Grilled Mexican Street Corn- An Authentic Elote Recipe

If you're looking for the ultimate summer side dish, look no further than Mexican Street Corn—also known as Elote. This smoky, creamy, and zesty grilled corn is a staple of Mexican street food and a total crowd-pleaser at any BBQ. Coated in mayo, Mexican crema, chipotle chili, lime, and cotija cheese, it delivers authentic flavor in every bite. Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or just want to spice up a weeknight dinner, this easy recipe brings the fiesta right to your table.

You can also try these other corn-inspired recipes, like my Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad for a fun twist, or my Easy Charred Corn recipe—no grill or fresh corn needed. I’ve also got tips on How to Grill Frozen Corn when it’s out of season. And for fresh flavors, don’t miss my Grilled Corn and Mango Salsa or Black Bean and Corn Feta Dip—both are crowd-pleasing side dishes perfect for summer cookouts.

(Blue's Best Life is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Programs.  I earn a small commission if you purchase through those links.  This helps me keep the blog going!)- Bobbie

Why You'll Love This Mexican Street Corn Recipe!

One of the things I love most about cooking is being able to enjoy flavors from around the world without ever leaving my kitchen. Mexican Street Corn, called Elote is one of those recipes that instantly transports you to the streets of Mexico. It’s got that perfect mix of creamy, smoky, cheesy goodness, and the cilantro adds such a fresh kick. I especially love how the sweetness of the corn cheese balances out the smokey chipotle chili flavor. This side dish will disappear fast at summer BBQs!

If you have never tried Mexican street corn, here is why you will instantly be hooked!

• Flavorful—Mexican street corn is amazingly flavorful. It is packed with exciting and vibrant flavors that complement its creaminess.
• Best side dish—It's an excellent side dish for barbecue parties or casual backyard picnics to celebrate summer.
• Crowd pleaser—Its vibrant flavors make it a crowd-pleasing dish. It will be a hit if you add it to your celebration staple.
• Easy to make- while this may seem complicated, I promise you that it is a very easy recipe and once you take care of tying the husks it comes together quickly!
• Looks impressive-if you really want to WOW your guests, this rustic look of the elote will be sure to impress and it tastes as good as it looks!

Equipment Needed

• Grill or grill pan
• Tongs
• Kitchen twine
• Small mixing bowl
• Brush for spreading the sauce into the corn
• Knife and chopping board (for cutting the lime and the cilantro)

Key Ingredients

6 ears corn on the cob - The main event.

Vegetable oil—This will prevent the corn on the cob from sticking. It is brushed onto the corn before grilling. It will also help us get that perfect charring.

Mayonnaise is the base of the creamy sauce. It adds richness and flavor.

Mexican Crema- will add sweetness while balancing the richness of mayo's flavor.

Lime juice -It adds a bright and zesty flavor.

Chipotle chili powder - Add a kick of spice and provides an authentic Mexican flavor.

Salt and pepper - Seasoning the corn to achieve perfect flavor.

Mexican queso fresco or cotija cheese is part of the dish's finishing touches and adds a bit of saltiness and tanginess to the overall flavor.

Cilantro - Add color for garnishing and fresh flavor.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by preheating the grill to 400°F. Preheating is important to achieve the iconic charred flavor and to cook the corn evenly.

Prepare the corn by pulling back the husks from the corn and removing the silk. Using kitchen twine and tying the husks will serve as a rustic handle.

Once done, brush the corn with vegetable oil to prevent it from sticking and to help achieve beautiful grill marks.

Place the corn on the preheated grill and grill for 12 to 15 minutes. Use the tongs to turn the corn so it cooks and is charred evenly on all sides. You will want to stay by the grill to carefully watch the corn and make sure it grills evenly. Do not get distracted and walk away or let the grill get too hot.

Once the corn is grilled perfectly, remove it from the grill. Prepare the sauce by mixing the mayo, Mexican crema or sour cream, lime juice, and half of the chipotle chili powder in a small bowl.

Brush the corn with a generous amount of cream sauce and sprinkle it with crumbled queso or cotija cheese and cilantro. Dust it with the remaining chipotle chili powder and add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve warm. Use the rustic husk handle to hold the corn on the cob while eating and enjoying the creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors!

Expert Tips

• Pull back the husk to make a convenient handle for holding the corn while eating. This gives the recipe a rustic look and is a typical way of preparing street corn in Mexico.
• Turn the corn often while grilling to ensure it is cooked evenly and to achieve beautiful grill marks.
• You may use a grill basket to hold the corn and turn them quickly.

Make Ahead

It is best to enjoy fresh from the grill, but to save time if planning for a get-together you can prepare the corn by pulling back the husks and cleaning away the silks. Prep the mayo mixture so you have less work to do during your BBQ. Keep everything in the refrigerator until the guests arrive then grill and serve fresh!

Substitutions And Additions

• Mexican Crema or sour cream: You can use Greek yogurt instead or a mixture of sour cream with a bit of heavy cream. Just remember that Mexian crema is actually much sweeter in flavor than sour cream or Greek yogurt. It is also a thinner consistency so you may need to add a touch more lime juice to help it brush onto the corn better.
• Cheese—If queso fresco or cotija cheese is unavailable, you may try parmesan or feta cheese, but note that it will have a slightly different texture and flavor.
• Toppings - If you love spicy, add jalapenos or a drizzle of hot sauce as toppings.

Storage

If you ever have leftovers, you can wrap the corn in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Reheat it using the microwave or on the grill. Be sure to have fresh sauce to complete it and have it freshly assembled.

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!