Grilled Mexican street corn, or Elote, is a beloved street food that delivers bold, smoky, and creamy flavors in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, craving a flavorful snack, or looking for a show-stopping side dish, this grilled corn on the cob is sure to impress. The combination of smoky char from the grill, tangy lime, and rich creamy toppings makes it a perfect complement to any meal.
To make Elote, start by grilling fresh corn on the cob until it’s nicely charred on all sides, which adds a smokiness that takes the flavor to another level. The corn is traditionally grilled in its husk, but you can remove the husks for a deeper char if you prefer.
Once the corn is grilled, it’s slathered in a luscious coating of mayonnaise (or Mexican crema), which helps bind the seasonings to the kernels and adds a creamy, tangy texture. Then, it’s generously topped with crumbled Cotija cheese, a crumbly, salty Mexican cheese that perfectly balances the sweetness of the corn.
Next comes the spice—chili powder, cayenne pepper, or tajín give the corn a mild heat, while a squeeze of fresh lime juice adds a refreshing zesty kick. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle on some finely chopped cilantro or a dash of garlic powder.
Grilled Mexican street corn is a fun, interactive dish perfect for sharing. You can serve it whole on the cob or cut it into smaller sections for easy nibbling. It’s great for summer picnics, taco nights, or as a standout side dish at any outdoor gathering.
Whether you’re enjoying it at a festival or grilling it at home, Elote is a flavorful, tangy, and irresistibly smoky treat that’s sure to leave everyone craving more.
Mexican Street Corn, or Elote, is grilled corn on the cob slathered in a creamy, tangy sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream (or crema), lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese. It’s a popular street food in Mexico, known for its bold, savory flavor.
Cotija cheese is the traditional choice—it’s a crumbly, salty Mexican cheese. If you can’t find it, feta or parmesan can be used as substitutes.
Yes! You can roast the corn in the oven or even cook it on the stovetop in a cast-iron skillet. You want to get some char for that authentic smoky flavor.
Besides cotija cheese and chili powder, try adding:
Tajín seasoning
Smoked paprika
Hot sauce (like Valentina or Cholula)
Chopped cilantro
Extra lime juice
Yes! Use vegan mayo and a dairy-free sour cream, and replace cotija with a plant-based cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn husked
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cotija cheese crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the corn for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through.
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, and salt to create the sauce.
- Once the corn is grilled, generously brush it with the sauce.
- Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro over the corn.
- Serve immediately with extra lime wedges, if desired.
Nutrition
I don’t know about this mayo idea. Seems weird to me. 🤔
I was skeptical too at first, but trust me, the mayo makes it creamy and delicious! You gotta give it a try! 🌽
Mayo? Seriously? Sounds gross. I think I’d just stick with butter. 🤢
What if I don’t have cotija cheese? Can I use cheddar instead? 🤷♂️
Not a fan of mayo, might skip it next time.
Grilled corn is for summer only, right? What else can I use in place of the sour cream???
You could try Greek yogurt instead of sour cream! It works great and healthier too. Summer corn is the best!
I dunno, do people really eat corn in winter? I just think sour cream is a must!
Super easy and quick! Loved it! But my husband thinks it needs more chili.
I’m glad you loved it! You could always add more chili powder to taste if your husband wants more heat! 🌶️
I think it’s just fine without more chili. But everyone has different tastes, right? 🤷♂️
I tried this recipe but forgot the cheese. Still good!
So good! Mmmmmm, just like the stuff from the taco truck!
Taco truck?? Really? How is it that easy to make? It can’t taste that good, right?
I totally agree! This corn is the bomb! Can’t wait to try it at home.
This was super tasty! Will definitely make again! 🌽
Yum! The corn was perfect on the grill! Who knew?!
I never thought to grill corn like that! Gonna try it this weekend. Thanks for the idea!
I even added some garlic powder, turned out good! Will make again.
So easy to make! I used parmesan because I couldn’t find cotija. Still turned out great!
Tried this at a friend’s party. They loved it but I thought it was too much mayo. Next time I’ll use less.
Corn is good, but all these ingredients? Nah, I just want it simple.
What’s cotija cheese?? Can I use cheddar instead? 🤔
This is the best corn ever!!! I make it for every BBQ now. Yum!
I totally agree! This corn is a game changer for BBQs. It’s so flavorful! 🌽🔥
Looks good and all, but isn’t it a bit too tangy? I prefer my corn just with butter and salt.
So easy to make! I can’t believe I can grill like this! Thx!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! This recipe is a game changer for summer BBQs! 🌽
Grilling corn? Really? Seems too simple… I dunno if it can taste that good.
Tried this recipe but it was way too salty for me. Maybe reduce the salt?
This is just too much work for corn! Just boil it next time.
I get where you’re coming from, but this corn is worth the effort! The flavors are amazing!
This grilled corn is AMAZING! The lime and cheese combo is perfect. 5 stars!
Corn is corn. Can’t see why everyone is going nuts over this. 🤷♂️
I don’t know about this. Isn’t Mexican street corn usually just butter and cheese? This sounds too complicated.
I totally get where you’re coming from! But trust me, the sauce really makes it special. You should give it a try!
Complicated? Nah, it’s pretty simple! Just mix the sauce and put it on the corn. You might like it more than plain butter and cheese!
Absolutely delicious! I added a pinch of cumin for extra flavor. Will definitely make again!
Mmmm, made this last night and it was a hit with the family. Even the kids gobbled it up!
Really 15 minutes? It took mine 30 to get any color! 😩
Delish! Served it at my BBQ party and everyone loved it!
Sounds amazing! I need to try this for my next gathering. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t like mayo but this was surprisingly good! Still a bit too creamy tho.
2 much mayo bro. Couldn’t do it. I’m out.