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Elote Recipe (Authentic Mexican Corn)

Elote recipe – Mexican Corn on the cob with cheese, mayo, chile and lime. Enjoy this authentic Mexican street food anytime with this easy recipe!

Elote recipe: Mexican corn on the cob on a platter

Elote Recipe

We call this Mexican corn elotes, but it should just be known as the best corn EVER!

The sweetness of the corn, salty cheese, creamy mayonnaise, smoky chile, spicy hot sauce and burst of lime come together in one incredible combination that will leave you wanting more.

One elote (Mexican corn on the cob) with mayo, cheese, chile and lime

This authentic elote recipe can easily be made at home and is the perfect accompaniment when grilling out.

It’s amazing on Mexican night with your favorite tacos. My favorite kind right now are Tacos Dorados which are filled with mashed potatoes and fried until ultra crispy.

The preparation of Mexican corn is simple.

The key is to have all your ingredients gathered and prepped for easy assembly.

This is a basic recipe, but it is the best elote recipe in my humble opinion.

Elote recipe: Mexican corn on the cob on a platter

Mexican Elote Recipe

For this recipe you will need corn on the cob.

If using kernels you can make my recipe for Mexican Corn in a Cup instead.

The corn cobs can be cooked in any method you prefer – I recommend boiling or grilling.

After the corn is cooked, you’ll want to let it cool a little for two reasons.

Elote recipe: insert skewer into corn on the cob

Firstly, you’ll be inserting some wooden sticks for handles and you don’t want to burn your fingers off.

Secondly, you’ll be slathering it in mayonnaise and we don’t want it melting off since the rest of the ingredients stick to the mayo.

Elote recipe: brush with mayonnaise

Pro tip: use a pastry brush to spread it evenly.

After the mayo has been applied, sprinkle or roll the corn in grated cotija cheese.

Cotija is a sharp, salty cheese.

If you absolutely positively cannot find cotija then you can use parmesan cheese.

You can also use crumbled queso fresco, but it will have a totally different flavor.

Elote recipe: sprinkle with cotija cheese

The last three ingredients are important, but depend on your own taste.

Lime is going to add zest, brighten and enhance all the flavors.

Chili powder adds great smoky flavor.

My personal favorite is Tajin, which is a chile-salt blend.

Ground ancho chile is also a great choice.

Hot sauce is the final ingredient to add another dimension of flavor and some heat.

There are so many options when it comes to hot sauce, but my favorites for this elotes recipe are Valentina or Tapatio.

Add as much or little as you like depending on your spicy tolerance and enjoy!

Elote recipe: Mexican corn on the cob on a platter

Elote Recipe (Authentic Mexican Corn)

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Elotes recipe - Mexican Corn on the cob with cheese, mayo and chile. Enjoy this Mexican street food anytime with this easy recipe!

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of corn
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese
  • 1 lime, quartered
  • Hot sauce (such as Valentina or Tapatio)
  • Chili powder (such as Tajin or ancho chile)
  • Wooden sticks (for taffy apple, corn dogs, etc)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Shuck the corn, remove the silk and stalk. Add corn to water, cover and cook for 5 minutes, then remove.
  2. When corn is cool enough to touch but still warm, insert wooden stick into core as a handle.
  3. Brush corn with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese and squeeze of lime wedge. Add hot sauce and chili powder to taste.
  4. Repeat with remaining ears of corn and serve.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 ear
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 288

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below! Or tag @kitchengidget on Instagram with the hashtag #kitchengidget

This delicious recipe first appeared on Amanda’s Cookin’ as a post by Kitchen Gidget.

Definitely try the Mexican Corn in a Cup version too! (Elotes en Vaso)

Mexican Corn in a Cup recipe (Elotes). Now you can have this street food at home!

Another Mexican veggie side dish you might enjoy – Calabacitas con Queso

Easy recipe for Mexican zucchini squash with cheese - a great side dish or taco filling! Calabacitas Mexicanas - receta de calabacitas con queso.

Check out ALL my Mexican recipes here!

Tom

Sunday 2nd of July 2023

Mayo is not authentic. Swap it out for Crema and you're good.

Dave

Tuesday 1st of August 2023

@Tom, is that the sour cream or the table cream?

Maria H

Saturday 20th of August 2022

What's the best way to grill corn? Leave husk on or off? How long on the grill?

X

Tuesday 9th of May 2023

@Maria H, I always leave them on. Let the husk get charred a bit. But take off a few layers first so in corn can also get more heat. I find it makes a sweeter, stronger corn taste.

Rebekah

Saturday 20th of August 2022

We usually leave the husk on, but you can do either way. If you shuck them, the kernels will get some charring. It's personal preference. About 10 minutes without husks and 20 minutes with.

Carol G

Friday 5th of August 2022

Haven’t tried your recipe, but sounds excellent—what I was hoping for. Just had Elotes in fav local Mexican Restaurant. Your recipe seems a perfect matche to this great/easy side dish or appetizer. Mi Pueblo serves half-cob size, uses pastry bag or squeeze bottle to do esses (“S”) around cob on stick; sprinkles the seasonings; puts wedges of fresh lime on plate to squeeze when eating. Can’t wait to try.

Alex

Saturday 20th of February 2021

These look really good. I don’t have cojita, so I’ll be using parmesan, but I’m excited either way.

Jen Williams

Wednesday 13th of May 2020

Made the elites And the calabacita and both were AMAZING! Put both in my recipe book. Even during this pandemic went back to store and bought the Tajin and the hot sauce. Really really really good! Thank you!!!

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