Description
Elote, also known as Mexican grilled corn, is a popular street food that features ears of corn charred to perfection on the grill and slathered with a creamy, tangy mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice. Topped with crumbly cotija cheese, chili powder, and fresh cilantro, this flavorful side dish offers a perfect blend of smoky, creamy, and zesty tastes that will elevate any summer meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn and Coating
- 4 ears of corn (husks removed)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt to taste
Toppings
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the corn evenly and achieve a smoky char.
- Prepare the Corn: Brush each ear of corn with vegetable oil or melted butter to prevent sticking and enhance browning.
- Grill the Corn: Place the prepared ears of corn on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure all sides become lightly charred and cooked through.
- Make the Sauce: While the corn grills, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl to create the creamy, tangy coating.
- Coat the Corn: Once grilled, generously brush or spread the mayo mixture over each ear of corn, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the coated corn with crumbled cotija cheese and chili powder for a traditional spicy, cheesy finish.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- For extra heat, substitute chili powder with smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If cotija cheese is unavailable, feta or grated Parmesan cheese makes an excellent substitute.
- To transform this into an elote salad, cut the grilled corn off the cob and mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
