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Easy Creamy Elote Street Corn Recipe Perfect for Cinco de Mayo Celebration

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This easy creamy elote street corn recipe delivers a tangy, smoky, and cheesy flavor with a hint of spice, perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any casual meal. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings authentic Mexican street food vibes to your table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream (can substitute Greek yogurt for lighter version)
  • ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled (feta or Parmesan as substitutes)
  • Juice of 1 large lime
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (ancho chili powder recommended for smoky flavor)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional garnish)
  • Salt to taste (start with ½ teaspoon)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F/200°C), approximately 10 minutes.
  2. Remove husks and silk from 4 ears of fresh corn. Brush each ear with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream, juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Place the corn directly on the grill grates. Turn every 2-3 minutes to char evenly all around, grilling for about 10-12 minutes until golden-brown spots appear.
  5. Using a basting brush or spoon, generously spread the creamy sauce over each warm ear of corn.
  6. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of crumbled cotija cheese over each coated ear, pressing lightly to adhere.
  7. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and add an extra squeeze of lime if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

If the sauce thickens too much, thin it with a splash of milk or lime juice for easier spreading. For a vegan version, swap mayo for vegan mayo, use dairy-free sour cream alternatives, and replace cotija cheese with nutritional yeast. If no grill is available, roast corn in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes, turning halfway through. Keep napkins handy as spreading sauce on hot corn can be sticky.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote, street corn, creamy elote, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican street food, grilled corn, cotija cheese, chili powder, easy recipe

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-creamy-elote-street-corn-recipe-perfect-for-cinco-de-mayo-celebration/