Description
Make authentic Mexican Street Corn on the Cob, known as Elote, by grilling fresh corn and coating it in a creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce topped with cotija cheese and chili powder.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn, husks removed
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Mexican crema
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (or TajÃn seasoning)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: finely chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the grill for medium-high heat. If you do not have a grill, you can char the corn directly over a gas burner on low to medium heat, turning frequently.
- Grill the corn cobs directly on the grates for 10 to 15 minutes, turning every few minutes until the kernels are tender and lightly charred on all sides.
- While the corn cooks, prepare the topping sauce. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream (if using), lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and salt until smooth.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the heat.
- Working quickly, brush each hot corn cob generously on all sides with the prepared creamy sauce mixture.
- Immediately roll or sprinkle the sauced corn in the crumbled cotija cheese until fully coated.
- Sprinkle the finished Elote with extra chili powder or TajÃn and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, ensure your cotija cheese uses microbial rennet, or substitute with a firm, salty feta cheese.
- To make Esquites (Street Corn Off the Cob), cut the kernels off the cooked cobs and mix them directly into the sauce before serving in small bowls.
- For a vegan substitution, use vegan mayonnaise and a vegan feta or nutritional yeast blend instead of cotija cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cob
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 19
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 35