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Whenever we go back to my husband’s hometown for any of the summer holidays – Flag Day, July 4th, or Labor Day – there is always a little taco cart sitting at the park with the rest of the food trucks.
This one cart always a line stretching out in front and around the corner with people waiting to get their mitts on classic street tacos, burritos, and grilled Mexican street corn (elotes) slathered in sauce.
When we are far away from the lively celebrations of his hometown, my husband and I can relive the fun by grilling corn on the grill and making our own version of Mexican street corn in just a few minutes. The charred kernels and the tangy sauce really make this different from your everyday corn on the cob.
VIDEO! How to Make Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
Swaps & Substitutions for Mexican Corn
- Mexican crema: Look for crema alongside the sour cream or with the cheeses at your grocery store. If you aren’t able to find it, by all means, use regular sour cream. Crema is a little thinner than sour cream and has added salt, which makes it extra divine. It’s usually what we keep in our house now!
- Cotija cheese: If cotija isn’t available, feel free to omit it, or just use grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese instead.
How to Eat Mexican Street Corn
There is absolutely no way to eat this messy corn on the cob delicately, but usually you’re not alone since half of the other people gathering for the event are equally covered in it as well. Small town events, and their street cart food, mean that summer is really here!
From the editors of Simply Recipes
What to Pair with Mexican Street Corn
Grilled Mexican corn makes any backyard barbecue into a party. Try pairing it with some of these dishes:
- Carne Asada
- Fish Tacos
- Red Chile Marinated Grilled Chicken
- Flank Steak with Orange and Avocado Salsa
- Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken
More Favorite Summer Corn Recipes!
Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Recipe
If you aren’t able to find traditional Mexican crema in your local grocery store, by all means, use regular sour cream. You can also substitute grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta for the cotija.
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 minced cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons lime zest, from one lime
- 2 tablespoon lime juice, from one lime
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- Lime wedges, to serve
Method
1 Heat a gas or charcoal grill to 400F. Clean the grates once it has heated.
2 Whisk together the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the crema, mayonnaise, cilantro, garlic, chipotle pepper, lime zest and lime juice. Taste and season the mixture with salt if needed. (Crema has a little salt already, so add extra judiciously.) Set aside.
3 Grill the corn: Place the husked corn directly onto grill grates. Grill the corn for about 3 minutes, undisturbed, or until kernels begin to turn golden brown and look charred. Turn over and repeat. When all sides are browned, remove from the grill onto a plate.
4 Top the corn with sauce and cheese: Using a brush or a spoon, coat each ear of corn with the crema mixture. Sprinkle with crumbled cojita cheese. Sprinkle with additional chipotle pepper, if desired. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.
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Megan Keno, is the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind the nationally recognized food blog Country Cleaver. Her work has been featured in Country Living Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, America’s Test Kitchen, The Kitchn, and on The Pioneer Woman’s Tasty Kitchen Blog.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
I made this as a side dish for chicken fajitas. Super simple and tasty meal. This is an absolutely delicious recipe. The sauce was delish on the fajitas too. It came out better than any street corn I have ever had.
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Had Mexican Street Corn at the Water Pig in Pensacola Fl, and was craving when I got home. This recipe is as close as it gets! Absolutely delicious flavor. Had to substituted Cayenne pepper because didn’t have Chipotle pepper.. The combo of mayo and sour cream with garlic and lime takes an ear of corn to to a new level. Had to find cheese at a local latino marker…not sold at most grocery stores
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Amazing! A new family favourite.
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I forgot the cheese at the end but it had fantastic flovor
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Is it Mexican crema table cream or sour cream. I’ve seen a brand with both but don’t know the difference.
The pourable Mexican crema is what you want here–I believe the table cream. It has the consistency of thin sour cream or extra-thick heavy cream. Hope that helps!