Making homemade Elote is a fun and delicious way to enjoy a popular Mexican street food right in your own kitchen. Here’s a recipe for Elote, also known as Mexican street corn:
Ingredients:
- 4 ears of corn, husked and cleaned
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or Parmesan cheese as a substitute)
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions:
- Grill the Corn:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Place the corn directly on the grill grates. Grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the corn is nicely charred and cooked through. You want it to have a good mix of blackened and golden spots.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika (if using), and ground cumin. Stir until well combined.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Coat the Corn:
- Once the corn is grilled, remove it from the grill and brush or spread the sauce mixture generously over each ear of corn.
- Add Cheese and Garnish:
- Roll or sprinkle the coated corn with crumbled Cotija cheese, making sure to cover the entire surface.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and an extra sprinkle of chili powder or paprika if desired.
- Serve:
- Serve the Elote hot, with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top. Add hot sauce if you like extra heat.
Enjoy your homemade Elote! It’s a great dish for summer barbecues, casual gatherings, or just a delicious treat.
