Description
This authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elote) recipe features smoky, charred corn kernels cooked in a hot cast iron skillet, then tossed with creamy mayonnaise, tangy lime juice, chili powder, and finished with crumbly cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. It’s a flavorful, easy-to-make side dish or snack that’s perfect for summer cookouts or anytime you crave vibrant Mexican street food.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn Mixture
- 3 (15.25-ounce) cans corn, drained
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1-2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
For Garnish
- Cotija cheese, for sprinkling
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Cilantro, roughly chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Place a cast iron skillet over high heat and allow it to preheat until very hot, which helps develop a smoky char on the corn.
- Cook the Corn: Add the drained corn to the hot skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to evenly toast the kernels and create a slight char for a smoky flavor.
- Add Butter and Salt: Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in the butter and kosher salt until the butter melts and coats the corn evenly.
- Mix with Mayo and Lime: Transfer the warm corn to a mixing bowl, then stir in the mayonnaise and lime juice thoroughly to create a creamy and tangy corn mixture.
- Season with Chili Powder: Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder to the mixture and stir well to distribute the spice evenly throughout the corn.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the corn generously with cotija cheese, the remaining chili powder, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra freshness, add a squeeze of additional lime juice before serving if desired.
- If fresh corn is in season, you can substitute canned corn with fresh corn cut from the cob for a more natural texture.
- Adjust chili powder quantity to taste depending on your spice preference.
- Serve this dish immediately as the creamy mixture pairs best with warm, toasted corn.
- To make it gluten-free, verify the chili powder brand does not contain any gluten additives.
