Description
Sizzling Mexican street corn (elotes) brings authentic street flavor straight to your grill, capturing summer’s essence with charred kernels and zesty toppings. Creamy, tangy, and perfectly spiced, this classic street food will transport you to bustling markets of Mexico.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn:
- 7 ears yellow corn (shucked)
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Mexican crema
- 3/4 cup finely crumbled Cotija cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 3/4 teaspoon finely minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (plus more for topping)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt
- Black pepper
Sauce (Optional):
- Mexican hot sauce (such as Valentino or Tapatio)
Instructions
- Heat grill to medium-high temperature around 450-475°F, ensuring even heat distribution.
- Create a zesty cream sauce by whisking mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime zest, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Season subtly with salt and pepper, then set mixture aside.
- Position corn cobs on preheated grill with spacing between each, allowing direct heat exposure.
- Rotate corn every 3 minutes to achieve uniform charring, grilling for approximately 9 minutes total until kernels develop a deep golden-brown color.
- Remove each grilled corn cob and generously coat with prepared cream sauce using a basting brush, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle heavily with crumbled cotija cheese and additional chili powder for enhanced flavor profile.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and optional Mexican hot sauce for extra heat and complexity.
- Transfer decorated corn to serving platter, repeating process for remaining cobs.
- Adjust chili powder quantity based on individual spice preference, ranging from light dusting to bold seasoning.
Notes
- Grill corn at medium-high heat to achieve perfect char marks without burning, ensuring even caramelization and smoky flavor.
- Mix mayo and crema ahead of time to let flavors meld, creating a more complex and rich coating for the corn.
- Rotate corn every 3 minutes while grilling to prevent uneven cooking and achieve beautiful, consistent golden-brown color.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting cayenne and chili powder amounts, making the dish adaptable for different heat tolerances.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 214 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 278 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg