Mexican street corn, or elotes, is corn on the cob slathered with a creamy, tangy coating and finished with cheese, herbs, and heat. Here’s a concise guide to the classic approach and a few popular variations. What you’ll typically find
- Base coating: a creamy blend often made from mayonnaise and/or Mexican crema or sour cream, sometimes with a touch of butter, garlic, or lime.
- Cheese: crumbled cotija is the traditional choice; feta can be a substitute.
- Seasonings: lime juice or zest, chili powder or Tajín for heat, and chopped cilantro for brightness.
- Finish: the corn is sprinkled generously with cheese and herbs, then served hot.
Popular methods
- Grilled elotes (classic): grill the corn until lightly charred, brush with the mayo/crema mixture while hot, then roll in cotija cheese and top with chili powder and cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of lime.
- Oven/broiler elotes: roast or broil corn on the cob, then apply the same mayo mixture and toppings as above.
- Esquites (street corn salad): kernels are shaved off the cob and mixed with mayo, crema, lime, cheese, cilantro, and spices for a salad or dip.
Common ingredient ratios (rough guide)
- Sauce: ¼ cup mayonnaise per 4 ears of corn, plus 1 tablespoon crema or sour cream per ear for extra creaminess.
- Cheese: about 2–3 tablespoons cotija per ear.
- Lime and heat: juice of ½ lime per ear, plus a pinch to ¼ teaspoon chili powder or Tajín per ear.
- Fresh herbs: 1–2 tablespoons chopped cilantro per ear.
Tips for beginners
- Pat corn dry before grilling to promote browning.
- Add lime juice after applying the mayo mixture to keep the flavor bright.
- If you’re dairy-free, use a vegan mayo and vegan cheese crumbles; you’ll still get the same tangy profile with chili and lime.
Serving ideas
- Serve as a side at barbecues, with grilled meats, or as a standout addition to a Mexican-inspired spread.
- For a lighter option, use less mayo and swap in Greek yogurt or light crema.
If you’d like, specify your preferred method (grilled vs baked), dietary needs, or the number of servings, and a precise, step-by-step recipe with exact measurements can be provided.
