Mexican Street Corn
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This Mexican Street Corn is an easy peasy healthier side dish. The perfect companion to any Mexican or Tex-Mex inspired meal, and a Taco Tuesday must-have! It’s got a bunch of flavor and you can spice it up as much as you’d like.
I’ve had requests upon requests to get this up as soon as I possibly can, and I have a moment of free time so here it is!
So here’s my gift to you in honor of Miss Pepper’s Birthday Week, “Mexican-Style Street Corn” also known as “Elotes”. This Mexican Street Corn is a healthier version so it’s not EXACTLY like the authentic kind, but you’d never know! I promise.
Now that summer is here, we will soon have access to loads and loads of fresh sweet corn from the farm, so soon there will probably be corn in just about every recipe, so hope y’all like corn! I mean there’s not many things better than some fresh summer sweet corn!
Okay, maybe a baby eating their first cob ever is better than fresh summer sweet corn!
P.S. How many times do you think I’ll say Fresh Summer Sweet Corn this summer? Start your bets, guys.
I’ll start off by saying that I’m so thankful that I’ve had a friendship with a lady who basically grew up in Mexico, and came to the United States when she was about 15 years old. This seems like a million years ago when we used to cook together, but she taught me some really awesome things in the kitchen when it came to Mexican cuisine. I will NEVER say I am good at it, because all that I do is from memory, and let’s be honest, I lost my memory after having Miss Pepper. I’ve lost two debit cards, two sets of car keys, a social security card, pants… that’s right, pants. The list goes on.
what was I saying?
Oh yes! Mexican Street Corn and the lovely woman who taught me wonderful things in the kitchen. She did not teach me how to make this, but she did bring me to this amazing Mexican Food Market where they sold this little cup of deliciousness out of a small cart in front of the market.
I’ve had it twice in my life, probably close to 8 years ago, and I can still taste it in my mouth like it was yesterday! It’s just not something you forget. When I set out to Lighten this up, I honestly didn’t think I could do it. I mean, mayonnaise… and lots of it. But I focused more on the unique tastes and spiciness, rather than the creamy mayonnaise part. Don’t worry! This is still creamy as can be. Who would have thought you could still have something like this and NOT feel guilty about it?
I’ve always accepted a challenge, and this my friends, is how you lighten up Mexican Street Corn. This is literally all from a memory so please don’t scold me if I forgot anything important! When I took my first taste of the dish I made, it took me right back to being 19 years old in front of that awesome little food market.
Food can be so wonderfully nostalgic!
Let’s start with some corn! You do not need to use fresh corn cut off the cob, you may use canned or frozen, whatever you fancy! But when I can get it, I prefer it freshly cut off the cob.
Next pile on your mayo, sour cream, cayenne pepper, green onions, and most importantly, Ground Queso Cotija.
(I use Supremo Brand- you can buy it in wedge form and grate it yourself, or you can buy it in a container that looks like the Parmesan Cheese Shakers. This is found in the refrigerated section where they keep different Mexican cheeses, tortillas, and chorizo. If you have trouble finding this cheese go ahead and use Queso Fresco. It works beautifully!)
Then go ahead and load it into a small pan and warm it through on the stove over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes until heated. To save on time and dishes you can also use your microwave and heat for about 1 1/2 -2 minutes. I’ve done both ways. It comes out exactly the same, I promise!
Now dish up a serving and top with some of your favorite hot sauce and bit more cayenne pepper if you like the heat! Don’t forget a lil cilantro to make it even better.
Hope you all enjoy!
Ingredients
- 3 cups corn kernels heated up
- ¼ cup light mayo, preferably hellman's
- 2 tbsp non fat sour cream
- 3 ½ tbsp Ground Cotija Cheese Queso Fresco works well too
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- juice of one lime
- hot sauce of your choice for topping
- green onions, finely chopped optional
- cilantro, finely chopped optional
Instructions
- Mix corn, mayo, sour cream, green onions, cayenne pepper, chili powder, juice of one lime, and Queso Cotija together until well combined.
- Heat in a small pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until heated through. (You can also heat up in the microwave for 1 ½- 2 minutes)
- Top individual portions with hot sauce and/or extra cayenne for extra heat!
- Enjoy!
This was such a delicious recipe! Thank you, we used to get it from the hot bar at our grocery store. The chef left and it’s no longer available. I tried several recipes and none compared. The whole family loved your version.
That makes me so happy! I’m so glad you found a version that you and your whole family loved! =)
I cannot tell you how we love this recipe! Its a summer staple for us. I usually have to double the recipe, because my family devour it!
#top2021 My husband had something similar at a function and loved it. After several fails this recipe delivered. So good! I love to use Trader Joes frozen roasted corn when fresh is not in season.
This recipe is SUCH a hit, I need to quadruple it when I have my family over. Over the last couple of years I’ve tweaked it to use Trader Joe’s frozen roasted corn instead of fresh. It’s not as good as fresh, but it’s a huge time saver and far less messier 🙂 I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve shared this recipe with! #top2021
Can’t wait to make this with our Taco Tuesday! It’s so easy! #top2021
#top2021 this is a family favorite!
Definitely going to make this next time we make our favorite taco crunch wraps!! #top2021
I want to try this recipe this. It looks delicious!
#top2021
Yum! Perfect & so easy to make!!!
#top2021 I love, love, love serving this great side dish with all things Mexican. Yum!
My husband and I absolutely love this dish. Pairs well with so many things. I think if he had to choose, this would be one of his favorite dishes. I always have to make double and triple batches so he can have it all week! #top2021
Haven’t made this yet but I will be this year! #top2021
I can’t wait to make this! #top2021
Oh my!!! I am totally adding this recipe into ones to try in the new year. It looks YUM!!! #top2021
I’ve really enjoyed making this recipe and it was a HIT at a potluck I brought it to! #top2021
I’m so excited to try this corn! #top2021
I love Mexican Street Corn and can’t wait to try this! #top2021
Great flavor! Love other ways to eat corn. #top25
Great flavor! Love other ways to eat corn.
Such a great recipe. So yummy! #top2021
Love making this every summer #top2021
Very yummy! I baked mine instead with extra cheese on top. Tastes like what I got at a mexican restaurant recently!
I’m so happy you enjoyed!!
Can I use frozen or canned corn? Which one would be better?
This is such a delicious, easy recipe that packs a big punch!! It’s a perfect side dish for simple tacos or any Tex Mex dish. I make this one all the time and all four of my little kids love it!
Love Mexican Street Corn. Can’t wait to try it! #top2021
This stuff is addictive! We made it for the Super Bowl. My whole family loves it, and it’s hard to keep my 12-year-old from eating the whole recipe in one sitting. @aim_2_sustain
Yum!
I LOVE this SOOOO much. Just the right amount of creamy heat and that fresh lime/cilantro flavor keeps it light. Star, your blog, sense of humor, and delicious recipes have saved my sanity during COVID. I had lost 20 lbs. pre-COVID and it was slowly creeping back on. Found your blog and my life changed forever. I’m down a total of 50 lbs. and the rest of my family has lost some, too. We almost never eat out any more because the food at home tastes better. I have tried out new ingredients (queso blanco and egg roll wrapper most recently) and feel less stressed because I no longer say “I don’t know what to make for dinner.” For 2021, I am trying every top 20 recipe of 2020. If you ever wonder if what you do matters, remember this post–IT DOES and THANK YOU!! I’m originally from the Midwest also, so I love your easy-going, authentic, no-frills personality. Keep ’em comin’!
My daughter lived in Puerto Rico for a while and gave it 5 stars also. In her words…it’s a keeper and 150% it SLAPPED!
That’s amazing!! thanks for letting me know!
thank you so much for being here Jayne and taking the time to comment. It truly is comments like these that keep me going on the rougher days (like today). I’m so so happy to see I’ve helped you along your journey and provide a bit of comedic relief during such a weird time in the world.
This is my FAVORITE! Since I know you’re a Chicago girl at heart, I will tell you that any time I go to a White Sox game, my first stop is ALWAYS for Elotes! I have made this recipe SEVERAL times, even taking it to parties (it’s really good served cold, as a dip too!) and it’s always a hit. I usually use Tajin instead of the lime juice and spices (because I always have it on hand) and it’s always delish! ❤️
So good and so quick to prepare. I now make this once a week.
This is ALWAYS my go to when we’re having tacos or mexican food for dinner! So happy you enjoy it too!
Could I use feta in place of the cheese?
Should be just fine!
Do you know if there are any “boring” cheeses that can be used? I live in Australia and Mexican food is super hard to get.
Hi Jaime! You can try parmesan cheese, it’ll have a little bit different taste, but still good. I’ve used it in a pinch!
Holy Smokes Batman! I prepped this for dinner tonight but…..it may not survive that long, so good!
Living on the boarder for a great number of years I always loved corn in the cup!!! It has always been a great snack.
Do you cook the corn first this cut it off the cob? Or do you just cut it off raw and cook it all together?
Fresh off the cob, I sauté it for just a few minutes longer than frozen or canned corn.
I mixed this all just now. It makes a lot. If I don’t heat some and keep in refrigerator would it be good for a day or several day? I can just make a smaller batch next time if not.
Hi Ashley this will stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days!
I was smoking burned end pork belly’s for tacos. I threw this together, I don’t use “lite” mayo or sour cream…. A huge hit! I actually threw it in the smoker too! Thank you so much!
Sounds amazing!!!
This was AMAZING! I had this as a side for taco Tuesday and my husband could not stop raving about how delicious this was (and I agree)! So quick and easy to make and can’t wait to make it again!
Does this do well if you freeze it and reheat?
I haven’t tried it, but I don’t think the mayo would do too well in the freezer.
could I substitute fat free greek yogurt for the sour cream?
Yep!
You’re soooooo Awesome!!! Thank you for all that you do and sharing your gifts!!
do you think this would work in the crock pot?
My husband and I both loved this! So good! Thanks for another good one Star!!
My husband and I both loved this! So good! Thanks for another good one Star!!
I a Mexican American living in Los Angeles. There are plenty of places where I can buy esquite. I saw this recipe a while back and tried it today for Easter. My family LOVED it and I loved that I could control the quality of all the ingredients.
I a Mexican American living in Los Angeles. There are plenty of places where I can buy esquite. I saw this recipe a while back and tried it today for Easter. My family LOVED it and I loved that I could control the quality of all the ingredients.
I’m going to try this with your Mexican Shredded Chicken! I just joined Weight Watchers and was looking for some good recipes. Yours sound amazing. Thank you!
I’m going to try this with your Mexican Shredded Chicken! I just joined Weight Watchers and was looking for some good recipes. Yours sound amazing. Thank you!
Thank you so much for posting all of your recipes. I just joined weight watchers two weeks ago and this has given me hope that i can eat good food and still lose weight. I just found your blog by way of a pinterest recipe.
Thank you so much for posting all of your recipes. I just joined weight watchers two weeks ago and this has given me hope that i can eat good food and still lose weight. I just found your blog by way of a pinterest recipe.
I love your recipes! My favorite is the Skinnyish Dish chicken and rice. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much! So happy you enjoy the recipes
Loved it!
I’m so happy you enjoyed!!
Loved it!
I’m so happy you enjoyed!!
I will forever love you for this. LOVE.
Yay!!!!! I already love you forever, Erin! I hope you and your beautiful family enjoy this!
I will forever love you for this. LOVE.
Yay!!!!! I already love you forever, Erin! I hope you and your beautiful family enjoy this!