This incredibly delicious and cheesy Mexican Street Corn Recipe, also known as Elote, is bursting with flavor and just the right amount of spice. It’s the perfect side dish to elevate any Mexican meal!
Mexican street corn, with its creamy, savory, and slightly spicy profile, is a fantastic complement to a wide array of Mexican dishes. We especially love serving it alongside other classic sides like creamy Refried Beans and flavorful Spanish Rice.
Close up image of Mexican street corn topped with cotija and cilantro, showcasing the creamy texture and fresh toppings.
Inspired by Torchy’s Tacos Street Corn
Have you ever heard of Torchy’s Tacos? For those unfamiliar, it’s a popular taco chain, though unfortunately, its locations are limited. It’s truly a shame because they offer some of the most amazing Tacos and Side Dishes you could ever hope to taste.
While Torchy’s is renowned for their creative and delicious tacos, two other menu items consistently steal the show for us: their Mexican street corn and their queso. While I’m still working on perfecting a copycat queso recipe, today I’m thrilled to share this copycat recipe for their incredible street corn.
You might find street corn served as “elote”, which is the entire corn cob grilled and dressed with toppings. However, this recipe focuses on Mexican corn off the cob, sometimes referred to as esquites. Personally, I find it much easier to prepare and serve this way, making it perfect for a quick and flavorful side dish.
Corn kernels in a cast iron skillet with pats of butter melting on top, illustrating the initial cooking stage of the recipe.
How to Make Authentic Mexican Street Corn (Esquites)
This recipe delivers the absolute best Mexican street corn, packed with authentic flavor and easy to make at home.
COOK THE CORN. Begin by heating a large skillet over high heat. Add your corn – you can use canned, frozen, or fresh (see tips below). Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and slight charring. This step enhances the corn’s natural sweetness and adds a touch of smoky flavor.
SEASON AND MELT BUTTER. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add butter and salt to the hot corn. Stir until the butter is completely melted and coats all the kernels. The butter adds richness and depth of flavor, while the salt enhances all the other seasonings to come.
MAKE IT CREAMY. Transfer the corn to a mixing bowl. Stir in mayonnaise and lime juice. The mayonnaise provides the signature creaminess of Mexican street corn, and the lime juice adds a crucial tangy brightness that balances the richness.
ADD SPICE AND CHEESE. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of chili powder over the corn mixture and stir well to combine. Finally, generously sprinkle cotija cheese, another dash of chili powder, and freshly chopped cilantro over the top. Cotija cheese is a firm, salty Mexican cheese that’s essential for authentic flavor.
SERVE IMMEDIATELY. For the best taste and texture, serve your Mexican street corn immediately while it’s warm and the cheese is slightly melted.
Mexican street corn ingredients mixed in a glass bowl, highlighting the creamy sauce, corn, and seasonings before topping.
Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Street Corn
This skillet street corn recipe is incredibly versatile and works well with different types of corn.
Fresh Corn: For the absolute best flavor, especially during corn season, use fresh corn on the cob. Husk the corn and lightly brush the cobs with vegetable oil. Grill the corn over high heat, turning every 2-3 minutes, until kernels are slightly charred and cooked through. Once cooled slightly, cut the kernels off the cob and proceed with the recipe. Grilling adds a wonderful smoky flavor that elevates the dish.
Frozen Corn: Frozen corn is a convenient alternative to fresh. Simply thaw the corn before cooking. You might need to cook it for a few extra minutes in the skillet to ensure it’s heated through and slightly caramelized.
Ingredient Swaps: While this recipe aims to replicate the deliciousness of Torchy’s Tacos street corn, you can make some substitutions to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. However, remember that each substitution will slightly alter the overall flavor profile, moving it away from the Torchy’s copycat.
- Cheese Alternatives: If you can’t find cotija cheese, feta cheese or parmesan cheese can be used as substitutes. They offer a salty and savory flavor, though cotija is truly the most authentic.
- Herb Swap: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, fresh parsley can be used instead. However, cilantro provides a distinct citrusy and fresh flavor that is traditionally used in Mexican cuisine.
- Creamy Base Variations: For the creamy element, you can experiment with Mexican crema, Greek yogurt, avocado mayo, or even a drizzle of olive oil in place of regular mayonnaise. Keep in mind that each of these will impart a slightly different flavor and texture. Mexican crema will add extra tang, Greek yogurt a healthier twist, avocado mayo a richer flavor, and olive oil a lighter option.
- Lime Lovers: Serve lime wedges on the side for those who like an extra burst of fresh lime juice.
Serving and Storing Suggestions
Mexican street corn is an amazing side dish that pairs perfectly with almost any Mexican main course. Here are some serving suggestions:
Serving Suggestions:
Serve it Warm or Cold: While I think this Mexican street corn recipe is best served warm, it’s also delicious at room temperature or even chilled. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed at any temperature preference.
Perfect Pairings: Serve alongside tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, grilled chicken, or fish. It’s also a fantastic addition to BBQ gatherings or potlucks.
Make it a Main: For a light lunch or vegetarian meal, serve Mexican street corn over quinoa or rice, or add black beans for extra protein and fiber.
Garnish: Feel free to add extra toppings like a sprinkle of smoked paprika, a drizzle of hot sauce, or a dollop of sour cream for added flavor and visual appeal.
Storing Leftovers:
Storage: Store any leftover Mexican street corn in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Be careful not to overheat, as the mayonnaise-based sauce can separate slightly.
Mexican street corn recipe served off the cob in a white bowl, showcasing the vibrant colors and appetizing presentation.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen corn to make Mexican street corn?
Yes, absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with frozen corn. Just thaw it before cooking and allow a few extra minutes in the skillet to ensure it heats through properly. You can also use kernels cut from cooked corn on the cob – see the tips above for grilling instructions.
Is Mexican street corn spicy?
This recipe as written has a mild spice level from the chili powder. You can easily adjust the spice to your liking. Reduce the amount of chili powder for less heat, or increase it if you love a spicier kick. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
Enjoy this flavorful and easy Mexican street corn recipe – it’s sure to become a new favorite side dish!
5 from 578 votes
Mexican Street Corn Recipe
By: Lil’ Luna
Made in under 20 minutes, this deliciously cheesy Mexican street corn recipe is a perfectly spiced complement to any Mexican dinner.
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 8 minutes mins
Total: 13 minutes mins
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 (15.25-ounce) cans corn, drained
- 2 tablespoons butter
- kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1-2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder, divided
- cotija cheese
- cilantro, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet on high heat and add the corn. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and add in butter and salt. Stir until mixed.
- Place corn in a bowl and stir in mayo and lime juice. Add 1 teaspoon chili powder and mix well.
- Sprinkle with cojita cheese, chili powder, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy
Video
Notes
Warm or cold. I prefer this best Mexican street corn recipe served warm, but you can serve it at whatever temperature you like! STORE. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 291kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 13mg, Sodium: 94mg, Potassium: 488mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 955IU, Vitamin C: 12.6mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
