Description
Elotes, or Mexican street corn, is a vibrant and flavorful grilled corn recipe featuring a creamy, tangy mayonnaise and Mexican crema sauce, zesty lime, and a sprinkle of spicy chili powder and crumbled Cotija cheese. This quick and easy street food favorite is perfect for summer barbecues or as a delicious side dish, offering a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors.
Ingredients
Grilled Corn
- 7 ears yellow corn, shucked
Sauce and Toppings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Mexican crema
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
- 3/4 tsp finely minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp chili powder, plus more for topping
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3/4 cup finely crumbled Cotija cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
- Mexican hot sauce (such as Valentino or Tapatio), for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature between 450°F to 475°F. This high heat is essential for charring the corn evenly.
- Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime zest, lime juice, finely minced garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set this creamy mixture aside for later use.
- Grill the corn: Once the grill reaches the desired temperature, place the shucked corn ears directly on the grill grates, spacing them apart. Grill the corn for about 9 minutes in total, turning every 3 minutes to ensure they char evenly on all sides.
- Brush with sauce and add toppings: Working with one ear at a time, generously brush the grilled corn on all sides with the mayonnaise mixture using a basting brush. Immediately sprinkle the corn with crumbled Cotija cheese and a pinch of chili powder. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and drizzle with Mexican hot sauce to taste.
- Serve: Transfer the prepared corn to a serving platter or baking sheet. Repeat the brushing and topping process with the remaining ears of corn. Serve the elotes warm and enjoy the authentic flavors of this Mexican street food classic.
Notes
- If you don’t have Mexican crema, you can substitute with sour cream mixed with a little lime juice for a similar tang.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper to control the heat level to your preference.
- Using fresh lime zest and juice is key to achieving the bright citrus flavor in the sauce.
- For an indoor option, corn can be grilled on a grill pan or broiled in the oven, but grilling outdoors provides the best smoky char.
- Elotes are best served immediately while warm and fresh for optimal taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
