Elote Recipe

Make Mexican street corn (elote) at home in minutes! Smothered in crema, cotija, chili, and lime for a bold flavor everyone loves. This Elote Recipe is perfect for summer barbecues, family gatherings, or simply as a delicious snack. Its vibrant flavors and creamy texture make it a standout dish that will impress your guests. Plus, it’s easy to prepare and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick Preparation: This elote recipe takes only 15 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy days.
• Flavor: The combination of crema, cotija cheese, and spices creates a rich taste that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Versatile Serving: Enjoy this dish as a standalone snack or serve it alongside grilled meats at your next barbecue.
• Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh corn and herbs elevates the dish, ensuring a delicious experience with every bite.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves the unique flavors of elote; it’s sure to be a hit among family and friends!

Tools and Preparation

To make this elote recipe seamlessly, having the right tools is essential. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Grill
• Mixing bowl
• Brush for spreading dressing
• Tongs

Importance of Each Tool

• Grill: Essential for achieving that charred flavor that makes elote so special.
• Mixing bowl: A must-have for combining all the creamy ingredients without making a mess.
• Brush for spreading dressing: Allows even application of the crema dressing on each corn cob.
• Tongs: Perfect for safely turning and removing hot corn from the grill.

Ingredients

For the Elote

• 4 corn on the cob (shucked)
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove of garlic (crushed)
• Zest of one lime
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika (can be mild or smoky)
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro (not packed)
• ½ cup cotija cheese
• Lime wedges to serve

How to Make Elote Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Crema Dressing

In a bowl, mix together the ingredients for the Mexican crema dressing. Combine:
1. ⅓ cup sour cream
2. ⅓ cup mayonnaise
3. 1 peeled and crushed garlic clove (or 1 teaspoon garlic paste)
4. Lime zest from 1 lime
5. ½ teaspoon chili powder
6. ½ teaspoon paprika
7. ⅛ cup chopped cilantro (about half of your ¼ cup)

Step 2: Grill the Corn

Grill the shucked corn on high heat without husks:
1. Place the corn directly on the grill grates.
2. Turn regularly for about 10 minutes until they begin to char.

Step 3: Apply the Crema Dressing

Once grilled, remove the corn from heat:
1. Use a brush to coat each ear of corn generously with the crema dressing all over.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Top off your elote:
1. Sprinkle with ½ cup cotija cheese.
2. Squeeze lime juice from 1 lime over each cob.
3. Add your remaining cilantro on top and serve with lime wedges!

Enjoy this delightful Elote Recipe, perfect for any occasion!

How to Serve Elote Recipe

Elote, or Mexican street corn, is a delightful dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your elote experience and impress your guests.

As a Snack

• Serve it warm on skewers for easy eating at parties or picnics.
• Pair with lime wedges for an extra zest that enhances the flavors.

With Tacos

• Elote complements tacos beautifully. Serve it alongside your favorite taco varieties for a complete meal.
• The bold flavors of elote balance well with meaty or vegetarian taco fillings.

At Barbecues

• Include elote as a side dish at your next barbecue. Its smoky flavor pairs perfectly with grilled meats.
• Offer guests a chance to customize their elote with additional toppings like hot sauce or more cilantro.

In Salads

• Chop leftover elote and mix it into salads for added texture and flavor.
• Combine it with black beans, avocado, and lime dressing for a refreshing twist.

How to Perfect Elote Recipe

Creating the perfect elote requires attention to detail and some culinary tips. Here are some ways to ensure your elote turns out fantastic every time.

• Choose fresh corn: Fresh corn on the cob will give you the sweetest, juiciest flavor. Look for bright green husks and plump kernels.
• Grill over high heat: High heat helps achieve that desirable char on the corn, enhancing its natural sweetness.
• Mix crema ingredients well: Ensure you thoroughly combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and spices for a smooth dressing that clings nicely to the corn.
• Don’t skip the lime juice: Adding fresh lime juice just before serving brightens the dish and balances the richness of the crema.
• Experiment with toppings: While cotija cheese is traditional, feel free to experiment with different cheeses or spices based on your taste preferences.

Best Side Dishes for Elote Recipe

Elote is delicious on its own but can be even better when paired with complementary side dishes. Here’s a list of fantastic options to serve alongside your elote recipe.

1. Black Bean Salad: A refreshing salad made with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado dressed in lime vinaigrette.
2. Mexican Rice: Flavorful rice cooked with tomatoes and spices that provide a perfect backdrop for the bold flavors of elote.
3. Guacamole: Creamy avocado dip seasoned with lime and garlic; this classic pairs well with almost any Mexican dish.
4. Chips and Salsa: Crunchy tortilla chips served with fresh tomato salsa for snacking between bites of elote.
5. Grilled Vegetables: Seasonal veggies like zucchini and bell peppers grilled to perfection add color and nutrition to your meal.
6. Quesadillas: Warm tortillas filled with cheese and other fillings; they’re great for dipping in guacamole or salsa alongside elote.
7. Corn Salad: A light salad featuring sweet corn mixed with bell peppers, red onions, and cilantro dressed in lime juice.
8. Cilantro Lime Rice: Fluffy rice tossed with fresh cilantro and zesty lime makes a flavorful addition next to your elote.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making elote at home can be easy, but there are common pitfalls to avoid for the best results. Here are some mistakes and how to steer clear of them:

• Flavor Mistake: Failing to season properly can lead to bland elote. Ensure you use enough chili powder, lime, and cotija cheese for a vibrant taste.
• Overcooking Corn: Cooking corn too long can make it tough. Grill your corn just until it’s slightly charred for the perfect texture.
• Ignoring Fresh Ingredients: Using stale or old ingredients will affect the flavor. Always opt for fresh corn and quality dairy products for the best results.
• Skipping the Dressing: Some might forget to fully coat the corn with the crema. Make sure to brush the dressing generously for maximum flavor.
• Neglecting Garnishes: Don’t skip cilantro or lime juice as garnishes; they add freshness that enhances the dish.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftover elote in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste.

Freezing Elote Recipe

• Wrap individual cobs in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer bag.
• They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating Elote Recipe

• Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Wrap elote in foil and heat for about 10-15 minutes.
• Microwave: Place elote on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
• Stovetop: Heat in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about this elote recipe that can help you get the most out of your cooking experience.

Can I use frozen corn for this Elote Recipe?

You can use frozen corn, but fresh corn provides better flavor and texture. If using frozen, ensure it’s thawed and drained before grilling.

What is traditional Mexican street corn?

Traditional Mexican street corn, or elote, is grilled corn on the cob slathered with creamy toppings like mayonnaise or sour cream, sprinkled with cheese, chili powder, and lime juice.

How do I customize my Elote Recipe?

Feel free to add your favorite spices or herbs. Some people enjoy adding smoked paprika or even hot sauce for extra heat!

Is this Elote Recipe vegetarian?

Yes! This recipe is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat products.

Final Thoughts

This elote recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy bold Mexican flavors right at home! It’s versatile—customize it with different spices or toppings as you please. Whether served as an appetizer or side dish at your next gathering, this delightful treat will surely impress everyone. Try it today!

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Elote Recipe

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• Author: Camila
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

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Description

Make this Elote Recipe, a delightful and vibrant Mexican street corn dish, in just 15 minutes! This easy-to-follow recipe features grilled corn generously slathered with a creamy mixture of sour cream, mayonnaise, and spices, topped with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Perfect for summer barbecues or as a zesty snack, elote is not only quick to prepare but also bursting with bold flavors that will impress your guests. Enjoy it warm on skewers or as a side dish accompanying grilled meats—this crowd-pleaser is sure to be the star of any gathering!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 ears of corn (shucked)
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic (crushed)
• Zest of 1 lime
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• ½ cup cotija cheese
• Lime wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, crushed garlic, lime zest, chili powder, paprika, and half of the chopped cilantro. Mix until smooth.
2. Preheat the grill to high heat and place shucked corn directly on the grates. Grill for about 10 minutes, turning regularly until charred.
3. Remove corn from the grill and brush generously with the crema dressing.
4. Sprinkle cotija cheese over each cob and finish with lime juice and remaining cilantro before serving with lime wedges.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snack/Side Dish
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 280mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: For extra flavor, consider adding hot sauce or experimenting with different spices like smoked paprika. Fresh corn on the cob is best for this recipe; look for bright green husks and plump kernels.