Description
This authentic Mexican street corn recipe features smoky grilled corn slathered in a creamy, tangy sauce, sprinkled with salty Cotija cheese and chili powder. It’s a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for any Mexican meal or cookout.
Ingredients
- 4–6 fresh ears of corn, husked with some silk left
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise, full-fat
- ½ cup (120 ml) Mexican crema (or sour cream as substitute)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ cup (60 g) Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (Ancho or chipotle preferred)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 205°C).
- Prep the corn by peeling back the husks without removing them completely and removing the silky threads. Fold the husks back up or remove them entirely, whichever you prefer.
- Brush the corn with melted butter all over to help with browning and flavor.
- Grill the corn for about 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes until evenly charred in spots.
- While the corn grills, mix the sauce by combining mayonnaise, Mexican crema (or sour cream), fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Once grilled, slather the sauce all over each ear of corn using a spoon or brush.
- Sprinkle the crumbled Cotija cheese all over the sauced corn.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and an extra dusting of chili powder or smoked paprika if desired.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top just before serving.
Notes
Use fresh corn for best results as grilling adds a smoky char flavor. Brushing butter before grilling is essential to avoid dry corn. Fresh lime juice is preferred over bottled for brightness. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture. Sauce can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Variations include adding chipotle chili powder for heat, swapping Cotija for feta or Parmesan, or adding crispy bacon on top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: 250
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Mexican street corn, Elote, grilled corn, authentic Mexican recipe, side dish, smoky corn, Cotija cheese, creamy sauce, chili powder