Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Fresh corn recipes are one of the true joys of summer cooking—but Mexican street corn takes it to a delicious new level. Slathered with spicy mayonnaise and sprinkled with cheese and herbs, it's a BBQ side dish to rave about. It's just as delicious with chicken tacos as it is with cheeseburgers or Ree Drummond's sweet and smoky ribs.

What is Mexican street corn?

If you're not familiar with elote (also called Mexican street corn), this popular corn on the cob dish can be found at street vendors all over Mexico and in the United States—especially during corn season! The charred cobs are covered in creamy mayonnaise, seasoned with chili powder and sprinkled with Cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a spritz of lime juice before serving. The corn is most often grilled but can also be boiled or steamed.

What's a good substitute for Cotija cheese?

If this tasty, crumbly cheese isn’t available at the local market and there's not a Latin foods store nearby, you can still make this delicious street corn. Parmesan and pecorino are good salty Italian substitutes for Cotija, as is Greek feta cheese. Ricotta salata, a drier, saltier form of creamy ricotta cheese, is also delicious sprinkled over this corn.

Can you make this recipe without a grill or grill pan?

While both a grill and a grill pan are ideal for this recipe, the ears of corn can be charred in a cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat. The flavor won't be exactly the same, but the corn kernels will get toasted and crispy in the skillet.

What does elote mean?

Elote is Spanish for corn on the cob. And just like eating regular corn on the cob, your hands might get a little messy when eating this dish. That's why it can often be found with wooden skewers for serving. If you're looking for something a little less messy, try esquites instead. This variation uses the corn off the cob with a similar creamy mayo mixture that's served in cups. Either way, it's delicious!

What do you eat with elote?

Mexican street corn is perfect for practically any occasion, like weeknight dinners, backyard cookouts, or even a late-afternoon snack. It's the perfect summer side dish to go alongside Southwestern-style burgers, grilled steak, and of course, Marg-a-Ree-tas!