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ELOTE corn served on a platter with lime wedges

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

Katerina | Diethood
Elote, aka Mexican Street Corn, is charred and juicy corn on the cob smothered in mayo, chile, lime, and cilantro sauce.
Servings : 4
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 ears corn on the cob
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt, sour cream, or Mexican crema
  • 1 cup finely grated cotija cheese , divided
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • zest of 1 whole lime
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder, plus more for serving
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • lime wedges, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Husk the ears of corn and remove silk. Snap off the ends, or shanks.
  • Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium high heat until hot. You need a hot pan so that when you add in the corn, it starts to char immediately.
  • Add ears of corn to the hot skillet and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until charred all around. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • In the meantime, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, ½ cup grated cotija, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, ancho chile powder, and salt in a mixing bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • Set aside 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro for serving; add the rest to the mayonnaise mixture and whisk to combine.
  • Remove ears of corn from the skillet.
  • Using a pair of tongs, pick up the corn, one by one, and roll in the mayonnaise mixture.
  • Transfer to a serving platter.
  • Garnish with more cotija, a sprinkle of ancho chile powder, and reserved cilantro.
  • Serve with lime wedges.

Notes

  • Fresh Corn: Always choose the freshest corn for the best flavor and texture. It should have bright green husks, and the kernels should be plump and juicy.
  • Char it Well: Charring the corn properly is key to getting that delicious smoky flavor.
  • Spice it Up: Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your heat preference. Some like it spicy, some not so much.
  • Grill Option: If you have a grill, use it! Grilling corn gives a wonderful flavor that's hard to replicate in the oven or on the stove.
  • Serve Immediately: Elote is best served right away while it's still warm and the coating is creamy and delicious.

Nutrition

Calories: 360 kcal | Carbohydrates: 21 g | Protein: 9 g | Fat: 31 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Cholesterol: 47 mg | Sodium: 926 mg | Potassium: 330 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 9 g | Vitamin A: 926 IU | Vitamin C: 10 mg | Calcium: 212 mg | Iron: 1 mg | Net Carbs: 19 g

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.