About This Elote Recipe
Have you ever been to Mexico? If yes, I’m sure you’ve seen street vendors selling a variety of lip-smacking foods from their carts, including the super messy but delicious Elote.
Corn is a very simple and humble crop but has a deeply cultural and intrinsic value to the daily life of Mexicans. The people of Meso-America domesticated this crop from a type of grass called “teocintile” almost 10,000 years ago, and today, corn is grown all over the world.
Elote, meaning “an ear of corn” in Mexico, is a very popular street food that you can find all over the country. It is made with corn on the cob that is grilled or boiled, then brushed with lime juice, a creamy and tangy sauce, and sprinkled with crumbled Cotija cheese, chili powder, and freshly chopped cilantro.
In this recipe, I’ve boiled the corn and made a fantastic sauce with sour cream, mayonnaise, paprika, and garlic to slather on.
Elote can be a bit messy to eat, but every bite is the perfect combination of sweet and savory and tangy and spicy at the same time.
Easy to make and super delicious, this is the perfect appetizer or side dish for Mexican-inspired meals.
What You Need for This Elote Recipe
Ingredient Notes
- Corn: I have used fresh sweet corn on the cob.
- Sour Cream & Mayonnaise: I like to use a mix of both as they amplify the flavors and form a creamy base for the sauce.
- Seasonings: For a little bit of spiciness and smokiness, I’ve used chili powder, smoked paprika, and crushed garlic.
- Lime: The lime juice and zest give a nice tangy flavor.
- Cotija Cheese: It is a hard and salty Mexican cheese that crumbles like feta cheese. It has the perfect blend of texture and taste for this recipe.
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped cilantro brings it all together and adds a fresh flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Sour Cream & Mayonnaise: You may substitute them with Mexican Crema, which is a little bit sourer and saltier and has a thinner consistency.
- Cotija Cheese: I highly recommend using Cotija cheese, but if you can’t find it, you may substitute it with feta cheese or ricotta salata.
FAQs
Can I do this recipe with frozen corn instead of fresh?
If fresh corn is not available, you may use frozen ears of corn, but it may not be as delicious.
How can I serve this recipe?
The traditional way to serve Elote is a little bit messy, but that’s the fun of it! However, you can also serve them on a wooden skewer or cut the corn into smaller chunks. Or you may even remove the corn kernels from the cob, mix in the sauce and cheese, and serve it in cups.
What can I serve with Elote?
You may serve Elote as an appetizer or snack, or for a complete meal, serve it up with pork or pollo asado (Mexican grilled chicken), fajitas, or tacos.
Elote: Mexican Street Corn
Description
Elote, or Mexican street corn, is a traditional Mexican street food that is easy to make and super flavorful. Accompanied by a tangy, spicy sauce and a topping of cheese, it’s the perfect snack!
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
How To Make Elote Step By Step
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Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, garlic, paprika, lime zest, and cilantro in a bowl. Set aside.
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Pull down the husks from each ear of corn, but keep them still attached at the base of the stalk. Use a strip of husk to tie the folded back husks together for easy handling.
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Remove the corn silk, boil the ears of corn for approximately 30 minutes or until the corn kernels are cooked through, then let them cool slightly.
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Strain the water from the corn, and brush them all with the lime juice first, followed by the sour cream and mayonnaise sauce.
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Sprinkle with Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro, and serve!
Note
- The spicy level is mild, but you may add more or less chili powder as you wish.
- Make sure you let the corn cool slightly before brushing them with the creamy sauce to avoid having a mess on your hands.