Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Grilled to smoky perfection, this Mexican Street Corn (Elote) is slathered in a creamy chili-lime mayo, showered with crumbly Cotija cheese and fresh cilantro, then dusted with a final kick of chili powder. It’s a bold, tangy, and irresistible side dish bursting with flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people
Calories 241 kcal
Grill or grill pan
Basting brush
Tongs
Serving plate
Knife
2 Small mixing bowls
Measuring spoons
4 ears of grilled corn on the cob ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 ½ teaspoons lime juice 2 oz Cotija cheese finely grated (about ½ cup) ½ teaspoon chili powder plus more for sprinkling 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro Pinch of cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or a pinch of fine salt
While the corn is grilling, mix the mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cayenne, and salt in a small bowl until well combined.
In another bowl, stir together the Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro and set both aside.
Once the corn is charred and cooked through, use a brush or spoon to generously coat one cob with the mayo mixture.
Hold it over a plate and sprinkle the cheese-cilantro blend liberally, rotating to coat all sides—expect a bit of mess.
Transfer the finished cob to a serving plate. Lightly dust each cob with an extra pinch or two of chili powder, and serve them warm.
Cotija cheese can be substituted with crumbled feta for a similar salty tang.
Add a touch of smoked paprika for extra depth and a hint of smokiness.