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Get ready to try the most amazing corn you have ever made! Elote is a mouthwatering Mexican corn recipe that elevates the simple corn-on-the-cob into a culinary masterpiece. My Elote Recipe has a combination of flavors that come together to take corn to an over-the-top experience. It is so so so good!
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Elotes Recipe
There is no more delicious way to serve corn than this! This is hands down my family’s favorite corn recipe and it is easy to see why! Elotes, also known as Mexican Street corn or Esquites, are charred on the grill then bathed in a delicious creamy sauce and topped with cotija cheese. It is an amazing combination of flavors!
The Mexican crema is rich and sweet. The spices kick it, and the cotija cheese is salty and crumbly. This creamy corn recipe also uses a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh zing.
This recipe is amazing, it’s my family’s favorite way to eat corn now, so glad I made it. 😉
Harriet on Pinterest
What is Elote?
Mexican elite corn (or Elote Mexicano) is also known as Mexican street corn and is one of the best street foods in the world, period! It is super simple to make and fun to eat. You make it by grilling corn cobs, then slathering them in Mexican crema, spices, and cotija cheese. This is a perfect summer grilled corn recipe!
Elote Recipe IngredFresh
- fresh sweet corn on the cob shucked
- sour cream
- mayo
- garlic crushed
- lime zest
- chili powder
- paprika can be mild or smoky
- cilantro
- cotija cheese
- Lime wedges to Salte
- salt and pepper to taste
Mexican Street Corn Recipe
- In a bowl, mix together the Mexican crema dressing ingredients.
- Grill sweet corn without the husks on a grill, over high heat. Turn regularly for about 10 minutes until they begin to char.
- Take the corn off the grill and brush with the crema dressing all over.
- Finally, sprinkle cotija cheese, lime juice, and your remaining cilantro over the top, and serve!
I love entertaining and one of my favorite dishes that is guaranteed to wow my guests is making a big pot of chicken chili with Mexican Street Corn on the side. Both recipes can be made ahead of time and is so easy to add fresh toppings!
My family loves this recipe so much that I decided to try two other versions of it and they were so glad I did. Street Corn Dip and Mexican Street Corn Casserole are super versions of this recipe and are perfect for a family get-together.
Elote Recipe Tips
- VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure to let the Mexican corn cool before proceeding with the recipe as it will be very hot.
- You can find cotija Cheese in the ethnic section of the grocery store.
My husband and I absolutely love this recipe! Great with Lime TajÃn!!!
Danii
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Grilling an ear of corn is as simple as brushing a hot grill with oil, then placing it on the grill and turning it regularly.
After about 10 minutes, the kernels will be cooked and there will be a slight char on the outside. This char is great for adding a little extra authentic smoky flavor to your Elotes Mexicanos!
You can also grill corn on the cob in foil! It’s a quick and easy way to cook the most delicious Elote recipe. Just follow our step-by-step instructions on How to Grill Corn on the Cob.
Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob
If you don’t have a grill, you can oven-roast your corn. It’s super easy.
Wrap the corn on the cob in aluminum foil and bake them in the oven at 425° for approximately 20 minutes.
Elote Recipe FAQs
Cotija Cheese is the most common cheese used. You can also substitute feta or queso fresco.
Cotija is a Mexican cheese that’s a bit salty and crumbly. It comes in two different types – fresh and aged. Though both types are salty, the fresh version is very soft while the aged version is harder. The hard version is similar to Parmesan cheese. You can find it in the Mexican cheese section in your local grocery store.
Crema is the Mexican version of French crème fraîche. Both are slightly sour and thickened cream. It is a bit milder and thinner than American sour cream and is perfect for making Elotes Mexicanos.
Elote Corn Substitutions
- I have also made Mexican Street Corn using Avocado Crema instead of Mexican Crema and it is a really fun twist to this recipe!
- If you can’t find cotija cheese at your local grocer, look for a Mexican queso fresco. It is a bit milder but will work well in this recipe.
- Another alternative to cotija cheese is feta cheese. It has a similar saltiness and texture. All work well for making Elotes Mexicanos.
This was incredible! I had some awhile ago from a food truck and have been craving them ever since! These taste super authentic!
Marina
Corn Recipes
- Mexican Street Corn Casserole is so easy and it can be made ahead of time!
- Street Corn Dip Perfect for casual get-togethers!
- Corn Ribs
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
What to Serve with Elote
I love this side dish so much that I have even been known to serve it for a holiday meal along with my Prime Rib or Standing Rib Roast. It always gets rave reviews from my guests!
This Mexican street corn was delicious! I have never made Mexican street corn before, but I will definitely make again! A great summer side dish, we served with hamburgers and watermelon.
Naom
📋 Recipe
Elote Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 corn on the cob shucked
- â…“ cup sour cream
- â…“ cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove of garlic crushed
- Zest of one lime
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika can be mild or smoky
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro not packed
- ½ cup cotija cheese
- Lime wedges to serve
See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the Mexican crema dressing ingredients. Combine ⅓ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1 peeled and crushed garlic clove (or 1 tsp. garlic paste), lime zest from 1 lime, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ⅛ cup chopped cilantro (about half of your ¼ cup).
- Grill 4 sweet corn without the husks on a grill, over high heat. Turn regularly for about 10 minutes until they begin to char.
- Take the corn off the grill and brush with the crema dressing all over.
- Finally, sprinkle ½ cup cotija cheese, lime juice from 1 lime, and your remaining cilantro over the top, and serve!
Video
Notes
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- How to Grill Corn on the Cob WITHOUT Husks: If you’re not sure how to grill corn on the cob without husks, it really is as simple as brushing a hot grill with oil, then placing the corn on the grill and turning it regularly. You don’t need to take any extra steps to grill corn on the cob without husks.
- Roast Corn in the Oven: Wrap the corn on the cob in aluminum foil and bake them in the oven at 425° for approximately 20 minutes.
- Make sure to let the corn cool before proceeding with the recipe as it will be very hot.
- How to Grill Corn on the Cob WITHOUT Husks: If you’re not sure how to grill corn on the cob without husks, it really is as simple as brushing a hot grill with oil, then placing the corn on the grill and turning it regularly. You don’t need to take any extra steps to grill corn on the cob without husks.
sherry says
Never tried elotes before.. LOVED it.. I had two!! The whole family loved it!!
Em Beitel says
Sherry, that’s awesome! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! This is one of our favorite recipes of all time. So delicious.
Jamie says
I never had these before and I never made them before. I cooked my corn in a pan on the stove (small, 4 inch pieces, from the freezer section because it’s winter) and they were so delicious. The only thing I would do different next time is I would keep the corn warm and each person dress their own as they make their plates because this time I did them all and by the time we ate they were not as warm as I wanted. The flavors were so right though. Will be making again.
Em Beitel says
That’s awesome, Jamie! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Keeping the corn warm to dress at the table is a great idea.
Stacey says
Great recipe!! Some of the family aren’t fans of cilantro but the ones of us that don’t mind it loved this! Will definitely make it again for a few of us but we’ll still have to make the old fashioned corn for the others 😕 I roasted it instead of grilling for about 35 minutes and left it wrapped in foil until time to dress it and set it out. Worked perfectly and sent leftovers home. The only change I made was adding the juice of a lime into the cream before brushing the corn.
Em Beitel says
That is awesome, Stacey! Thank you for sharing with us!
Kimberly says
Delicious! Made it tonight and the whole family loved it! We would like it to have a little more heat. Should I add more chili powder? Something different? Thanks!
Em Beitel says
Hi Kimberly! We are so glad you enjoyed it. Definitely, for a little more heat you could add a bit more chili powder or, if you’d like, some red pepper flakes. Thank you!
Emily says
Put a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce like Valentina or Cholula!
jason says
tajin
Em Beitel says
Tajin would be a great choice, too. Thank you!