Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) — Classic Recipe Guide

Last Updated August 25th, 2022 at 12:41 pm by Lisa

Authentic Mexican street corn, also known as elotes, is fire-grilled and brushed with a creamy cilantro sauce, then sprinkled with Cotija cheese and dusted with chile powder.

Traditional elotes are sold by street vendors and food trucks throughout Mexico and served with a variety of toppings. You hold the corn by the husk handle and enjoy each delicious, slightly spicy, creamy, sweet, and crunchy bite.

Authentic Mexican Street Corn Recipe “Elotes Mexicanos”

• 6 ears of sweet fresh corn (silks removed, husks tied)
• ¼ cup Cotija cheese (to sprinkle on top)
• 1 pinch of chile powder (or hatch chile or a pinch of cayenne)
• Creamy cilantro mayonnaise sauce
• Garnishes: lime wedges and chopped cilantro

Creamy cilantro sauce

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• ½ serrano chile, finely diced, seeds removed (these are hot — use less or substitute jalapeño if preferred)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

1. In a food processor, blend the mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, serrano chile, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt.
2. Process until smooth, transfer to a small bowl, and chill until ready to use.

Elote Variations

All the ingredients for elotes are easy to find at most grocery stores. For a more traditional flavor, use Mexican crema in place of mayonnaise, plenty of cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

• Serrano chiles are quite hot; use only half or substitute a jalapeño if you prefer milder heat.
• If you dislike cilantro, substitute flat-leaf parsley.
• Swap Mexican crema for mayo for a creamier, more authentic finish, or use sour cream if needed.
• For the chile sprinkle, try chile de árbol, hatch chile, smoked paprika, or a tiny pinch of cayenne.
• If you can’t find Cotija, good alternatives are feta, grated Parmesan, or Romano.
• Finish with a drizzle of your favorite Mexican hot sauce like Tapatío or Cholula, if desired.

Prep the Elote (Corn)

1. Under running water, remove all silks from the ears of corn but keep the husks intact. Pull the husks back from each ear.
2. Tie the husks back with kitchen twine or use a long strip of husk to create a handle.
3. Briefly soak the tied husks in water before grilling to help prevent the husks and twine from burning.

Grill the Elote

1. Preheat your grill (gas or charcoal) to high heat — around 500°F. It’s hot enough when you can hold your hand above the grill for only about one second.
2. Grill the corn about 2 minutes per side, roughly 8 minutes total, rotating until each side has char marks. If husks catch, move the corn to a cooler spot until flames subside. Keep the lid open so you can monitor and rotate the ears.
3. Transfer the corn to a platter, brush generously with the creamy cilantro sauce, sprinkle with Cotija cheese, and dust with a pinch of chile powder. Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges, and squeeze lime over each ear before serving.

Mexican Corn Elotes FAQ

Grilled Corn Recipe

If you want a simple grilled corn option, you can make classic grilled corn on the cob in about 15 minutes prep and 10 minutes on the grill without boiling. Use basic seasonings like butter, salt, pepper, or try barbecue rubs and other spices for endless flavor variations.

More Authentic Mexican Recipes

Mexican cuisine has so many bright, satisfying flavors. Here are a few favorites worth trying alongside elotes, all of which pair beautifully with grilled corn:

Mexican Pickled Red Onions are a simple condiment that takes about 30 minutes and adds a tangy crunch to tacos and grilled dishes.

Authentic Guacamole uses fresh lime juice, grated onion, chopped tomato, hot sauce, and spices for a classic, restaurant-style guacamole. Make it in a molcajete or a bowl.

Avocado Salsa (also called taco sauce) is a creamy green salsa that works as a dip for chips or a topping for tacos and burritos.

Micheladas are a refreshing beer cocktail made with Clamato or tomato juice, seasoned rims, and spices — perfect for hot days and casual gatherings.