Bring the flavors of a popular homemade Mexican street food to your table with this easy-to-make elotes (Mexican street corn) recipe. Each bite is creamy and tangy thanks to a blend of cotija cheese, corn, Greek yogurt, mayo, and lime zest. Whether hosting a fiesta or craving bold flavor, this dish is perfect for Cinco de Mayo and will hit the spot!
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What Are Elotes?
Elotes is Spanish for “corn cob”. The recipe uses elotes for Mexican Street Corn, a very popular snack or street food you’ll find from vendors and food trucks in Mexico. It’s believed to have been first made by indigenous people in the pre-Hispanic era.
In other words, this is a very OLD dish. This speaks to how yummy it is, as it remains a staple and highlight street food today!
Personally, I love the crema sauce with the cotija cheese. Cheese anything is always a YES, please and thank you. I also love a good creamy sauce. Add a squeeze of lime? Yummmm……
Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is, and I just made and ate some!
Why You’ll Love Mexican Street Corn
- That nice juicy corn is SO good with the tangy crema and cotija cheese.
- It’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo and summer cookouts.
- Elotes are SUPER easy to make. It’s quick, and the crema can be made ahead of time for an even faster assembly process.
What to Gather
You only need to gather a few ingredients to make this tasty appetizer!
- corn on the cob
- cotija cheese
- mayo
- Greek yogurt
- lime zest
- fresh lime wedges
- lime wedges
- chili powder
- fresh cilantro
- sea salt
Note: Always check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients, amounts, and steps.
Making of Elotes in Photos
Just a few minutes of your time, and you will have your very own elotes!
- Prepare. Preheat a grill pan (or grill) over medium-high heat. Zest and juice 1/4 the lime. Cut the remaining 3/4 into wedges.
- Mix the mayo, Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, and lime zest in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Grill. Place the 4 ears of corn (or however many will fit) in the grill pan and grill. Turn often to slightly char all over. Transfer the corn to a serving platter.
- Assemble. Brush all over with the mayo mixture.
- Sprinkle with chili powder and cotija cheese. Top with cilantro.
- Serve with sea salt and lime wedges.
Tips & Tricks – Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
• Make the crema ahead of time (such as the night before) to make your assembly process super fast.
•To store leftovers: wrap in foil and place in the refrigerator OR shave the kernels off the cob and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat the elotes in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel or in the oven covered in foil and bake at 350º Fahrenheit until warm (usually 5-6 minutes).
• Leftover ideas: Shave the kernels off the cob to make leftover elotes soup, toss with your favorite pasta for elotes pasta salad, or add a fried egg for a quick, savory breakfast!
Want to Change it Up?
To change up this recipe, get creative with the toppings, or add some heat and spice it up!
More Side Dish Recipes
Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
Equipment
- grill pan (or grill)
- tongs
- small mixing bowl
- zester
- corn cob holders (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn shucked and silks removed
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1/3 cup cotija cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- fresh lime wedges for serving
- sea salt for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a grill pan (or grill) over medium-high heat.
- Zest and juice 1/4 the lime. Cut the remaining 3/4 into wedges.1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- Mix the mayo, Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, and lime zest in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- Place the 4 ears of corn (or however many will fit) in the grill pan and grill. Turn often to slightly char all over.4 ears of corn
- Transfer the corn to a serving platter.
- Brush all over with the mayo mixture.
- Sprinkle with cotija cheese and chili powder. Top with cilantro.1/3 cup cotija cheese, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- Serve with sea salt and lime wedges.fresh lime wedges
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information accuracy not guaranteed.
