Authentic Elote

The Crispy Chef

This authentic elote recipe brings the flavors of Mexican street food straight to your kitchen. Charred corn on the cob is slathered in creamy mayo sauce, sprinkled with cotija cheese, chili, and lime, and finished with cilantro. A vibrant, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for summer cookouts or weeknight dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Mexican

Servings cobs

Calories 230 kcal

Equipment

Grill or skillet
Tongs
Mixing bowl
brush or spoon

Ingredients

4 cobs fresh corn on the cob, husked
2 tbsp butter or olive oil
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Peel husks from corn and remove silk. Optionally, boil for 5–7 minutes to soften before grilling.
Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Brush corn with butter or oil. Grill for 10–15 minutes, turning often, until golden brown and charred.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chili powder, paprika, lime juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Slather grilled corn with sauce, sprinkle with cotija cheese, and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges.

Notes

For best results, grill the corn until it has a nice char for extra flavor. If you can’t find cotija cheese, substitute with feta. You can also bake the corn at 400°F for 20–25 minutes if you don’t have a grill. Best eaten fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 750IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg

Keyword authentic elote, corn recipe, elote, grilled corn, Mexican street corn