Mexican Street Corn – Elote

If you’re looking for the best Mexican street corn recipe, this authentic elote is the one to start with. Sweet grilled corn is slathered in creamy Mexican crema, topped with salty cotija cheese, fresh lime juice, chili powder, and cilantro for the ultimate summer side dish.

Our kids no longer want butter on their corn, they want it Elote Mexican Street Corn style!! This street cart version of corn on the cob is the ultimate way to enjoy your grilled sweet corn!!

Traditional elote is often made with mayonnaise, but we love using Mexican crema for an even creamier, tangier flavor that feels a little lighter and lets the grilled corn shine.

What is Elote?

Elote, which means “corn cob” in Spanish, is a street food you’ll find in certain parts of Mexico. It consists of grilled corn on the cob coated in a creamy sauce, cheese, chili powder, and fresh lime juice, and it’s usually eaten right off the cob.

I’m finding myself dreaming about our trip to Mexico and all the delicious food we ate while we were there! The elote was to die for! I seriously could have eaten it at every meal! And it’s so easy to make right at home.

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.

1. Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob: Of course, summer is the peak time to grab the best corn on the cob, so head to the farmer’s market or just the grocery store and buy as many as you can!
2. Mexican Crema: A slightly soured and thickened cream, milder and less thick than American sour cream. You will find it in the specialty cheese section or the Latino refrigerated section of your grocery store.
   • TIP: If you can’t find Mexican crema, you can use mayonnaise as a substitute.
3. Cotija Cheese: 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.
4. Chili Powder or Smoked Paprika: Traditional Mexican street corn uses chili powder, but we love the smoky flavor of smoked paprika too.
   • PRO TIP: Using smoked paprika is a great way to keep the heat levels low for people who don’t do spicy (like the kiddos…and me!).
5. Limes: Fresh lime juice is an absolute must!
6. Cilantro: Adds a pop of fresh flavor.

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Can I Use Canned or Frozen Corn?

Eating the corn on the cob is the traditional way for eating elote, so canned and frozen corn obviously aren’t going to work for that. However, we have you covered! We have both a one-skillet Mexican street corn recipe and a sheet pan Mexican street corn recipe that give you all that delicious elote flavor with corn kernels instead of corn on the cob. There are instructions in both posts for using frozen corn. We basically never use canned corn if possible…haha!

How to Make This Mexican Street Corn Recipe

1. Grill the corn until lightly charred on all sides.
2. Brush each cob generously with Mexican crema.
3. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and chili powder or smoked paprika.
4. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top.
5. Finish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

For all our best grilled corn tips, check out our full grilled corn guide here.

Is Mexican Street Corn Spicy?

Mexican street corn usually has a mild kick from chili powder, but it isn’t overly spicy. If you prefer less heat, smoked paprika is a great substitute that adds smoky flavor without extra spice.

Can I Make Mexican Street Corn Without a Grill?

Yes! While the grill gives the best smoky char, you can still make delicious Mexican street corn on the stovetop or in the oven.

For both methods, start by boiling the corn with the husks removed until tender. This helps make sure the corn is fully cooked before adding that charred flavor.

For the stovetop: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add a small drizzle of oil. Cook the corn, turning often, until the kernels are lightly charred on all sides.

For the oven: Set the broiler to high and place the corn on a baking sheet. Broil for 1–2 minutes at a time, rotating the cobs until nicely charred all over.

Both methods are great alternatives when grilling isn’t an option. Once the corn is charred, finish the recipe as written with crema, cotija, lime, chili powder, and 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. These instructions are for plain corn on the cob that hasn’t been topped with all the elote toppings.

• 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 F. Add butter, 1 teaspoon of 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 in an airtight container, but it is by far the best when it is eaten fresh! It doesn’t freeze very well, so we don’t recommend that.

What to Serve with Mexican Street Corn

I could happily make this elote Mexican street corn my whole meal, but it also makes the perfect side dish for tacos, fajitas, grilled chicken, and all your favorite Mexican dinners like:

• Steak Fajitas
• Pork Carnitas
• Smothered Honey Lime Chicken Burritos
• Crock Pot Cafe Rio Copycat Chicken

If you’re building your list of must-make Mexican street corn recipes, this classic elote belongs at the very top. Sweet grilled corn, creamy crema, salty cotija, fresh lime, and smoky chili powder create the perfect bite every single time. It’s easy, unforgettable, and always the first side dish to disappear at summer BBQs.

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
• All our SIDE DISHES here!

Watch How Mexican Street Corn is Made…