Creamy Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe
This Mexican Street Corn recipe features sweet grilled corn slathered in a creamy, tangy mayonnaise sauce, sprinkled generously with salty Cotija cheese and a dusting of smoky chili powder. It’s a vibrant and flavorful street food classic that’s easy to prepare and perfect for summer cookouts or as a delicious side dish.
- Author: Dylan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Corn
- 4 ears of fresh corn, husks removed
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C), to ensure the corn cooks evenly and develops a nice char.
- Grill the Corn: Place the corn directly on the grill grates and cook, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and charred in spots, about 10-12 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, half of the crumbled Cotija cheese, chili powder, lime juice, and salt until well combined.
- Coat the Corn: Once grilled, brush each ear of corn generously with the mayonnaise mixture, making sure to cover all sides.
- Top with Cheese and Chili Powder: Sprinkle the remaining Cotija cheese over the coated corn, then dust lightly with extra chili powder for added flavor and color.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm, optionally with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- For a smoky flavor without a grill, roast the corn under the broiler or on a cast-iron skillet.
- If Cotija cheese is unavailable, feta or Parmesan can be used as substitutes, though they will alter the flavor slightly.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to your preferred heat level or use smoked paprika for a milder smoke flavor.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated up to 3 days and used as a dip or spread.
Keywords: Mexican street corn, elote, grilled corn, summer side dish, smoky chili powder corn