What Is Elote?
Elote literally means “corn” in Spanish, but the name typically refers to grilled corn smothered in mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and zesty spices. It’s a popular street food in both Mexico and the United States, and is also often called Mexican street corn.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for an elote corn recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Corn – I recommend sweet corn for this elote recipe, but technically any kind will work. You can use fresh corn cobs or even thawed frozen corn. Remove the husk and silk if using fresh corn. Mayonnaise – I try to make homemade mayonnaise when I have time (it only takes 5 minutes!), but store-bought mayo would work just fine. Sour Cream – For the most classic flavor, you can also use Mexican crema. Alternatively, Greek yogurt or crème fraîche can also work. Lime Juice – Lemon juice will also work instead. Squeeze it fresh for the best flavor, but bottled works for convenience if needed. Chili Powder – This elote seasoning adds a spicy kick to the dish and brings out its flavor even more. If you like spice, substitute with ancho chile powder, cayenne pepper, or Tajin, or just add a drizzle of hot sauce at the end. Sea Salt Cilantro – Brightens up the creamy texture and smoky flavors. You can also use parsley. Cotija Cheese – This is the best cheese option and the most authentic, but you can substitute other types of cheese, such as feta cheese, queso fresco, or parmesan cheese. Each one adds a salty element to the corn, but flavors will be slightly different. Lime Wedges – You could also serve with lemon wedges with Mexican street corn.
How To Make Mexican Street Corn
This section shows how to make elote, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: If you have leftovers from this elote recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. It will last a couple days longer if you store the corn without the toppings. Reheat: Simply microwave or warm in the oven at 350 degrees F. You can also reheat elote on the grill if you didn’t add the toppings yet, or just use leftover corn to make avocado corn salad. Freeze: You can freeze boiled or grilled corn without the toppings for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight before preparing this easy Mexican street corn recipe. Avoid freezing with toppings, as the sauce will separate.
What To Serve With Mexican Street Corn
Grilled Mexican street corn pairs perfectly with just about any main dish. Give your meal an extra boost of flavor by serving it alongside Mexican-inspired or Tex-Mex favorites: I usually skip this because the mayo-based topping already adds plenty of flavor, but you can butter the corn before adding the toppings if you like. Esquites are like Mexican street corn in a cup. Just remove the corn kernels and mix with the other ingredients in individual cups.
Tacos – Pair this elote recipe with your favorite tacos. Or try zucchini taco boats, zesty taco casserole, a crisp taco salad, or even taco soup. Fajitas – For a complete meal, pair these elote corn cobs with chicken fajitas, tender shrimp fajitas, or all-in-one sheet pan fajitas. Chicken – Cilantro lime chicken or salsa chicken pair well here. These make great stovetop options if you’re cooking this Mexican street corn recipe inside, since you can make them at the same time on different burners. Or, make your corn on the grill with BBQ chicken legs. Chili & Soup – Add a burst of flavor on the side with the best chili. The flavors go surprisingly well together. Or, try them with a Mexican soup like pozole or chile verde. Grilling Recipes – While you have your grill on anyway, make some grilled chicken legs or cook up the best burgers!
More Mexican Side Dish Recipes
There are so many fresh and flavorful ways to make a Mexican-style meal! Make some of these easy dishes next: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include optional lime wedges. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle!
