Craving that smoky, cheesy goodness of Chili’s Roasted Street Corn? Look no further! This copycat recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican street corn, or elote, right to your kitchen. Imagine sinking your teeth into sweet, roasted corn on the cob, slathered in a creamy, tangy sauce, and sprinkled with salty cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. This isn’t just corn; it’s an experience. Perfect as a side dish for your next barbecue, a flavorful addition to taco night, or simply a delicious snack on its own, this Chili’s Roasted Street Corn recipe is guaranteed to become a new favorite.
What Makes This Chili’s Roasted Street Corn Recipe a Must-Try?
Chili’s has truly elevated the humble corn on the cob with their Roasted Street Corn. Inspired by authentic Mexican elote, this dish transforms simple ingredients into something truly special. Traditional elote from Mexican street vendors typically features grilled or roasted corn, seasoned butter, and a generous coating of a creamy sauce, often made with mayonnaise or sour cream, spiced with chili powder. Chili’s rendition captures this essence perfectly, offering a delightful balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors that tantalize the taste buds.
But why make it at home when you can order it at Chili’s? Creating this Roasted Street Corn in your own kitchen offers several advantages:
- Freshness and Quality Control: You get to select the freshest corn and control every ingredient that goes into your dish, ensuring top-notch quality and flavor.
- Customization: Want it spicier? Add more chili powder! Prefer a tangier sauce? Up the lime juice! Homemade allows you to tailor the recipe to your exact preferences.
- Cost-Effective: Making it at home is significantly more budget-friendly than ordering it out, especially if you’re serving a crowd.
- Fun and Engaging: Cooking together can be a fun activity for families and friends. This recipe is simple enough to get everyone involved, even kids!
This Chili’s copycat recipe captures all the magic of the restaurant version, allowing you to enjoy this incredible side dish whenever the craving strikes.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Chili’s Roasted Street Corn
To recreate the authentic taste of Chili’s Roasted Street Corn, you’ll need a few key ingredients, focusing on fresh, quality components:
For the Roasted Corn:
- Fresh Corn on the Cob: This is the star of the show! Look for plump ears of corn with bright green husks. Fresh, seasonal corn will deliver the best sweetness and flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and helps the seasonings adhere to the corn. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Smoked Paprika: This spice provides a wonderful smoky depth that is crucial for the roasted flavor profile.
- Chili Powder: Adds a touch of warmth and that classic chili flavor. Use a good quality chili powder for the best taste.
For the Creamy Street Corn Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base for the sauce. Full-fat mayonnaise will give the richest flavor and texture.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and balances the richness of the mayonnaise.
- Smoked Paprika: A touch more smoked paprika in the sauce enhances the smoky notes.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Lime juice is essential for brightening the sauce and adding that signature zesty kick of Mexican street corn.
For Finishing and Garnish:
- Fresh Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note that complements the other flavors perfectly.
- Cotija Cheese: This hard, salty Mexican cheese is the traditional topping for elote. Its salty, crumbly texture is a perfect counterpoint to the creamy sauce and sweet corn. Feta cheese can be used as a substitute if cotija is unavailable.
Copycat Chili
Expert Tips for Selecting the Perfect Corn on the Cob
Choosing the right corn is vital for achieving the best flavor in your Chili’s Roasted Street Corn. Here are three expert tips to guide you:
- Husk Appearance: Look for ears of corn with bright green husks that are tightly wrapped around the cob. The husks should feel slightly moist, indicating freshness. Avoid husks that are dry, yellowing, or have brown spots.
- Silk Tassels: Check the silk strands (the tassel-like threads protruding from the top). They should be light brown and slightly sticky to the touch. Avoid corn with dark, dry, or blackened silk, as this can indicate older corn.
- Kernel Feel: Gently feel the kernels through the husk. They should feel plump and well-formed. The ear of corn should feel heavy for its size, which signifies juicy kernels. Lightweight corn may be dried out and less flavorful.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chili’s Roasted Street Corn at Home
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Chili’s Roasted Street Corn:
Part 1: Roasting the Corn
- Prepare the Corn: Shuck the corn by removing the husks and silk. A helpful tip for easy silk removal is to microwave the whole ears of corn (husks on) for about 4 minutes per ear. This makes shucking and silk removal much easier.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Foil: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut four squares of aluminum foil, each large enough to wrap an ear of corn.
- Make Seasoned Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a small bowl. Whisk in the smoked paprika and chili powder until well combined.
- Season the Corn: Place an ear of corn on each foil square. Brush the seasoned butter mixture generously over all sides of each corn cob.
- Wrap and Roast: Tightly wrap each ear of corn in its aluminum foil square. Place the wrapped corn on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the corn is tender and slightly browned.
Part 2: Preparing the Creamy Sauce
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: While the corn is roasting, prepare the sauce. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, smoked paprika, and fresh lime juice.
- Chill the Sauce: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the sauce while the corn finishes roasting. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Part 3: Assembling and Serving
- Chop Cilantro: Finely chop the fresh cilantro and set aside.
- Unwrap Corn and Add Sauce: Carefully unwrap the hot roasted corn from the foil. Liberally brush the prepared mayonnaise mixture over all sides of each ear of corn.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese generously over the sauced corn. Garnish with extra cilantro sprigs, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors!
Copycat Chili
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Roasted Street Corn
Chili’s Roasted Street Corn is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a wide array of dishes, especially those with a Southwestern or Mexican flair. Here are a few delicious serving suggestions:
- Barbecue Mains: Grilled chicken, steak, ribs, or burgers are all fantastic partners for the smoky and creamy corn.
- Taco Night: Serve it alongside your favorite tacos, burritos, or enchiladas for an authentic Mexican-inspired feast.
- Fajitas: Roasted Street Corn complements the sizzling flavors of fajitas perfectly.
- Salads: Add grilled or shredded chicken or fish to a vibrant salad and serve with a side of Roasted Street Corn for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Standalone Snack: Enjoy it as a flavorful appetizer or snack on its own.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Street Corn
If you happen to have any leftover Chili’s Roasted Street Corn (though it’s unlikely!), here’s how to store and reheat it:
Storing:
- Cool Completely: Allow the corn to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Wrap Individually: Wrap each ear of corn separately in plastic wrap to maintain moisture.
- Airtight Container: Place the wrapped corn cobs in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
- Oven Reheating (Recommended): Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and re-wrap each ear of corn in aluminum foil, similar to the initial roasting process. Place the foil-wrapped corn on a baking sheet and warm in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Consider adding a fresh brush of sauce before serving for extra creaminess.
- Microwave Reheating (Quick Method): For a faster option, you can microwave the street corn. Remove the plastic wrap and wrap each ear in a damp paper towel. Microwave one ear at a time for 1 minute 30 seconds, or until heated through. Brush with fresh sauce before serving as the microwave can sometimes dry out the sauce.
More Delicious Copycat and Corn Recipes to Explore
Craving more Chili’s inspired dishes or looking for other exciting ways to enjoy corn? Check out these recipes:
- Chili’s Copycat Recipes: Explore other popular Chili’s menu items you can recreate at home.
- Grilled Corn Recipes: Discover different methods and flavor combinations for grilling corn on the cob.
- Mexican Side Dish Recipes: Find more authentic and flavorful Mexican side dishes to complement your meals.
Copycat Chili
Chili’s Roasted Street Corn Recipe
This copycat recipe allows you to easily make delicious Mexican street corn just like Chili’s in your own kitchen.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate Add to CollectionGo to Collections
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Chilis Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 185kcal
Author: Stephanie Manley
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn, shucked and silks removed
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika, plus an extra pinch for the mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, paprika, and chili powder.
- Place 4 pieces of aluminum foil on the countertop, large enough to wrap each ear of corn. Place an ear of corn on each piece of foil and spoon 2 to 3 teaspoons of seasoned butter over each ear of corn. Wrap the corn with the foil.
- Place the wrapped corn on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, until the corn has browned slightly.
- While the corn is cooking, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and a tiny pinch of paprika in a small bowl. Mix well.
- Remove the corn from the foil and spread the mayonnaise mixture over the corn. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and cilantro.
Video
[Video Placeholder – If you have a video URL, insert it here]
Nutrition
Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 556IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 0.1mg
