Description
Mexican Street Corn (Elote) features grilled corn on the cob slathered with a creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, sour cream, lime, and chili powder, topped with cotija cheese and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn, husked
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smoky flavor)
1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or Parmesan cheese as an alternative)
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
1–2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for extra richness)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the husked corn directly on the grill and cook, rotating occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes until charred and cooked through.
- While the corn is grilling, make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Stir until smooth and well-combined.
- Once the corn is grilled, remove from heat and brush each ear with melted butter (optional) for added richness.
- Generously brush the creamy sauce over the corn, ensuring each ear is well-coated. Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese over the top, followed by additional chili powder for extra spice if desired.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add more chili powder, cayenne pepper, or chopped jalapeños.
- For a vegan version, replace mayonnaise and sour cream with dairy-free alternatives, and use nutritional yeast or vegan cheese instead of cotija.
- If fresh corn is unavailable, frozen corn can be used, though it won’t have the same smoky flavor. Grill or sauté for a similar effect.
- This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
