Description
Mexican Street Corn, or Elote, is a flavorful grilled corn dish topped with a zesty mixture of crema, mayonnaise, lime, and spices, finished with fresh cilantro and crumbled Cotija cheese. This classic Mexican street food is perfect for summer cookouts and gatherings, delivering a smoky, tangy, and creamy delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn and Seasoning
- 10 ears fresh sweet corn
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce Mixture
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cumin
- 1/3 cup Crema Mexicana
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Garnish
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 oz. Cotija cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare the Grill: Heat your charcoal grill to about 400°F to ensure a nice sear and char on the corn.
- Prepare the Corn: Remove the husks completely from the corn cobs. Drizzle olive oil over the ears and use your fingers or a pastry brush to evenly coat the corn with oil.
- Grill the Corn: Place the corn on the hot grill. Turn the ears every 3 minutes to cook evenly on all sides until the corn is cooked through and begins to char, about 20 minutes total.
- Make the Sauce: While the corn is grilling, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, Crema Mexicana, minced garlic, and mayonnaise in a bowl until well combined.
- Coat the Corn: Once grilled, generously brush the sauce mixture all over the hot corn, ensuring all sides are covered.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the corn with chopped cilantro and crumbled Cotija cheese. Serve the Mexican street corn immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- For a milder version, adjust or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Cotija cheese can be substituted with feta cheese in a pinch, but authentic Cotija is preferred.
- If you don’t have a charcoal grill, a gas grill or stovetop grill pan can be used instead.
- Crema Mexicana can be substituted with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt if unavailable.
- Wear gloves when handling cayenne pepper if you have sensitive skin.
