Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe

If you’re craving a snack that bursts with bold flavors and a bit of creamy, tangy goodness, you’re going to love this Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe. It’s a simple spin on a traditional Mexican street food favorite, but made without the hassle of grilling corn on the cob. I love this recipe because it’s quick, uses pantry staples like canned corn, and delivers that irresistible combination of smoky, spicy, and zesty that keeps me coming back for more.

This Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe is a perfect go-to for weeknight dinners, casual get-togethers, or even as a fun side dish at your next barbecue. Whenever I make it, the whole kitchen fills with mouthwatering aromas that get everyone excited to dig in. Plus, you’ll find that it’s super adaptable — I often tweak the spice and tanginess to suit my mood, and I’ll share those tricks with you along the way!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient works together to create that authentic street corn vibe without the fuss. When I shop for this recipe, I like to choose good-quality cotija cheese and fresh lime for that bright punch.

• Canned corn: Drained well, this saves tons of time and still tastes great when cooked in a hot skillet.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps the corn caramelize slightly for extra flavor.
• Kosher salt: To season perfectly and balance all the flavors.
• Mayonnaise: Give this a creamy texture and helps the spices stick deliciously to the corn.
• Lime juice: A zingy brightness that is essential for that classic elote taste.
• Chili powder: Divided to season the corn and sprinkle as a garnish for that gentle kick and beautiful color.
• Cotija cheese: This crumbly Mexican cheese is salty and tangy—perfect for coating the corn.
• Cilantro: Roughly chopped for freshness and a touch of herbal brightness.

Variations

I absolutely love how flexible the Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe is, so I encourage you to make it your own. Play around with the heat level or try a few different cheese options—I’ve found some fun twists along the way that I’m excited to share.

• Add extra heat: I like to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for some serious kick when we’re feeling adventurous.
• Use fresh corn: When in season, fresh corn kernels lightly cooked work beautifully in place of canned.
• Dairy-free version: Swap mayonnaise for a vegan alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of cotija for a dairy-free twist.
• Smokier flavor: I once tried adding a little smoked paprika along with chili powder for a subtly smoky punch that was fantastic.

How to Make Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Corn to Bring Out the Flavor

Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until it’s really hot—this is key to getting that slight char and smoky flavor without a grill. Add the drained canned corn and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn but gets a nice golden color. I watch carefully and give it a good stir every couple of minutes to ensure even cooking and to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Add Butter and Seasoning for Richness

As soon as the corn is toasted and smelling incredible, take the skillet off the heat and toss in your butter and a pinch or two of kosher salt. Stir until the butter melts completely, coating every kernel with that luscious, rich flavor. This step makes all the difference—don’t skip the butter!

Step 3: Mix in the Creamy, Tangy Toppings

Transfer the buttery corn to a bowl, then add mayonnaise and lime juice. Mix everything together so every bite gets that creamy, tangy pop that makes street corn so irresistible. Sprinkle in about one teaspoon of chili powder here, and stir again to evenly distribute the spice.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve Immediately

Now the fun part: top generously with crumbled cotija cheese, a little more chili powder for color and heat, and chopped cilantro for freshness. Serve it right away so everyone can enjoy the contrast between the warm corn and the cool garnishes. Trust me, it disappears fast!

How to Serve Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe

Garnishes

I swear by topping with plenty of crumbled cotija cheese and freshly chopped cilantro—they brighten every bite. Sometimes I also sprinkle a little extra chili powder for a beautiful pop of color and spice, but if you’re sharing with kids, you can go lighter on that.

Side Dishes

This Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled meats, tacos, or a crisp simple salad. One of my favorites is serving it alongside some carne asada or chicken fajitas—the creaminess and spice cut through the smoky flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love serving this in individual small bowls with tiny spoons so everyone can dig in easily without a mess. Another trick is layering it in a clear glass trifle bowl for a festive display that shows off all the colorful toppings—always a hit visually and taste-wise!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover Mexican street corn in an airtight container in the fridge, but I prefer eating it within a day so it stays creamy and fresh. The mayo and lime mixture can break down a bit over time, so it’s best enjoyed soon after making.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t ideal for this recipe because the mayonnaise and cheese don’t freeze well and tend to separate or get grainy upon thawing. I recommend making just enough to enjoy fresh every time.

Reheating

If you have leftovers, reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat just until warmed through—avoid the microwave if possible to keep the corn from drying out. You might want to add a little extra fresh lime juice and sprinkle more cheese after reheating to refresh the flavors.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe always feels like bringing a little fiesta into my kitchen, no matter the day or occasion. I love how easy it is to throw together and how everyone immediately brightens up after their first bite. If you try it out, I’m confident you’ll find it becomes one of your go-to comfort side dishes too—whether it’s a solo snack or part of a big celebration. Seriously, give it a whirl and enjoy every delicious mouthful!

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