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Flavorful Grilled Mexican Street Corn on the Cob

grilled Mexican street corn on the cob - featured image

An easy and delicious grilled Mexican street corn recipe featuring smoky char, creamy mayo and crema sauce, tangy lime, and spicy chili powder. Perfect for summer snacks and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ears fresh corn on the cob, husks removed
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream or Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta cheese)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (preferably ancho chili powder)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). If using charcoal, wait until coals are covered with white ash.
  2. Remove husks and silk from the corn cobs. Brush each ear lightly with melted butter to help with browning and flavor.
  3. Place the corn directly on the grill grates. Turn every 2-3 minutes to get an even char all around, about 10-12 minutes total, aiming for golden-brown with some charred spots.
  4. While the corn grills, whisk together mayonnaise, Mexican crema (or sour cream), lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Remove grilled corn from heat. Using a brush or spoon, generously spread the sauce all over each ear while still warm.
  6. Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the sauced corn, followed by chopped cilantro and an extra dash of chili powder if desired.
  7. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top just before eating.

Notes

Do not over-char the corn to avoid bitterness; turn frequently. Use fresh corn for best sweetness and juiciness. Prepare sauce while corn grills to save time. Apply sauce while corn is warm for better absorption. Chill cotija cheese before crumbling for easier sprinkling. For dairy-free version, use vegan mayo and omit cheese or use vegan cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican street corn, grilled corn, elote, summer snack, smoky corn, cotija cheese, creamy sauce, lime, chili powder