Description
Grilled Mexican Street Corn, also known as Elotes, is a delicious and flavorful summer treat. Fresh sweet corn is charred on a hot grill, then generously coated with a zesty mixture of Mexican crema, mayonnaise, fresh cilantro, garlic, chipotle pepper, and lime. Topped with crumbled cotija cheese and served with lime wedges, this dish perfectly combines smoky, creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors for a vibrant appetizer or side.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Corn
- 6 to 8 medium ears sweet corn, husks removed
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Mexican crema, or sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest (from 1 lime)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 lime)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the grill: Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to 400°F. Once hot, clean the grill grates thoroughly to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Mexican crema (or sour cream), mayonnaise, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, ground chipotle pepper, lime zest, and lime juice. Taste the sauce and season lightly with salt if needed, remembering that both crema and cotija cheese add some saltiness. Set the sauce aside while you grill the corn.
- Grill the corn: Place the husked ears of corn directly onto the hot grill grates. Allow the corn to cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes, until kernels start to turn golden brown and show char marks. Rotate the corn to another side and grill for an additional 3 minutes. Continue turning until all sides are evenly browned and lightly charred. Remove the grilled corn from the grill and place it on a serving plate.
- Apply sauce and toppings: Using a brush or spoon, evenly coat each ear of grilled corn with the prepared crema sauce. Generously sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the coated corn. If desired, sprinkle additional ground chipotle pepper for an extra kick of heat. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over.
Notes
- Be careful with additional salt since Mexican crema and cotija cheese already contain salt.
- If Mexican crema is unavailable, sour cream is a good substitute.
- Adjust chipotle pepper quantity to control heat level to taste.
- Lime wedges enhance freshness and add extra tang when served.
- Use fresh sweet corn for best flavor and optimal grilling results.
