Easy Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Mexican street corn (elote) is grilled or air-fried corn topped with a creamy lime sauce, cotija cheese, and chili powder for an easy side dish.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 335kcal
Ingredients
- 4 ears fresh corn husks removed
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder plus more for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
For the outdoor grill:
- Preheat an outdoor grill to 400°F. Brush the corn lightly with melted butter. Place the corn on the grill grates and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the corn is tender and lightly charred in spots.
For the air fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Brush the corn lightly with melted butter. Place the corn on the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the corn is tender and lightly charred in spots. (The exact time depends on the wattage of the air fryer.)
- While the corn cooks, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
- When the corn is finished cooking, brush or spoon the creamy mixture over each ear while it is still hot. Roll in cotija cheese and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, then dust lightly with additional chili powder. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
Tips for Success
- Use fresh corn when possible for the best flavor and texture.
- Apply the sauce while the corn is hot so it sticks better.
- Don’t skip the lime—it helps balance the richness of the sauce.
- Turn the corn frequently for even cooking and charring.
- Mexican street corn is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently before serving, though the texture is best when freshly made.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cob | Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 545mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 600IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 1mg
