The Sweet Taste of Summer
Summer is slowly winding down and the kids are back in school, but there is still plenty of warm weather ahead for most, which means more grilling! We love to grill vegetables, both for the wonderful flavors grilling brings out and because we don’t have to heat up the kitchen. One of our favorites is corn on the cob…grilling it brings out the sweetness in the corn and keeps the kernels crisp and snappy.
“A light wind swept over the corn, and all nature laughed in the sunshine.” – Anne Bronte
Grilled corn is perfect by itself, or as a side with burgers, chicken, pork chops…pretty much anything you want to throw on the grill!
If you are looking for a way to shake things up and add a little fun to your corn, look no further than Mexican Street Corn. Named street corn because in Mexico it is often sold on street corners out of food carts, this delight is a must try for your grill!
On these food carts, the cobs are steamed, boiled, or grilled, then toppings of the customers’ choice are added, tempting the long line of hungry diners following the fragrant smells of this warm treat. Elotes are usually sold on a stick, or with the stalk left on to hold them.
Our version of street corn is slathered with a sauce made of Mexican crema, mayonnaise (lets face it, what Southerner can turn down mayo?), cilantro, chili powder, and Cotija cheese…wow! It can be rather messy to eat, but well worth the extra napkins!
Making Elotes At Home
Grilled Mexican Street Corn is simple to make at home. If you have trouble finding the crema you can use sour cream (it is slightly thicker than crema but still adds that tanginess), and if your grocer doesn’t have Cotija cheese, you can certainly substitute grated Parmesan.
Heat your gas or charcoal grill to about 400 degrees.
Whisk together the mayonnaise, crema, cilantro, garlic, chili powder (you can use Ancho, Chipotle, Sriracha…any kind you prefer), lime juice and zest, and salt to taste. Set aside.
Pull the husks back from the cob and clean all of the silk away. You can then pull the husks back up around the corn for cooking, or you can remove the husks if you prefer that little bit of charring. Either way, leave a few inches of stalk to hold the corn after it’s cooked. Grill the corn about 3 minutes on each side, or until the kernels begin to brown. Rotate and repeat until the entire ear has browned (10-12 minutes). Remove to a plate.
While the ears are warm, brush each with the sauce, coating it well. Sprinkle on crumbled Cotija cheese, and additional chili powder if desired. Garnish with a little bit of chopped cilantro and serve.
This sweet corn, covered with tangy sauce and salty cheese and just a touch of spice from the chili powder will hit all the right notes on your palate! Your family will ask for this again and again!
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Please comment below and share how you like to make your grilled corn. And before you leave, please subscribe to the website so you don’t miss any goodness from A Slice of Spice. See ya soon!
Michele
Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
Sweet grilled corn smothered in tangy sauce and topped with cheese!
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn on the cob
- 1/4 cup Mexican Crema can use sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro For garnish
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp chili powder (sweet, ancho, chipotle, etc.)
- 1/2 Lime zested and juiced
- 1/4 tsp Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup Cotija Cheese can use grated Parmesan
Instructions
-
Heat grill to about 400 degrees.
-
Whisk together crema, mayonnaise, cilantro, garlic, lime zest and juice. Salt to taste. Set aside.
-
Pull back husks on corn. Clean away all the silk and trim the stalk to about 3 -4 inches. You can pull the husks back up around the ears of corn to grill, or if you prefer, remove the husks and place corn directly on the grill.
-
Grill until kernels start to brown (about 3 minutes) and turn, repeating until the corn is slightly charred all the way around (10-12 minutes). Remove from grill.
-
Brush sauce mixture generously over corn. Sprinkle with Cotija cheese. Garnish with a little more chopped cilantro, and additional chili powder if desired.
This is a really delightful recipe. I never had street corn before, but the Mexican Crema was awesome. We used it again another night too. I am a big fan!
Glad you enjoyed it! My thanks to the grill master!
I miss elote so much! I have trouble eating corn, sadly, but I loved it prepared elote style.
I can understand how you would miss this!
This is one of my favorite . I still ate dome today. Yum yum
Thanks for checking it out Bola!
I can’t wait to try this at home. I’ve always wanted to taste Mexican street corn..
You will love it Jo! Thanks for checking it out!
This looks so delicious! I make street corn all of the time for my kids who love it! I will have to try your recipe. Looks yummy!!
Thanks Jennifer! I hope you enjoy it!
I love grilled street corn and have always wondered how to make it myself! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for checking it out Cat!
Yes to more grilling. Yes to mexican street corn. Just yes!! I didn’t realize MSC was so simple. Yum! Adding to my recipe pins!
Thanks Tiffany! Yes for me too! Enjoy!
oh yum! my husband does this when we camp. Sooooooo good!
Isn’t it delicious? Thanks for checking it out!
This sounds so amazing! Yummy!
Thank you Kristi Ann!
That looks delicious! And your pictures are beautiful!
Thank you Kathryn!
I can eat Mexican street corn all day. I’ve never made it at home before. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Isn’t it delicious? Give it a try at home!
Love Mexican street corn! I’ve only recently discovered it in NJ, but it’s becoming more and more popular. Delicious! I’ll have to try your recipe out soon!
Thanks Mary! Let me know how you like it!
Mexican corn is the only corn I enjoy! This recipe looks delicious.
Thanks Evelyn! Hope you give it a try.
This recipe looks delicious and I have always wanted to try street corn. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Shar! Come back and let me know how you like it!
OMG! Now, I’m starving! I’ve never heard of these, but man, I know I would love them! Thanks for sharing!
Give them a try Beth!
This stuff is yummy
Thank you Shelby!
I love elotes! Yet I’ve never made it at home which is crazy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
It’s definitely worth it! Hope you enjoy!
This looks amazingly delicious. I really want to try. Will pin for later.
They are delicious Melissa! I hope you enjoy.
Wow, I used to get elotes from the street cart vendors when I lived in Mexico a trillion years ago. So glad they are catching on now. They’re amazing! Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you Maggie! You should share your stories on your blog!
Yum Yum Yum! I am sharing on Pinterest too!
Thank you Tricia!
The more that I read people’s blogs, the more interesting recipes I seem to discover. I shared this on Pinterest!
Thanks for checking it out, and for commenting Dawnmarie!
Oh, I have some boys in this house who would LOVE to try corn this way. Thanks for sharing.
I hope they love it!
I LOVE Elote! Thanks for another recipe to try!
Thank you for checking it out! I hope you enjoy!
You had me at the first picture! These look delicious and I’m going to try them soon! Pinned for later 🙂
Thank you Jocelyn! I hope you enjoy them!
OMG! This is my favorite! There’s nothing better than Mexican corn! I’ve never made it at home but now I will! Thanks for the recipe!!!
It is so easy to make Laura! I know you will love it!