What is Elote?
Ingredients You’ll Need for Mexican Street Corn:
I’ve mentioned most of the ingredients you will need for this dish, but let’s look into them a little closer. Many of them might be out of your comfort zone, but no need to worry! I know that trying ingredients from other countries, especially if you don’t really cook can seem a bit too adventurous, but I promise that these six ingredients are essential to the best elote you’ll ever have!
- Corn
- Mexican Crema
- Cotija cheese
- Chili powder or smoked paprika
- Limes
- Cilantro
Make Mexican Street Corn – Elote
Let’s start with the corn, of course! Head on over to our post on the best grilled corn recipe where we share all our secrets for the making perfect grilled corn every time. We also discuss how to pick good corn on the cob at the grocery store in that post. Follow everything in that post except for adding the salt and sugar at the end. You don’t need to add salt to this corn because the cotija is going to add all the saltiness you need.
What is Mexican Crema?
Crema is slightly soured and thickened cream, milder and less thick than American sour cream. You will find it in specialty cheese section of your grocery store. As soon as you pull the corn off the grill, spread the Mexican crema all over each corn on the cob. If you can’t find Mexican crema, you can use mayonnaise as a substitute.
What is Cotija Cheese?
Cotija cheese is a hard, crumbly Mexican cheese. Cotija cheese is made mainly from cow’s milk and is quite salty.
It resembles feta cheese. In fact, feta can be used as a substitute if you absolutely cannot find cotija, but try your hardest to find the cotija! It will also be in the specialty cheese section.
Sprinkle the cotija all over the corn that has been lathered in crema.
How to Season Elote
The classic seasoning for elote is chili powder, but we have also found that we love it with smoked paprika. So maybe do a few cobs with each and see which one you prefer. You can sprinkle them on the corn with the cotija cheese and then squeeze fresh lime juice all over each corn on the cob. Top off each cob with some chopped fresh cilantro.
Can You Reheat Corn on the Cob?
There are a few ways to reheat corn on the cob that will keep it juicy and tender.
- Microwave: Place the corn in a microwave safe dish and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Set the timer for 10-20 second bursts and continue heating till corn is warm.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add butter, 1 tsp. water, salt and pepper to the corn and wrap in foil. Place in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Boiling Water: Bring water to a boil. Add the corn and boil for 1-2 minutes.
How Long Does Elote Keep?
Fully prepared elote will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, but it is by the best when it is eaten fresh! It doesn’t freeze very well, so we don’t recommend that.
What to Eat with Elote Mexican Street Corn
I could make this elote Mexican street corn my whole meal, but most of you are probably going to want it as a side. So if you are looking for a main dish to go with it, here is a link to all our Mexican main dishes and a few of our favorites:
- Steak Fajitas
- Pork Carnitas
- Smothered Honey Lime Chicken Burritos
- Crock Pot Cafe Rio Copycat Chicken
More CORN RECIPES You Are Sure to Love:
- Classic Grilled Corn
- Elote Mexican Corn Pasta Salad
- Jalapeno Bacon Elote Mexican Grilled Corn Salad
- Cheesy Zucchini Corn Casserole
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Grilled Corn Avocado Tomato Salad
- Fiesta Corn
- Cilantro Butter Corn
- Grilled Corn Salad with Black Beans and Rice
- All our SIDE DISHES here!
Mexican Street Corn – Elote
Mexican Street Corn - Elote
Description
Ingredients
- 6-8 Ears of Corn, husked
- Mexican Crema, found in your local grocery store by the cheeses or Mayonnaise
- Cotija Cheese, Again, over by the cheese section
- Chili Powder or Smoked Paprika
- 2 Limes
- Fresh Cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a grill to medium-high heat and add the corn.
- There is no need to add salt as the cotija cheese is salty.
- Grill on each side for a few minutes until some of the kernals begin to look darker, and a little charred, as pictured above.
- Remove from the grill and immediately spread the mexican crema all over the corn.
- Sprinkle lightly with cotija cheese, chili powder and lime juice.
- Top with a little bit of the fresh cilantro and enjoy.
- Best eaten hot off the grill, so be careful not to burn yourself.
Notes
- Microwave: Place the corn in a microwave safe dish and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Set the timer for 10-20 second bursts and continue heating till corn is warm.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add butter, 1 tsp. water, salt and pepper to the corn and wrap in foil. Place in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
Nutrition
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Fresno-to-VisaliaTOFW-van-driving-Kristi :)
If you love elote you’ll love esquites even more! I just tried it the other evening in Mexico City and it was divine. It’s basically corn removed from the cob then cooked in butter (and water?) with chopped bell pepper and poblano chile pepper strips (I don’t know what else). It is served in a cup and topped with lime juice, mayo, and cotija. Stir it all up and it is delicious!
*I actually learned from friends that the version we ate in Mexico City is better than any they’ve eaten in the Puebla/Cholula area. I hope to learn how to make this version soon 🙂
Sweet Basil
That sounds absolutely amazing! I’ll have to try to figure that one out!
Nikki
How much did it cost to make this dish roughly? I love street corn, but I’ve never made it at home. Cheers!
Sweet Basil
Hey Nikki! I would say maybe $10-12 for the whole recipe if you do it in peak corn season, a little more if corn is out of season.
Nikki
Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try this and share it with my family!
run 3
It’s 897 calories for one ear of the corn? That seems very high.
Sweet Basil
That is for the whole recipe. So the 897 is for the 6-8 ears…roughly 150 calories per ear. Phew!
sheenam @ thetwincookingproject
just PERFECT!!!!! This looks so good.
Sweet Basil
You’re going to LOVE it!!
Tamara
This was fantastic! I’ve made it with mayo/butter and now this way, I far prefer this to the other! Thanks for sharing!
Sweet Basil
Thank you for the feedback Tamara! So glad you enjoyed it!
Kristen
It’s 897 calories for one ear of the corn? That seems very high.
Sweet Basil
Oh goodness no! We had some problems with our nutritional info extracting properly over the summer. I’ll have to go back and fix this one! Off the top of my head, I would guess it’s somewhere around 150 calories. Thank you for letting us know about this error!
Kristen
😂😂 oh, thank goodness!! Can’t wait to try this then!
Sweet Basil
We would love to hear what you think!!
Rocky Mountain Woman
I’ve seen something similar at the PC Farmer’s market and it’s amazing. I’ll give this one a whirl.
Thanks!
Sweet Basil
Seriously, we cannot eat it fast enough!
The Surprised Gourmet
The corn looks delicious. I agree about cooking. Experimenting is always fun and you never know what a wonderful dish you’ll create on your own until you try.
Sweet Basil
Exactly, you just have to take that first step.
LIa Avalos
I’m Mexican and this isn’t how we make elotes… We do use butter and mayo, lol. Just cause these are Mexican ingredients doesn’t mean we use them for everything.
brit
Exaxtly, Im not mexican but i grew up in southern CA. Mayo and butter at least she got the cheese right. And it’s usually boiled with the husk. Not saying theres anything wrong with this recipe but dont call it AUTHENTIC mexican its more of a twist.
Sweet Basil
Thanks for your comment Brit. This was a recipe I was taught by someone who is Mexican so I guess it just depends on the family or region. I’ll have to try the butter and mayo way asap!
Rachel
Oh friend! YUM. I simply ADORE corn and the addition of the cotija and chili powder and lime… I knew I liked you 🙂 <3
Michelle {A Recipe Junkie}
WHOA!!!!! I have to try this corn, every time I see it somewhere it makes me drool! love it 🙂
Deborah
I have seriously been grilling corn like crazy lately. This sounds SOOO good!!
mountain mama cooks
The corn looks awesome! There is a vendor at the Park City farmers market that makes a similar corn and it's one of our favorite things to treat ourselves with when we go!