Elote Recipe (Elotes Mexicanos)

Mexican street corn, or Elotes Mexicanos, is a traditional Mexican food recipe that’s quick to make and addictive! Easy and delicious, this elote recipe is a must try for the summer.

What is Elote?

Mexican Elote (Elote Mexicano), also known as Mexican street corn, is one of the best street foods in the world. It’s super simple to make and even easier to eat. If you like corn on the cob on the grill, and especially if you like Mexican spice blends, you will love this recipe for Elote corn. It is one of our favorite traditional Mexican dishes.

Corn cobs, grilled until charred, are slathered in Mexican crema, spices, and cotija cheese. This traditional Mexican mexican recipe is the perfect Summer Grilled Corn Recipe: fresh, layered with flavor, and totally addictive.

Elote Ingredients

Elotes Ingredients include:

• Fresh corn on the cob
• Mexican crema (or sour cream and mayonnaise, like this recipe)
• Dried spices like chili paprika and chili powder
• Other herbs and spices, such as garlic and cilantro
• Cotija cheese

For this Authentic Elotes recipe, we use exactly:

• 4 corn on the cob, shucked
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• Zest of one lime
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. paprika (can be mild or smoky)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro not packed
• 1/2 cup cotija cheese
• Lime wedges to serve

The corn and Mexican crema are rich and sweet, the spices give it a kick, and the cotija cheese is salty and crumbly. This Elote recipe also uses a squeeze of lime for a fresh zing.

What is Mexican Crema

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, with.

What is Cotija Cheese

Cotija is a Mexican cheese made from cow’s milk. It’s a bit salty in flavor and crumbly in texture. Cotija cheese 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. It is similar to Parmesan.

Love Authentic Mexican Food Recipes? Try these Mexican dishes:

You might also like these Chilaquiles Rojos or this Mexican Lasagna with Corn Tortillas. I love this Mojo Verde on just about any grilled meat like these grilled Beef Shish Kebabs.

How to Make Elote

Corn elotes are so simple to make. The only cooking involved is cooking some corn on the cob on the grill, while the remaining ingredients are either brushed or sprinkled over the elotes, straight off the grill.

Mexican street corn recipes move fairly quickly, so prepare all your ingredients ahead of time.

1. In a bowl, mix together your Mexican crema dressing ingredients
2. Grill the corn without the husks on a grill, over high heat, turning regularly for about 10 minutes.
3. Brush the corn with the crema dressing, all over.
4. Finally, sprinkle the remaining ingredients over the top and serve.

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.

After about 10 minutes, the corn 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.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob WITH Husks

If you prefer, you can also grill corn on the cob with husks. The steps are very similar to grilling corn on the cob without husks, you simply need to prepare the husks.

To prepare the husks for grilling follow these steps:

1. Peel the husks back carefully, leaving them attached at the bottom of each cob of corn.
2. Remove the corn silks from the husks as best as you can. Normally, this is where you would season the corn. Because the Mexican crema we brush on after has our seasonings, we won’t season here.
3. Place the husk back over the corn. Grill as you would normally for the time stated in this recipe.

What to Serve with Elotes Mexicanos

Serve this elote recipe with a good helping of cilantro and cotija cheese. I like to add a squeeze of lime to my Mexican street corn too, as it adds a nice acidic zing that cuts through the richness of the dressing and cheese.

Elote is normally served as a snack, so it is great served on its own or as a side in a Mexican feast. You could easily serve Elote corn alongside recipes like:

• Authentic Carne Asada Recipe
• Mexican Rice Bowl with Shrimp
• Steak Foil Pack
• Shrimp Foil Pack
• Mexican Lasagna with Corn Tortillas
• Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

And don’t forget dessert! Carlota de Limon (Charlotte Russe Dessert) is a classic Mexican icebox cake. You could also serve Key Lime Pie Squares!

What are you waiting for? This Elote recipe is the perfect Summer snack and one of our favorite side dishes for BBQ. Quick, easy, and a flavorful treat your family will love! Let us know what you think of Elote corn in the comments below and with a rating.

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Elote Recipe

Mexican street corn, or Elotes Mexicanos, is a traditional Mexican food that's quick to make and addictive! This elote recipe is a must try for the summer.

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Comment

Course: Appetizer or snack, Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: elote recipe, elotes mexicanos, mexican street corn

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 299kcal

Author: Marie Roffey

Ingredients

• 4 corn on the cob shucked
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove of garlic crushed
• Zest of one lime
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika can be mild or smoky
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro not packed
• 1/2 cup cotija cheese
• Lime wedges to serve

Instructions

• Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic and lime zest, plus half of each of the chili powder, paprika and cilantro.
• Heat a grill to high heat. Brush the grill with a little oil, then place the corn on top. Cook turning for around 10 minutes until lightly charred on the outside and the kernels are softened a little.
• Take the corn off the grill and immediately brush with the crema mixture. Place them on a plate.
• Sprinkle with the cotija cheese, and the remaining chili powder, paprika and cilantro.
• Serve while hot.

Video

Notes

TIP—GRILLING CORN:

1. 1. 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.
   2. How to Grill Corn on the Cob WITH Husks: If you prefer, you can also grill corn on the cob with husks. The steps are very similar to grilling corn on the cob without husks, you simply need to prepare the husks.
      1. To prepare the husks for grilling follow these steps:
         1. Peel the husks back carefully, leaving them attached at the bottom of each cob of corn.
         2. Remove the corn silks from the husks as best as you can. Normally, this is where you would season the corn. Because the Mexican crema we brush on after has our seasonings, we won’t season here.
         3. Place the husk back over the corn. Grill as you would normally for the time stated in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 362mg | Potassium: 299mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 11.5mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @familyfoodie or tag #SundaySupper!

Elote Recipe Post was updated on 8/19/19.