Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe
A flavorful rendition of Mexican street corn featuring tender sweet corn kernels tossed in a creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce, topped with crumbly cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, chili powder, and a zesty lime wedge. This easy stovetop recipe captures the essence of traditional Mexican elote in a convenient cup format perfect for quick snacks or appetizers.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Corn
- 1 pound (450 g) frozen corn
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce, or to taste
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Lime salt, optional, to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 cup (65 g) cotija cheese or queso fresco, crumbled
- 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
- Chili powder, to taste
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Boil water with sugar: Bring 240 ml of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Add the granulated sugar and stir until it is fully dissolved, creating a subtly sweet base for the corn.
- Cook the corn: Add the frozen corn to the boiling water. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the corn simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the kernels are heated through and tender.
- Make the sauce: While the corn simmers, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, sriracha sauce, kosher salt, and lime salt (if using) in a bowl. Stir the ingredients until they form a uniform, creamy sauce.
- Drain and cool corn: Once the corn is cooked, drain it thoroughly and return it to the pan. Allow the corn to cool for about 3 minutes, which helps blend the flavors when mixed with the sauce.
- Toss corn with sauce: Fold the sriracha-mayo mixture into the warm corn, ensuring that all kernels are evenly coated with the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Divide the dressed corn among four serving cups. Top each with crumbled cotija cheese, freshly chopped cilantro, a sprinkle of chili powder, and a wedge of lime for squeezing. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh corn in season for a sweeter, more vibrant flavor in place of frozen if desired.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha sauce to control the spice level according to your taste.
- Lime salt adds an extra layer of tanginess and saltiness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure that the cotija cheese used is vegetarian-friendly or substitute with a similar vegetarian cheese.
- This recipe can be served warm or at room temperature, but serving immediately after preparation yields the best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Mexican street corn, elote, corn recipe, snack, Mexican appetizer, cotija cheese, creamy corn, spicy corn, sriracha sauce
Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/mexican-street-corn-elote-recipe/
