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)

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.

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I love recreating my favorite Mexican street food at home. Some of my favorites are Elote en Vaso and this easy Elote Dip to get all the flavors of Mexican street corn in one bowl! They go great with Authentic Carnitas Tacos.

This Elote, or grilled Mexican corn, is easy to make and a great addition to any summer dinner or Cinco de Mayo party. To get a perfect smoky char, you can use any grill—a Traeger grill, Pit Boss grill, gas grill, or charcoal grill. For an easy make-ahead option, make Mexican street corn salad.

And if you are looking for more corn-on-the-cob recipes, don't miss my Traeger Smoked Corn on the Cob, Smoked Corn on the Cob in Foil, and 30+ Best Cinco De Mayo Party Recipes.

💗 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!
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 On Electric Smoker to Pellet Grill Smoked Salmon.
Simple ingredients: All the ingredients used in this recipe are simple and easy to find.
Kid-friendly: Kids love grilled corn on the cob, and Elote is no exception. This recipe will surely be a hit with the little ones, too!

🌽 Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

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. 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. 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, use feta cheese, queso fresco, or grated parmesan cheese.
Cumin: Substitute with smoked paprika.
Lime wedges: Use lemon juice as a substitute if you don't have lime.
Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish: Use chopped parsley or green onions instead.

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

♨️ How To Make Authentic Elote Recipe

Step by step instructions

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

Step 1: 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.

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

Step 2: 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 ingredients for the creamy mayo mixture in a small glass bowl.

Step 3: 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.

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

Step 4: Mix until well combined and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.

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

Step 5: 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.

The Elote corn garnished with fresh cilantro on a baking sheet.

Step 6: Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese or feta cheese over the mayonnaise mixture. sprinkle chopped cilantro on top. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

💭 Expert Tips

Leave a small stem on the corn to make it easier to handle and eat.
Before grilling, brush the corn with melted butter to prevent sticking and achieve that perfect char.
Slather the mayo mixture evenly on the corn while still hot to create a creamy coating.
Crumble the cotija cheese on the corn after slathering it with the mayo mixture.

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

🧾 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.

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

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About Jeri

Jeri Walker, a full-time food blogger and food writer featured on MSN, has over 40 years of home cooking experience. She creates easy recipes with simple ingredients and manages every aspect of her blog herself, from writing and photography to video production. When not in the kitchen, she's sipping coffee, kayaking, or hiking with her Saint Bernard.

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