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Flavorful Elote Recipe Easy Mexican Street Corn with Cotija and Lime

Flavorful Elote - featured image

A quick and easy Mexican street corn recipe featuring smoky grilled corn coated with a tangy mayo and sour cream sauce, topped with salty Cotija cheese and fresh lime juice. Perfect for summer gatherings and packed with bold, fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400°F (205°C), for 5-7 minutes.
  2. Husk the ears of corn and remove silk. Brush each ear lightly with melted butter.
  3. Place ears directly on the grill. Turn every 2-3 minutes to char all sides evenly, about 10-12 minutes total until golden brown with some blackened spots.
  4. While the corn cooks, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Using a spoon or pastry brush, spread the mayo mixture evenly over the hot corn quickly so it sticks well.
  6. Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese generously over the coated corn and finish with chopped cilantro if using.
  7. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

Notes

If the mayo mixture is too thick, add a teaspoon of lime juice or water to thin it for better spreading. Turn the corn regularly to ensure even charring. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute vegan mayo, coconut yogurt, and vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. Can also roast corn in a 425°F oven for 15-20 minutes if no grill is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote, Mexican street corn, cotija cheese, lime, grilled corn, summer recipe, easy snack, BBQ side dish