Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe: Your Guide to Perfect Grilled Corn
Try this authentic Mexican street corn—Elote. Grilled until perfectly charred, then tossed in a sour chili-lemon cream, sprinkled with crumbly cotija cheese, and finished with a slice of fresh lemon—it’s the best summer side dish you never knew you needed.
Known as Elote in Mexico, this iconic street food is a staple at festivals, street corners, and backyard barbecues. It’s the perfect combination of sweet grilled corn, creamy sauce, lime, and a touch of spice that will amaze you with every bite.
The best part? This easy elote recipe takes just 20 minutes from grill to table—and you don’t need a street cart to make it at home in Mexico City. This grilled Mexican corn recipe is a crowd-pleaser, especially for a Cinco de Mayo side dish. In this post, you will learn how to make Authentic Mexican Street Corn.
🌽 What Is Elote? (Mexican Street Corn)
Elote is the Spanish word for “corn on the cob,” and in Mexico, it represents much more than just a side dish. Mexican Street Corn, or elote, is a popular street food traditionally served on a stick or with the husk peeled back as a handle, then grilled to smoky perfection and slathered in a zesty, creamy chili-lime sauce. It’s then generously sprinkled with cotija cheese, chili powder, and fresh cilantro, making every bite a bold explosion of flavor.
You’ll often find elote sold by local vendors across Mexico at parks, street corners, and food markets — it’s an integral part of the country’s culinary street culture. This authentic elote recipe brings that same irresistible, smoky, tangy corn experience to your home grill, using just a few ingredients! You can see this in India also.
Elote vs. Esquites: While elote is served on the cob, esquites is the off-the-cob version, served in a cup with all the same delicious toppings.
Want to dive deeper into the origins of elote and its role in Mexican cuisine? Visit this excellent cultural breakdown from Wikipedia: Elote – Mexican Street Corn.
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🌽 Reasons To Love This Authentic Elote Recipe
This Mexican street corn (elote) is more than just grilled corn on the cob—it’s a flavor explosion of smoky, tangy, creamy, and spicy goodness! Whether you’re planning a summer BBQ, Taco Tuesday, or a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, this side dish is guaranteed to steal the show.
Smoky & Grilled Perfection
Charred to smoky goodness for that authentic street flavor.
Ready in 20 Minutes
Quick and easy recipe made with just a handful of ingredients.
Bold, Zesty Flavors
Loaded with chili-lime crema, Cotija cheese, and fresh lime juice.
Gluten-Free & Vegetarian
Naturally suitable for many dietary lifestyles—no fuss, all flavor.
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🌽 Simple Ingredients for Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
This grilled elote recipe is made with easy-to-find ingredients that pack huge flavor.
-
🌽 Fresh Corn on the Cob
Sweet and juicy – the star of every authentic elote recipe. -
🧴 Mayonnaise
Adds rich creaminess and helps toppings stick to the corn. -
🥛 Mexican Crema or Sour Cream
Slightly tangy – balances the heat and enhances the flavor. -
🧀 Cotija Cheese
Salty and crumbly – the traditional cheese used in Mexican elote. -
🍋 Fresh Lime Juice
Brightens the flavor and cuts through the richness. -
🌶️ Chili Powder
Brings just the right amount of smoky heat. -
🧄 Minced Garlic
Optional but adds depth and a delicious kick. -
🌿 Chopped Fresh Cilantro
For garnish – adds freshness and a pop of color. -
🍈 Lime Wedges
Serve on the side for extra zing!
💡 Want to learn more about Cotija cheese and how it compares to feta? Check out this expert guide from The Wikipedia.
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🌽 How to Make Elote (Mexican Street Corn) – Step-by-Step
Making authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote) at home is surprisingly easy and bursting with bold flavors. Follow these simple steps to create the best grilled corn with chili-lime crema and cotija cheese. Perfect for cookouts, BBQs, or Taco Tuesday!
Step 1: Grill the Corn
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place husked ears of fresh corn directly on the grates and grill for 10–12 minutes, rotating every few minutes until charred and tender.
Step 2: Prepare the Chili-Lime Sauce
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, Mexican crema or sour cream, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of chili powder or smoked paprika. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Slather the Sauce
Once grilled, use a basting brush or spoon to generously coat each corn cob with the chili-lime crema sauce while it’s still hot.
Step 4: Add the Cotija Cheese
Roll or sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the sauced corn. Make sure the cheese sticks well to the creamy layer.
Step 5: Sprinkle & Garnish
Sprinkle extra chili powder or tajín on top. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges for that final zesty finish.
🔥 Tip: Serve immediately for the most authentic, smoky, and creamy flavor. Elote is best enjoyed hot off the grill!
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🔥 Expert Tips for the Best Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Want to make your grilled Mexican street corn (elote) taste just like the ones from Mexico’s vibrant street vendors? These pro tips will help you achieve the bold, creamy, smoky, and irresistible flavor that makes elote one of the most beloved Mexican street foods ever.
- 🌽Use fresh, in-season corn on the cob — it’s naturally sweeter and more tender, which makes all the difference.
- 🔥Char the corn directly on the grill grates for that signature smoky, slightly crisp elote flavor.
- 🧀Use crumbled Cotija cheese — a salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that’s key to an authentic elote recipe. Can’t find Cotija? Use feta cheese or grated Parmesan as backup options.
- 🌶️Sprinkle with chili powder, tajín, or smoked paprika to enhance the spice level and flavor depth of your grilled elote.
- 🍋Always finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice — it adds brightness and balances the richness of the crema and cheese.
- 🧂Don’t over-salt — Cotija cheese already adds plenty of saltiness, so taste before adding more.
- 👨🍳For vegan elote, use vegan mayo, plant-based sour cream, and dairy-free feta or nutritional yeast for a cheesy touch.
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🌽 Ingredient Substitutions & Flavor Variations for Elote
🌱 Vegan Elote
Swap mayo and sour cream with vegan mayo and dairy-free crema or yogurt. Use plant-based cotija-style cheese (or nutritional yeast for a cheesy kick).
🔥 No Grill? No Problem!
No outdoor grill? You can still enjoy smoky elote by using a cast iron grill pan on the stove or broiling your corn in the oven until charred.
🥣 Turn It into Esquites (Corn Salad)
Prefer a spoonable version? Cut grilled corn off the cob and mix with crema, lime, and spices to make esquites, the beloved Mexican street corn salad.
🌶️ Spicy Chili-Lime Elote
Crank up the heat with a dash of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or tajín seasoning for an extra kick. Top with chopped jalapeños for bold flavor lovers!
🧀 Extra Toppings & Add-Ons
Customize your elote with crumbled bacon, chopped scallions, smoked paprika, or even avocado. Don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and extra lime juice!
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🌽 What to Serve With Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Thinking what goes well with elote? Mexican street corn is a bold, zesty side dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of mains and party favorites. For a summer cookout, a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, or a casual taco night, here are the best ways to serve your grilled corn on the cob with cotija cheese and chili lime crema.
🌮 Tacos & Fajitas
Pair your elote with carne asada tacos, chicken fajitas, or shrimp tacos for the ultimate Mexican feast.
🍗 Grilled Meats
Elote is the perfect companion to grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, burgers, or spicy Mexican sausages like chorizo.
🍹 Mexican Beverages
Sip on margaritas, micheladas, or a refreshing glass of agua fresca to cool down the heat of the chili-lime elote.
🥗 Party Platters
Slice elote into smaller cob sections and serve as fun appetizers or alongside Mexican party platters.
👉 For a complete meal, serve your authentic elote with classic sides like Mexican rice, black beans, or even a hearty elote salad (esquites)!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Yes, you can prep your elote in advance by grilling the corn ahead of time and refrigerating it. Just reheat the corn on the grill or oven and slather it with the chili lime crema, cotija cheese, and toppings right before serving. It’s the perfect make-ahead side for summer BBQs!
Cotija cheese is the traditional and most authentic choice for Mexican street corn. It’s salty, crumbly, and pairs perfectly with lime and chili powder. If you can’t find cotija, feta cheese or even finely grated Parmesan are great substitutes.
Authentic elote is naturally gluten-free since it’s made from fresh corn, crema or mayo, cotija cheese, and spices. Just double-check any store-bought seasonings or hot sauces to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
Yes! If you don’t have access to a grill, you can easily make oven-roasted Mexican street corn by broiling the corn on high until it develops a nice char. You can also use a stovetop grill pan or even boil the corn for a simpler method (though it won’t have that smoky flavor).
Don’t like mayo? No problem! You can substitute it with Mexican crema, sour cream, or even Greek yogurt for a lighter twist. All of these provide that creamy base that helps the cheese and spices stick to the corn.
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Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe
Elote is a classic Mexican street food consisting of grilled corn, smothered in a creamy, sour, cheesy sauce and topped with a sprinkle of chili for the perfect flavor. It's smoky, delicious, and absolutely irresistible! Elote, or Mexican street corn, is the best way to enjoy fresh summer corn. Grilled to smoky perfection and smothered in a creamy, cheesy, chili-lime sauce, it's an easy and addictive dish. Perfect for barbecues, parties, or any casual meal, it packs the bold flavors of Mexican street food into every bite.
Ingredients
- 4 ears of fresh corn, husked
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Mexican crema (or sour cream as substitute)
- ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta cheese if unavailable)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Salt, to taste
- Butter or oil, for grilling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Grill:
Heat your grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. - Grill the Corn:
Place the husked corn directly on the grill grates. Turn occasionally until charred and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes total. Lightly brush with oil or butter if desired. - Prepare the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Mexican crema, minced garlic, and lime juice. Season with a little salt. - Slather the Corn:
Once corn is cooked and slightly cooled, brush each ear with the creamy mixture while warm. - Add the Toppings:
Generously sprinkle with cotija cheese, chili powder, and paprika (if using). Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- Char for Flavor: Don’t be afraid to let the corn develop some dark spots—it adds to the authentic flavor.
- Make it Spicier: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few drops of hot sauce for a spicier kick.
- Cotija Substitute: If cotija cheese is hard to find, feta or Parmesan works as a close alternative.
- Crema Substitute: Sour cream mixed with a splash of milk or Greek yogurt can substitute for Mexican crema.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair it with tacos, grilled meats, or a chilled margarita.
- Cut the kernels off the cob to make Esquites (Mexican corn salad).
- Serve as a starter at BBQs or alongside carne asada or grilled chicken.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 264Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 482mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g
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