🌽 Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

A bold and flavorful street food favorite, Mexican Street Corn (Elote) is grilled until charred, then slathered with a creamy, tangy sauce and topped with cheese, chili, and lime. It’s the perfect summer side dish!

🕒 Prep & Cook Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes

• Total Time: 20–25 minutes

• Servings: 4–6

🛒 Ingredients

For the Corn:

• 4–6 ears of corn, husked and cleaned

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or melted butter (for grilling)

For the Creamy Sauce:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup sour cream (or Mexican crema)

• 1 clove garlic, finely minced

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• ½ teaspoon chili powder

• Salt to taste

For Topping:

• ½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)

• Extra chili powder or Tajín for dusting

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• Lime wedges for serving

🔥 Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Grill

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).

2. Lightly oil the grates or brush corn with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Grill the Corn

1. Place corn directly on the grill grates.

2. Grill for 10–12 minutes, turning every few minutes until all sides are charred and tender.

3. Remove from grill and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

1. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, and a pinch of salt.

2. Stir well until creamy and smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the Elote

1. Using a brush or spoon, slather the warm grilled corn generously with the sauce.

2. Sprinkle with crumbled Cotija cheese.

3. Dust with extra chili powder or Tajín, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

4. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

✅ Tips & Variations

• Cotija cheese adds authentic flavor, but feta or grated Parmesan works in a pinch.

• Don’t over-grill: Look for a balance of char and tenderness.

• Lighter version: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier twist.

• Off the cob: Cut grilled corn kernels into a bowl and mix everything together for an “esquites” corn salad.

DISCLAIMER
This document is provided for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as providing legal advice, technical, or specific operational guidance to the reader, whether as to the practices described in the document or the applicable legal requirements and regulations. backyardgrillingpros.com expressly disclaims any responsibility for liability arising from or related to the use or misuse of any information in this document.