Grilled street corn with chili-lime mayo and cotija
Mexican Elote
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6
6 ears
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Mexican Elote
Grilled street corn with chili-lime mayo and cotija
★4.5(11)
Authentic Mexican elote — grilled corn on the cob slathered with chili-lime crema, cotija cheese, and a dusting of tajin.
10m
Prep Time
10m
Cook Time
20m
Total Time
6
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Elote is the ultimate Mexican street food. Ears of corn are grilled until charred and smoky, then slathered in a tangy, spicy mayo mixture, rolled in crumbled cotija cheese, and dusted with chili powder and a squeeze of lime.
Every bite is a flavor explosion of smoky, creamy, salty, spicy, and tangy. Once you try authentic elote, plain buttered corn will never quite satisfy again.
Mexican cuisine is one of the world's great culinary traditions, built on generations of knowledge about how to coax maximum flavor from simple ingredients. Mexican Elote captures that spirit with a combination of bold spices, fresh elements, and time-tested techniques that work beautifully in any home kitchen.
The best side dishes complement without competing. They should add contrast to the main course — something bright alongside something rich, something crunchy alongside something soft. Think about the whole plate when you cook, and your meals will feel more complete and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 6 ears corn, husked
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 tsp chili powder or tajin
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill corn, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides, about 8–10 minutes.
- 2
Mix mayonnaise with a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of chili powder.
- 3
Brush or spread the mayo mixture all over each grilled ear of corn.
- 4
Roll the coated corn in crumbled cotija cheese, pressing gently to adhere.
- 5
Dust with extra chili powder or tajin, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with warm corn tortillas and fresh lime wedges
Top with crumbled queso fresco and sliced avocado
Pair with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans
Substitutions
Cotija cheeseFeta cheese
The best widely available substitute.
MayonnaiseMexican crema or sour cream
Thinner but equally authentic.
Chili powderTajin or ancho chili powder
Tajin is the most authentic option.
FlavorPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Dried Chiles
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the dried chiles matter
The chile base sets the flavor profile here. Whole dried chiles give you a deeper, cleaner taste than leaning on a generic powder.
This ingredient shapes the sauce more than another topping would.
- More depth than standard chile powder
- Useful across sauces, braises, and marinades
Dried chiles are one of the best pantry upgrades if these flavors show up in your cooking.
Shop dried chiles for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
No grill? Broil the corn on a sheet pan for 10 minutes, turning every few minutes.
Insert wooden sticks into the ends for easy handling at a party.
Tajin seasoning (available at most grocery stores) is the most authentic option.
Taste and adjust seasoning at every stage of cooking — what tastes right before cooking often needs adjustment after.
Storage
Best served immediately. Leftovers are fine for 1 day but the topping softens.
Reheating
Reheat on a grill or in the oven. Re-apply toppings fresh if possible.
Recipe Notes from Our Kitchen
Editor's Note
Editor's note: Season assertively. Side dishes that taste perfectly seasoned on their own will complement the main course rather than fading into the background.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 ear) · 6 servings
Calories200
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein10g
Carbohydrates24g
Fat6g
Fiber3g
Sugar6g
Sodium360mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is cotija cheese?
- Cotija is a dry, salty, crumbly Mexican cheese. Feta is the closest substitute.
- Can I use frozen corn?
- Frozen corn on the cob works. Grill from frozen for a few extra minutes.
- Can I make this ahead?
- Yes. Most side dishes hold well for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, or on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Can I double this recipe?
- This scales easily. Use a larger sheet pan or cooking vessel to avoid crowding, which leads to steaming rather than browning. You may need to increase cooking time by a few minutes.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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