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Four elotes or ears of corn dressed in mexican cheese and spices laying on a table top.
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5 from 7 votes

Elotes (Mexican Corn on the Cob)

Elotes are Mexican street corn on the cob covered in garlicky mayo and topped with Cotija cheese, cilantro, and chili powder. It's the perfect summer side dish for your next bbq or outdoor grilling side dish!  
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 Ears
Calories: 225kcal
Author: Rachel

Ingredients

  • 4 ears Corn on the Cob
  • Salt and Pepper for seasoning
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Sour Cream
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Chile Powder Chile powder is not the same as chili powder, but either can be used if you prefer.
  • 1 cup Cotija Cheese, crumbled substitute Feta if needed
  • ½ cup Cilantro Leaves, chopped
  • 1 Lime optional

Instructions

  • Light a grill. Season the corn with salt and pepper, if desired. 
  • In a small bowl, stir together the mayo, sour cream, and garlic powder.
  • Place the corn on the hottest part of the grill and cook, turning as needed, until cooked through with nice grill char marks, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Remove the corn from the grill and immediately brush each cob liberally with the mayo mixture.
  • Either roll the ears of corn in cotija cheese or sprinkle the cheese liberally over top. Transfer to a platter. Garnish each cob with a sprinkle of chile powder and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Notes

Grilling Corn with a Husk
The grilling is essentially the same as without a husk. The preparation is slightly different.
  1. Peel the husks back but leave them attached at the bottom of each cob.
  2. Remove the silks from the corn cob. A stiff brush works well for raising the silks.
  3. Place the husk back over the cob and grill normally.
Mexican Street Corn without a Grill
 Here are a few options:
  1. Pop the corn on a cast iron pan and put it in the oven on broil. Brush the corn with a bit of oil or butter. Turn the corn a few times to evenly cook. Takes about 10 minutes or less.
  2. Forget the cob and make a simple Mexican street corn in a cup using just the kernels. Saute it in a pan over medium-high heat with a bit of butter.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ear | Calories: 225kcal