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This easy Mexican corn recipe is a homemade version of authentic Mexican street corn. Corn on the cob is grilled, cream-slathered, topped with Cotija, and irresistibly seasoned.
Try my Grilled Zucchini Corn Salad next!
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What is elote?
In Mexico and Central America, a cooked ear of corn is called elote (eh-LOH-tay). In culinary terms, elote refers to Mexican street corn, which is cooked corn on the cob slathered in a tangy cream sauce, then dusted with Cotija cheese and elote seasoning. It's a well-known food sold by vendors at street fairs, hence the name Mexican corn or street corn.
Why you'll love this street corn recipe
- It's quick and easy to make.
- Mexican corn is irresistible.
- It's smoky, tangy, rich, and creamy.
- Festive and perfect for summer BBQ parties.
- Great way to enjoy fresh corn during season.
- Homemade street food is fun and memorable.
- It's one of many in a collection of fun and easy Mexican recipes.
Ingredient notes
- corn on the cob - Use white or yellow corn on the cob.
- oil - This gets brushed over the corn for grilling and helps achieve the beautiful charring on the surface.
- mayonnaise - A key ingredient for flavor and texture of the creamy sauce that gets brushed over the corn on the cob.
- Mexican crema - Adds a rich flavor and creamy texture that makes street corn so irresistible. Sour cream can be used in its place, if needed.
- lime and lime zest - Citrus and its zest brightens and compliments the other flavors, so don't skip this essential ingredient.
- Cotija cheese - A crumbly, salty cheese that adds a unique texture and savoriness that compliments the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Tajin seasoning - This topping brings a zingy lime and chili pepper kick to elote. Chili powder can be substituted for color and a deep smoky flavor.
- (optional) fresh cilantro - This adds bright, fresh, pop of color and flavor to Mexican corn.
- (optional) lime wedges - Serve with elote for even more lime flavor!
How to make Mexican corn
These step-by-step instructions show you how to grill Mexican street corn. You can use white or yellow corn on the cob for this recipe. Also, you'll find the printable recipe below.
(Optional step) Pre-cook the corn on the cob by boiling or steaming before grilling for an extra juicy texture. This corn on the cob Instant Pot method is my favorite, hands-free method.
Step 1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Brush and oil the grill grates. If needed, remove husks and silk. Brush corn with a light coat of oil.
Step 2. Place corn on the preheated grill, close lid, and grill 10 to 15 minutes, or until kernels are tender and slightly charred, rotating as needed.
Step 3. Whisk together mayonnaise, crema (or sour cream), lime zest, and lime juice in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
Step 4. Transfer corn to a covered plate to keep warm. To assemble, brush the creamy mixture over the corn.
Step 5. Sprinkle a layer of Cotija cheese over the corn, followed by a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning (or chili powder) and optional cilantro.
Serve Mexican corn warm, garnished with lime wedges.
Recipe notes
- Buying corn - Choose corn in season during the summer months for optimal flavor, texture, and sale pricing.
- Pre-cooking corn - Although not required, you can boil, steam, or pressure cook corn ears before grilling for an extra juicy texture. Boiling is the most authentic method.
- Mexican crema - A friend from Mexico recently told me to skip the retail-packed Mexican crema and, instead, ask for it at the Mexican grocery deli counter. Otherwise, use sour cream for its thick consistency.
- I purposely don't add salt to this elote recipe because the ingredients are naturally salty.
Recipe variations
- Grill with husks on or off? - Either! I prefer husks off because I love the rustic flavor of charred kernels with my elote. However, grilling with husks on steams the corn and keeps it super moist.
- If grilling isn't an option, use another method to cook corn for elote, such as boiling, roasting, and air frying.
- Cotija cheese is available at most grocery stores. However, if it's not an option, grated Parmesan cheese can be used in its place.
Easy Mexican party recipes
- Easy Guacamole
- Mexican Street Corn Off The Cob
- Grilled Chicken Tacos
- Canned Tomato Salsa Recipe
- Jalapeño Popper Dip
- Easy Recipe for Mango Salsa
š Recipe
Grilled Mexican Corn (Elote)
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Video
Note about scaling
When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.
Ingredients
- 4 ears Corn on the Cob
- Oil, as needed
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Mexican Crema, or sour cream
- 1 Lime, zested and juiced
- ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- Tajin Chili Lime Seasoning, or chili powder
- (optional) Cilantro, chopped
- (optional) Lime Wedges
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high for a surface temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush grates to clean, then lightly coat with OIL.
- Remove husks and silk from CORN.
- Brush a light coating of OIL over corn and place on the preheated grill. Close lid, and grill 10 to 15 minutes, or until kernels are tender and slightly charred, rotating as needed.
- Meanwhile, combine MAYONNAISE, CREMA (or sour cream), LIME ZEST, and LIME JUICE in mixing bowl. Set aside.
- When corn is ready, transfer it to a covered plate to keep warm.
- To assemble elote, brush the creamy mixture over corn.
- Sprinkle a layer of COTIJA CHEESE followed by a sprinkle of TAJIN SEASONING.
- Garnish with optional CILANTRO and LIME WEDGES. Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Buying corn - Choose corn in season during the summer months for optimal flavor, texture, and sale pricing.
- Pre-cooking corn - Although not required, you can boil, steam, or pressure cook corn ears before grilling for an extra juicy texture. Boiling is the most authentic method.
- Mexican crema - A friend from Mexico recently told me to skip the retail-packed Mexican crema and, instead, ask for it at the Mexican grocery deli counter. Otherwise, use sour cream for its thick consistency.
- I purposely don't add salt to this elote recipe because the ingredients are naturally salty.
Equipment
- outdoor grill or grill pan on stove
- grill brush
- whisk or fork
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
Heidi says
I loved your brilliant trick for pre-cooking the corn before grilling... and your authentic seasonings and other ingredients make this feel like I was actually eating street corn just across the border! Perfect!!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay!! I'm so glad you caught that tipāit really does make it extra juicy! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Much appreciated! xoxo
Emily says
This was so tasty, everyone raved about this recipe! I can't wait to make it again for our Fouth of July BBQ!
Traci says
Yay!! So glad everyone enjoyed it! Elote really is perfect for summer cookouts and I'm glad you're going for it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Suja md says
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! Tasted so good!
Traci says
Hey I'm glad you love it as much as we do! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Andrea says
You have taken boring grilled corn and made it amazing! I could eat this as my meal. No need for anything else with this around.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you're enjoying the recipe. I can eat elote for dinner any day lol. Thanks for sharing your experience!
imsen says
This grilled Mexican corn looks so amazing! I love the combination of the flavors! Thanks for sharing
Traci says
Yay! So glad you can enjoy this one. Thanks so much!
Tayler says
This is the best Mexican street corn recipe I've tried! I made it with our tacos last night and it turned out perfectly!
Traci says
I'm so glad your family is enjoying it! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Cara says
Grilled corn is one of my favorites, and the seasoning on this worked perfectly! Loved it!
Traci says
Yay! So glad you're enjoying the recipe. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Suja md says
Absolutely delicious; thank you for this fantastic recipe! I will make it again!!
Traci says
Yay! So glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
JB says
Wow! This tastes as good as the street corn you get at our farmer's market street corn vendor. Bonus, it's so easy to make and I love the grilling instructions too. Thank you!
Traci says
Yes!! I couldn't agree more! So glad you're finding the grill instructions helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Gina says
I absolutely love this recipe! It's easy to make and has so much flavor. A nice switch up from a regular side of corn on the cob!
Traci says
Yay! Couldn't agree more about what the flavor does to corn on the cob. Thanks for sharing your experience! Enjoy!
Chenee says
This is something I've always wanted to try. You make it look so easy and so yummy!
Traci says
Yay! I'm glad you can enjoy it. Thanks so much!
Amanda says
This looks amazing! I've never heard of this before but corn slathered in sour cream and cheese needs to be made!
Traci says
Yay! I'm glad you can enjoy elote for the first time! Thanks so much!