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Delicious Mexican street corn elote topped with cheese and spices

Elote Recipe (Mexican Street Corn)

A delightful Mexican street food made from fresh corn on the cob slathered with creamy mayonnaise, tangy cheese, and spices, perfect for a comforting family meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 ears ears of corn (husked) Fresh corn is the star of this dish.
  • ½ cup mayonnaise Adds creaminess and richness.
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (about ½ medium lime) Enhances the flavors.
  • 1 clove garlic (finely minced or grated) Offers depth of flavor.
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne (divided or chili powder) Adds authentic street corn kick.
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted) Helps toppings adhere.
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese Salty, crumbly cheese that pairs well with corn.
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro Brings freshness and color.

Method
 

Cooking the Corn
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
  2. Add the husked corn and cook for about 5 minutes until tender and bright yellow.
  3. Transfer the corn to a plate and set aside to cool slightly.
Preparing the Mixture
  1. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, lime juice, minced garlic, and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne.
Coating the Corn
  1. Brush the melted butter generously on all sides of the corn.
Serving the Elote
  1. Slather the creamy mayonnaise mixture generously on each ear of corn.
  2. Sprinkle each ear with cotija cheese, the remaining cayenne, and chopped cilantro.

Notes

Serve warm and enjoy with plenty of napkins. Can be customized with additional toppings like avocado or smoked paprika.