Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
On July 17, 2019 (Updated February 23, 2024)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Elote, also known as Mexican Street Corn, is a delicious grilled sweet corn covered with creamy, spicy seasoning, fresh lime, and Cotija cheese. It’s easy to make and full of great flavors, making it the perfect corn to make when you want a well-rounded and flavorful side with your BBQ.
Mexican Corn on the Cob
Elote is often referred to as Mexican street corn, as it is served by street vendors in Mexico. Elote is served on the cob with a combination of spicy, sweet, and salty flavors. Mayonnaise, sauces, and lime are slathered on the cooked corn, and a generous heaping of Cotija cheese is crumbled on top for a messy and completely amazing corn on the cob.
Even though Mexican street corn is great as a side dish to your BBQ, it holds its own well. It’s great as a mid-day snack, and the combination of all the flavors leaves you quite satisfied.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn
Mexican street corn can be boiled or roasted, and I personally believe it doesn’t taste better than grilling it over an open flame. By grilling sweet corn you introduce that gorgeous char flavor that compliments the sweetness of the corn and gives those kernels that perfect pop. Chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper are added for extra flavor and spice, and they can be adjusted for more or less heat.
The final element added to Mexican street corn is the Cotija cheese. Cotija cheese is made from aged cow’s milk, and is named from where it originated in Cotija, Michoacán. It is a hard, dry cheese that is crumbly and granular in texture. It has a sharp, salty flavor, making it perfect on top of sweet corn. You don’t need any added salt or pepper on elote; the Cotija cheese adds that salty element that we’ve come to love and crave on corn on the cob. Add a little fresh lime on the top, and you have a flavor-packed, portable treat.
How to Make Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Ready to make your own elote? Follow these steps to get perfectly cooked and amazingly delicious Mexican street corn:
- Preheat the grill and prep the corn. Preheat your grill to 400-450 degrees F. Husk your corn and set the ears on a metal sheet pan.
- Add the butter and seasoning. Brush melted butter on the corn, and sprinkle with salt.
- Prep the toppings. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, chili pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and lime zest and set aside. Next, crumble the Cotija cheese and set aside. Also, prepare the lime wedges and cilantro and set them aside.
- Grill the corn. Place the buttered corn directly on the grill grates, and cook for 8-10 minutes. Turn the corn every 2 minutes to grill them evenly.
- Finish making your elote. Remove the corn from the grill. Brush on all sides with the chili lime mayo, sprinkle liberally with the Cotija cheese, and serve immediately with lime wedges and cilantro.
If you want to increase or decrease the heat in the chili lime mayonnaise, feel free to add more cayenne pepper (or reduce the amount in the recipe). I like my Mexican street corn with lots of Cotija (I’m a cheese fiend), and plenty of fresh lime.
More Grilled Corn Recipes
Summertime just begs for fresh grilled corn. We likely eat corn 2-3 times per week when it is in season, and these are some of our favorite corn recipes you’re gonna love:
Grilled Corn Salad with Tabasco Infused Lime Vinaigrette
Buffalo Grilled Corn with Blue Cheese
Easy Grilled Corn
Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Recipe
Follow the recipe, and I’ll teach you the simple steps to making your own elote (Mexican street corn) at home. Hey Grill Hey is dedicated to help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero. You can find more of my smoking and grilling recipes and videos on YouTube, Instagram, or our Facebook Page.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Video
Ingredients
- 6 ears sweet corn
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 2 limes, zested and then cut into wedges
- cilantro, as a garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 400-450 degrees F for direct heat grilling.
- Husk your corn and remove the silks.
- Set the ears of corn on a metal sheet pan.
- Brush the melted butter on all sides of the corn and sprinkle on all sides with salt.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayo, chili pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and lime zest. Set aside with a pastry brush.
- Crumble cheese into a small bowl and set aside.
- Prepare lime wedges and cilantro and set aside.
- Place buttered corn directly on the grill grates. Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2 minutes.
- Place the corn back on the sheet pan, brush on all sides with the chili lime mayo. Sprinkle on all sides with the cotija cheese, and serve immediately with lime wedges and cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I thank you for everything you do!! You are my first go to when smoking, your recipes are off the chart!!!!
Did this last week and everyone loved it! I did use hot smoked paprika for an added little oomph! I don’t think we will ever eat corn any other way! Thanks!
Damn, this is good stuff!!! Easy to prepare, also.
OMG! Made this corn this past weekend and wish I had doubled the recipe! Everyone LOVED it. My first attempt at Elote and don’t think I will need another recipe… ever.
What is the best replacement for cotija cheese? I can’t find it anywhere in Australia!
Feta cheese works pretty well!