Make Mexican street corn (elote) at home in minutes! This Elote Recipe is perfect for summer barbecues, family gatherings, or simply as a tasty snack. The corn is grilled to perfection and then smothered in creamy dressing, cheese, and spices. With its bold flavors and vibrant colors, this dish is sure to impress anyone at the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This elote recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it a fantastic choice for last-minute gatherings.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of creamy dressing, cotija cheese, and spices creates a delightful taste that excites the palate.
- Versatile Dish: Enjoy it as an appetizer or side dish at picnics, barbecues, or taco nights.
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh corn on the cob ensures maximum flavor and sweetness in every bite.
- Simple Preparation: No complicated techniques here—just grill, dress, and serve!
Tools and Preparation
To make your elote recipe a success, gather your tools and prep your ingredients. Having everything ready makes cooking smooth and enjoyable.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Grill
- Mixing bowl
- Brush for applying crema
- Knife
- Measuring cups
Importance of Each Tool
- Grill: This tool gives the corn that delicious charred flavor that is essential for authentic elote.
- Mixing bowl: A sturdy bowl helps combine all your crema ingredients easily without mess.
- Brush for applying crema: A brush allows even distribution of the delicious dressing over the corn.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this flavorful elote recipe:
- 4 corn on the cob (shucked)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove of garlic (crushed)
- Zest of one lime
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika (can be mild or smoky)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (not packed)
- ½ cup cotija cheese
- Lime wedges to serve
How to Make Elote Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crema Dressing
- In a bowl, mix together all the crema dressing ingredients. Combine:
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 peeled and crushed garlic clove (or 1 teaspoon garlic paste)
- Lime zest from 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ cup chopped cilantro (about half of your ¼ cup)
Step 2: Grill the Corn
- Preheat your grill over high heat.
- Grill the sweet corn without husks for about 10 minutes. Turn regularly until they begin to char.
Step 3: Dress the Corn
- Once grilled, remove the corn from heat.
- Brush all sides with your prepared crema dressing.
Step 4: Add Toppings and Serve
- Sprinkle cotija cheese over each cob generously.
- Drizzle with lime juice from one lime and top with remaining cilantro.
- Serve warm with lime wedges on the side!
How to Serve Elote Recipe
Serving elote is all about enhancing its bold flavors and creating a delightful experience. Here are some creative ways to enjoy this Mexican street corn.
Pair with Grilled Meats
- Steak: The rich flavor of grilled steak complements the creamy elote perfectly.
- Chicken: Juicy grilled chicken adds a savory element that pairs well with the corn’s sweetness.
Create a Flavorful Platter
- Tacos: Serve elote alongside soft or hard-shell tacos for a festive meal.
- Nachos: Add elote to your nacho platter for an extra kick of flavor and texture.
Serve as an Appetizer
- Small Plates: Cut the corn into smaller pieces and serve as bite-sized appetizers at parties.
- Dipping Sauce: Provide extra crema as a dipping sauce for guests to enjoy.
How to Perfect Elote Recipe
To make your elote truly unforgettable, consider these simple tips. They will elevate your dish and ensure great results every time.
- Use Fresh Corn: Freshly picked corn on the cob enhances sweetness and flavor.
- Grill for Flavor: Charring corn on the grill adds a smoky depth that is essential for authentic taste.
- Adjust Spices: Feel free to customize chili powder and paprika levels based on your spice preference.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Always use fresh cilantro for the best flavor; dried herbs won’t provide the same freshness.
Best Side Dishes for Elote Recipe
Elote pairs beautifully with various side dishes that complement its flavors. Here are some fantastic options to consider.
- Black Beans: A classic Mexican side, black beans add protein and richness.
- Mexican Rice: Fluffy rice seasoned with herbs and spices balances the creamy corn nicely.
- Guacamole: Creamy avocado dip provides a cool contrast to the spicy elote.
- Chips and Salsa: Crunchy tortilla chips with fresh salsa make a great snack alongside elote.
- Grilled Vegetables: Seasonal veggies grilled to perfection enhance the meal’s vibrant flavors.
- Quesadillas: Cheesy quesadillas add comfort and pair well with the boldness of elote.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making the perfect elote recipe can be a breeze, but there are common pitfalls to watch out for.
- Skipping the grilling step: Grilling adds that essential smoky flavor. Don’t skip it; make sure to grill corn until it’s nicely charred.
- Using plain sour cream: To enhance the taste, mix in mayonnaise and garlic. This combination creates a creamy and flavorful dressing.
- Not seasoning enough: Be generous with chili powder and lime juice. These ingredients elevate your elote recipe from bland to bold.
- Overcooking the corn: Keep an eye on your cooking time. Overcooked corn can become mushy; aim for about 10 minutes on high heat.
- Forgetting the cotija cheese: Cotija adds a salty bite that complements the sweetness of corn. Don’t skip this crucial ingredient for authentic flavor.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Elote can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Freezing Elote Recipe
- Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container.
- You can freeze elote for up to 2 months.
Reheating Elote Recipe
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place elote on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave: Place elote on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals until warm.
- Stovetop: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making an elote recipe.
What is an elote recipe?
Elote is a traditional Mexican street food made with grilled corn coated in crema, cotija cheese, lime, and spices.
Can I make this elote recipe vegan?
Yes! Substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with vegan alternatives like cashew cream or plant-based mayo.
How do I adjust the spice level of my elote recipe?
You can control the spice by adjusting the amount of chili powder or adding fresh jalapeños for extra heat.
What is the best way to serve elote?
Serve your elote hot off the grill, garnished with additional lime wedges and cilantro for a fresh touch.
Final Thoughts
This elote recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican street food right into your kitchen. It’s easy to customize with different spices or toppings based on your preferences. Give it a try at your next gathering; it’s sure to impress!
Elote Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Make your summer gatherings unforgettable with this quick and delicious Elote Recipe, a delightful twist on traditional Mexican street corn. Grilled to perfection, each cob is generously coated in a creamy dressing of sour cream and mayonnaise, then topped with crumbled cotija cheese and a sprinkle of spices. This vibrant dish not only packs bold flavors but also brings a colorful presentation that’s sure to impress family and friends alike. Perfect as an appetizer at picnics or a side dish at barbecues, this elote is the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 corn on the cob (shucked)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- Zest of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- ½ cup cotija cheese
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the crema dressing by mixing sour cream, mayonnaise, crushed garlic, lime zest, chili powder, paprika, and half of the chopped cilantro in a bowl.
- Preheat your grill over high heat. Grill the shucked corn for about 10 minutes, turning regularly until charred.
- Once grilled, brush all sides of the corn with the prepared crema dressing.
- Generously sprinkle cotija cheese over the corn. Drizzle with lime juice and top with remaining cilantro before serving warm with lime wedges.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cob (approximately 120g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: For added flavor, consider adjusting the levels of chili powder to suit your spice preference. Fresh corn is key for achieving the best sweetness—opt for the freshest ears you can find. This recipe can easily be made vegan by substituting vegan mayo and sour cream alternatives.
