotes?

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Mexican street corn on platter with lime wedges

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Grilled and charred Mexican-style corn on the cob, aka elote, slathered in a creamy and zesty sauce and topped with crumbled cheese.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 ears
Calories: 252kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of corn
  • ¼ cup good quality mayonnaise I like Duke's
  • ¼ cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or minced
  • Zest of half a lime
  • Juice of half a lime
  • ¼ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or Cotija cheese
  • Lime wedges and chipotle pepper for serving

Instructions

  • Make the sauce. In small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, chipotle pepper, garlic, lime zest and juice. Season with a pinch of kosher salt. Set aside.
  • Grill the corn. Heat the grill and when hot, grill the shucked corn, turning every 3 minutes until charred all over, about 10 minutes or so. Remove corn to a platter or plate.
  • Brush or spoon on the sauce all over to coat the corn, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and a dusting of chipotle pepper. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Recipe Notes

  • You can substitute Mexican crema for the sour cream and Cotija cheese or Parmesan cheese instead of feta cheese. Mexican crema and Cotija are more authentic, but that said, it's all good!
  • Use chipotle pepper to taste or sub with ancho, regular chili powder or a little cayenne pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ear Calories: 252kcal Carbohydrates: 19g Protein: 6g Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 6g Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 31mg Sodium: 323mg Potassium: 286mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 6g Vitamin A: 451IU Vitamin C: 7mg Calcium: 112mg Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!

 

 

5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Edward

Thursday 15th of September 2022

The best-tasting way to eat farm-fresh corn on the cob!