Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)

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Prep 20 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 40 minutes
One of my favorite ways to eat fresh corn! There are a lot of variations of street corn from different regions in Mexico and countries in Latin America but this is one of the best known. The sour cream and cheese make it salty and creamy while the chili powder and lime balance each other out to create some tang. This recipe costs $1 per serving or $6 for the whole recipe.
Servings 6
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings6

Ingredients

  • 12 Corn on the Cob
  • 1 cup Sour Cream
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 4 oz Cotija Cheese
  • 1 tbsp Chili Powder
  • Lime Wedges

Method

  1. Precook Corn and Prepare Ingredients: Bring a large pot of water to boil and add the corn (in batches if needed). Cook for 7-10 minutes until tender and brightly colored. Remove from the pot and set on a sheet pan to cool slightly. Shred the cotija cheese and place on a plate. Put the sour cream onto a plate and mix with the salt.
  2. Char Corn: There are three methods you can use to char the corn.
    Your first option is to simply place the precooked corn on the grill for 2-3 minutes per side until it is blackened.
    The second option works for those that have a gas stove. Turn one of your burners onto high flame and put the corn over the flame for 2-3 minutes turning often to ensure that it is evenly charred on all sides
    The final option is to broil the corn in the oven. Turn your oven onto high broil and place the corn on a sheet pan. Broil for 3-5 minutes per side until well charred.
  3. Assemble Corn: To assemble the corn use a spoon to spread a thin layer of the sour cream over the outside of the corn. Sprinkle liberally on all sides with cotija cheese then sprinkle a small amount of chili powder over the top and sides. Serve with a wedge of lime and enjoy!
  4. Meal Prep Tip: To make ahead, prepare the corn and other ingredients but place them into separate containers. Just before serving, reheat the corn in the microwave then char it using your preferred method. Assemble like normal in step 3. The corn can be pre-assembled then reheated but it won’t taste as fresh as assembling it just before eating.