Description
Homemade Mexican Street Corn, also known as Elote, is a flavorful and easy-to-make snack or side dish featuring grilled and steamed corn ears slathered in a zesty creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, and Mexican cheese. This authentic recipe highlights smoky, tangy, and savory elements perfect for summertime grilling or any casual meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Corn
- 5 ears of corn
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or Tajin
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup Mexican cheese (such as cotija or queso fresco)
Instructions
- Preheat and Grill the Corn: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the corn directly on the grill grates and cook, turning occasionally, until the kernels are charred in spots and tender, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Steam the Corn: While some kernels are getting grilled for smoky flavor, steam the ears of corn in a large pot with about an inch of water at the bottom. Cover the pot and steam until the corn is tender, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
- Brush with Butter: Once the corn is cooked and still hot, use a brush to coat each ear with melted butter evenly to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder or Tajin, lime juice, and Mexican cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended into a creamy sauce.
- Coat the Corn: Generously brush or spoon the prepared sauce over each buttered ear of corn, ensuring they are fully coated for maximum flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top as a fresh garnish and serve the Mexican street corn immediately while warm and flavorful.
Notes
- For an extra smoky flavor, grill the corn a bit longer until more charred spots appear.
- If you don’t have a grill, steaming and then roasting in a hot oven can provide a similar texture.
- Tajin can be substituted with chili powder if unavailable, but Tajin adds a tangy, citrusy kick.
- The Mexican cheese used can be crumbled cotija or queso fresco for authenticity.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the mayonnaise and cheese are vegetarian-friendly.
