Flavorful Elote Mexican Street Corn Recipe with Creamy Spicy Sauce
A quick and easy recipe for authentic Mexican street corn with a creamy, spicy sauce that balances smoky, tangy, and spicy flavors. Perfect for summer gatherings or a flavorful snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked and cleaned
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (feta can be a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Husk the corn and remove all silk strands. Rinse lightly and pat dry (about 5 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt to taste until smooth. Chill in the fridge while grilling the corn (about 10 minutes).
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F or 200°C), approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Brush each ear of corn evenly with melted butter to help the sauce stick and add richness.
- Grill the corn for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes to get an even char with some blackened spots but not burnt.
- Immediately after grilling, brush or spread the creamy spicy sauce generously over each warm ear of corn.
- Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese and chopped fresh cilantro on top of each ear.
- Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.
Notes
If the sauce is too thick, add a teaspoon of water or lime juice to loosen before spreading. Rotate corn often while grilling to avoid burning. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. Cotija cheese is preferred for authentic taste; feta is a good substitute. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo, sour cream alternatives, and nutritional yeast or vegan cheese instead of Cotija.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: elote, Mexican street corn, creamy spicy sauce, grilled corn, summer recipe, BBQ side dish, easy corn recipe