YumVerseEats
Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Smoky grilled corn with creamy sauce, salty cotija, chili, and lime — a bold side for weeknight dinners.
RECIPE AT A GLANCE
15
min
Active Time
25
min
Total Time
4
SERVINGS
Grill
METHOD
Why It Works
Grilling the corn adds instant flavor, and the topping comes together in minutes.
Quick Fixes
Corn not charring: Grill on high heat and leave undisturbed for 2–3 minutes per side.
Topping sliding off: Apply mayo and sour cream while corn is hot so the cheese and seasoning adhere.
Ingredients
Vegetables
Sauce
Seasoning
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Topping
• ⅓ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1 lime cut in wedges (or 1 tbsp fresh lime juice)
• 2 green onions (sliced, whites and greens separated)
How to Make It
1
No Grill? You can use a cast-iron skillet on high heat or roast them in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes.
2
Brush the corn generously with the mayonnaise and sour cream mixture on all sides. The heat will melt it slightly into the kernels.
3
Coat: Sprinkle the crumbled Cotija cheese all over the corn (or roll the corn on a plate of cheese for full coverage).
4
Spice: Dust the top with chili powder.
5
Garnish: Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Store
Best eaten fresh. Store leftover corn in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
Reheat
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MORE READER FAVORITES
10
min active
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35
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30
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20
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35
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Avo's Tip
Turn the corn frequently so it chars evenly without burning.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you start cooking.
• Fresh or frozen corn?
Both work; fresh in season adds the most sweetness, frozen is great year-round.
• Is it spicy?
Mild to medium; add cayenne or hot sauce for more heat.
• What does it pair with?
Serve it alongside blackened fish, chicken, or sausage.
Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Ingredients
—
—
4 ears corn, husked
—
—
2 tbsp mayonnaise
—
—
1 tsp chili powder
—
—
2 tbsp sour cream
—
—
⅓ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
—
—
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
—
—
1 lime cut in wedges (or 1 tbsp fresh lime juice)
—
—
2 green onions (sliced, whites and greens separated)
Instructions
1
No Grill? You can use a cast-iron skillet on high heat or roast them in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes.
2
Brush the corn generously with the mayonnaise and sour cream mixture on all sides. The heat will melt it slightly into the kernels.
3
Coat: Sprinkle the crumbled Cotija cheese all over the corn (or roll the corn on a plate of cheese for full coverage).
4
Spice: Dust the top with chili powder.
5
Garnish: Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
15
min
active
25
min
total
4
servings
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