Authentic Elote Recipe (Grilled Mexican Street Corn)

Name: Authentic Elote Recipe (Grilled Mexican Street Corn)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 6 ears of corn (husks and silk removed); 2 tbsp melted butter (or olive oil); ½ cup mayonnaise; ½ cup sour cream; ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta cheese); 1 tsp chili powder; ¼ tsp ground cumin; ¼ tsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp lime juice (juice from 1 lime); ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)

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Get ready to bring the flavors of Mexico to your kitchen with this Authentic Elote recipe, also known as Grilled Mexican Street Corn. Covered in a creamy sauce with tangy lime juice and smoky chili powder, this charred grilled corn on the cob is the perfect summer side dish or appetizer.

Authentic elote corn on a sheet pan, garnished with chopped cilantro.

Now that the warmer days have finally arrived, I am cooking as much as I can outside on my grill.

And I'm excited to share with you my favorite recipe for Mexican Elote cooked on an outdoor grill - and any grill will work! It doesn't matter if it is a Traeger grill, Pit Boss grill, gas grill, or charcoal grill.

This dish is one of Mexico's most popular street foods - (which is sold by street vendors) - and has become a beloved side dish in the United States.

This simple recipe is the perfect addition to any Mexican-inspired meal and will surely be a hit at your next summer dinner or Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Simply grill the corn for that perfect smoky char flavor, slather with a mayo and sour cream mixture, and sprinkle with your favorite toppings.

While traditional Elote typically uses cotija cheese, a crumbly and salty Mexican cheese, you can also use feta, parmesan, or even grated cheddar for a twist.

Typically enjoyed as street food in Mexico, Elote is a fantastic way to elevate your summer barbecue or party.

Impress your guests with this simple yet sophisticated dish, which perfectly captures the flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine.

Easy to make and bursting with bold and fresh flavors, it is the perfect side dish for summer dinners.

For more Mexican-inspired recipes, check out 30+ Best Cinco De Mayo Party Recipes.

And if you are looking for another corn-on-the-cob recipe - you're in luck! I have Smoked Corn on the Cob (Traeger) and Smoked Corn on the Cob in Foil!

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💗 Why You Will Love This Authentic Elote Recipe
🌽 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
♨️ How To Make Authentic Elote Recipe
💭 Expert Tips
🧾 Recipe FAQs
🥗 What To Serve With Elote
🌮 More Mexican Recipes You'll Love
📋 Recipe
💬 Comments

💗 Why You Will Love This Authentic Elote Recipe

Easy recipe: This easy street corn recipe is easy to make - and cooks in about 15 minutes!
Authentic Mexican flavor: Elote is a popular and beloved street food in Mexico, and this recipe captures the bold and fresh flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine.
Perfect for summer grilling: The grilled corn in this recipe adds a delicious smoky flavor that's perfect for a summer barbecue or party.
Vegetarian and vegan-friendly: This recipe can easily be made vegetarian or vegan by using vegan mayonnaise or sour cream and vegan cheese.
Quick and easy side dish: Elote is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with various summer meals, from Smoked Brisket to Smoked Salmon.
Simple ingredients: All the ingredients used in this recipe are simple and easy to find.
Impressive for entertaining: Despite its simplicity, Elote is an impressive and sophisticated dish that will wow guests at any summer gathering.
Kid-friendly: Kids love grilled corn on the cob, and Elote is no exception. This recipe is sure to be a hit with the little ones too!

🌽 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

To make this delicious recipe, you'll need just a few simple ingredients that can easily be found at your local grocery store.

The ingredients for authentic elote measured out and placed on a wooden table.

Corn, husks removed: Fresh sweet corn cobs are the base of this recipe, and using fresh ingredients always makes for the best taste. Just make sure to remove the husks and the corn silk. This recipe will work for six to eight ears of corn.
Melted butter is rubbed on the corn before grilling. You can also use olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise helps to bind the toppings to the corn and provides a creamy layer. You can use vegan mayonnaise instead.
Sour cream adds a tangy flavor and creates a creamy texture. You can also use plain Greek yogurt, or vegan sour cream.
Cotija cheese is a crumbly and salty cheese traditionally used in Elote. If you can't find salty Cotija cheese, feta cheese, queso fresco, or even grated parmesan cheese will work well.
Chili powder adds a smoky and spicy touch, which balances well with the creaminess of the mayonnaise and sour cream. If you don't have chili powder on hand, you can create a substitute using paprika, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Cumin: Cumin is a spice commonly used in Mexican cuisine and adds a warm earthy flavor to the Elote. You can substitute ground coriander or smoked paprika for cumin.
Lime wedges: Fresh lime juice provides an acidic balance to the dish, cutting through the creaminess and enhancing the other flavors. You can use lemon juice as a substitute if you don't have lime.
Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish: Fresh cilantro adds a bright and herbaceous flavor to the dish and a pop of color. If you don't like cilantro, you can use chopped parsley or green onions.

See the printable recipe card for quantities and a full list of ingredients.

♨️ How To Make Authentic Elote Recipe

Follow these easy step-by-step instructions for the perfect Elote:

To get started, preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat - about 400 degrees F.

While the grill is heating up, husk the corn cobs and remove the silk. Rinse the corn with cold water and pat dry.

Brush each ear of corn with melted butter.

A hand brushing on melted butter on the corn on the cob with a red basting brush.

Place corn directly on the grill grates and grill corn for about 15-20 minutes, rotating every few minutes, until the kernels are lightly charred.

The buttered corn placed directly on the grill grates of a pellet grill.

The corn on the cob when it is done being grilled on the pellet grill.

While the corn is grilling, prepare the creamy mayo sauce by mixing together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Mix until well combined and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.

The ingredients for the creamy mayo mixture in a small glass bowl.

The ingredients for the creamy mayo mixture combined in a small glass bowl.

Once the corn is done, remove it from the grill with tongs and place it on a serving platter. Spread the creamy mayo mixture over each ear of corn. Then, sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese or feta cheese over the mayonnaise mixture.

A red brush brushing the creamy mayo mixture on the cooked corn cobs.

The cooked corn cobs with the mayo mixture on them and the crumbled Cojita cheese sprinkled on top.

Finally, sprinkle chopped cilantro on top. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Enjoy!

The grilled mexican corn on a sheet pan, with crumbled cheese and chopped cilantro in bowls beside it.

💭 Expert Tips

Grill over medium-high heat: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 425°F, to get that perfect char.
Leave the stem on: Leave a small stem on the corn to make it easier to handle and eat.
Brush with butter: Brush the corn with melted butter before grilling to prevent sticking and achieve that perfect char.
Slather with mayo and sour cream mixture: Slather the mayo mixture evenly on the corn while still hot to create a creamy coating.
Crumbled cheese is king: Crumble the cotija cheese on the corn after slathering it with the mayo mixture. Crumbling the cheese creates more surface area, allowing it to fully coat the corn.
Squeeze fresh lime juice: Squeeze more fresh lime juice over the corn immediately before serving to brighten the flavors.
Garnish with cilantro: Garnish the Elote with fresh cilantro, chopped finely, to add a pop of color and fresh flavor.

🧾 Recipe FAQs

Is there something I can use instead of Cotija cheese?

Feta cheese, queso fresco, or grated parmesan cheese can all be used instead of Cotija cheese.

How do I know when the corn is ready to be removed from the grill?

The corn should be nicely browned and charred, with a slight tenderness when you poke it with a fork. This should take about 15-20 minutes of grilling on medium-high heat.

Can I use different spices in this recipe?

Absolutely! Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or cayenne pepper to add your own twist to the dish. If you like a bit of a kick, you can add a dash of hot sauce or chopped poblano pepper.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can make this recipe vegan by using olive oil, vegan mayonnaise or sour cream, and vegan cheese.

How do you store leftover Mexican grilled corn?

To store leftover Elote, leftovers can be wrapped in aluminum foil or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350 F or on a grill, wrapped, for about 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, remove the kernels, sour cream mixture, and seasoning from the cob and store them in a covered container for 2 to 3 days.

The elote corn on a sheet pan with crumbled Cojita cheese and chopped cilantro.

🥗 What To Serve With Elote

Here are some dishes that pair well with Elote:

These dishes complement the smoky and savory flavors of Authentic Elote, making for a well-rounded and delicious meal.

🌮 More Mexican Recipes You'll Love

If you're looking for an easy and delicious recipe this summer, this Mexican Elote recipe is definitely one to try!

It's the perfect way to take fresh corn to the next level, so give it a try and let me know what you think!

If you like this post on this Authentic Elote Recipe (Grilled Mexican Corn), please take a moment to rate the recipe 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and leave a comment below with your thoughts!