Description
Transform your summer grilling with Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)! This iconic Mexican street food combines smoky grilled corn with a creamy, tangy sauce, zesty lime, and crumbled cotija cheese for a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Perfect as a side, snack, or party appetizer, elotes are easy to make and even easier to love.
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 medium ears sweet corn, husks removed
- 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest (from 1 lime)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 lime)
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the grill:
Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to 400°F. Clean the grill grates thoroughly to prevent sticking. - Make the crema sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the crema, mayonnaise, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, ground chipotle pepper, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt if needed. Set aside.
- Grill the corn:
- Place the husked corn directly onto the grill grates.
- Let the corn cook for about 3 minutes on each side until it becomes slightly charred and golden brown. Turn frequently to ensure even charring on all sides.
- Remove the grilled corn from the heat and place it on a serving plate.
- Assemble the elotes:
- Using a brush or spoon, generously coat each ear of corn with the prepared crema sauce.
- Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese evenly over the corn.
- For an extra kick, dust with additional chipotle pepper.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Serve the elotes immediately with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the corn for a tangy finish.
Notes
- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest sweet corn and limes you can find for the best flavor.
- Substitutions: If you can’t find cotija cheese, substitute with Parmesan or feta.
- Spice Levels: Adjust the chipotle pepper to your desired spice level. For a milder version, omit the pepper altogether.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the crema sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Grill the corn just before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Snack
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican