---
title: "Elote (Mexican Street Corn)"
slug: "elote"
date: "2026-02-10"
lastUpdated: "2026-02-13"
category: "mexican"
tags: ["mexican"]
cookTime: 60
prepTime: 5
servings: 8
author: "jake"
description: "Classic Mexican street corn featuring grilled corn on the cob or in a cup."
featured: false
display: true
displayPhoto: "./assets/elote.jpg"
---

<RecipeCard>

## Photos
![Elote](./assets/elote.jpg)
*Elote*

## Ingredients
- 6-8 medium ears of corn, husks removed
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- 1/2 cup finely crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
- 1 medium clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (ancho or guajillo recommended), plus more for serving
- 1 lime, cut into wedges

## Instructions
1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
2. While the grill heats, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the **mayonnaise**, **crema** (or sour cream), 1/2 cup of **cotija cheese**, minced **cilantro**, **garlic**, and 1/2 teaspoon of **chili powder**. Mix well until combined.
3. Grill the **corn**, turning occasionally, until it's cooked through and charred in spots, which should take about 10 minutes.
4. Once the corn is grilled, immediately brush a generous layer of the creamy sauce mixture onto all sides of each cob.
5. Sprinkle the coated corn with additional **cotija cheese** and a dusting of **chili powder**.
6. Serve immediately with **lime** wedges for squeezing over the corn just before eating.
You can achieve a similar result by broiling the corn in your oven or carefully charring it over a gas stove flame. Be sure to turn it frequently for even cooking and char.

## Notes
### Ingredient Selection
- Cotija is a salty, crumbly Mexican cheese. If you can't find it, a dry feta or even grated Parmesan can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Lime is great on top but don't add it during the mixing process. It makes the elote a bit funky if meal prepping or sitting out a long time.
- Avoid adding salt, as you get saltiness from the mayo and from your toppings.

### Topping Selection
- Tajin is elite as an Elote topping.

### No Grill? No Problem!
- You can achieve a similar result by broiling the corn in your oven or carefully charring it over a gas stove flame. Be sure to turn it frequently for even cooking and char.

## References
- Reference Recipe **[HERE](https://www.seriouseats.com/mexican-street-corn-elotes-recipe)**
</RecipeCard>