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Delicious cornbread with lime wedges and cilantro on a white platter.
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Mexican Street Corn

If you love authentic Mexican flavors, you'll love this homemade elote recipe. The smoky grilled corn, creamy topping, and crumbly cheese create the perfect balance of flavors. A restaurant favorite made right at home.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 162kcal
Author: Raquel Pineira

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 ears fresh corn on cob husks removed
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat an outdoor grill to 400°F. Brush the corn lightly with melted butter. Place the corn on the grill grates and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the corn is tender and lightly charred in spots.
  • For the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Brush the corn lightly with melted butter. Place the corn on the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the corn is tender and lightly charred in spots. (The exact time depends on the wattage of the air fryer.)
  • For the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush the corn lightly with melted butter. Place the corn directly on the middle oven rack or on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until the kernels are tender. For an authentic grilled char, raise oven temp to "Broil" for the last 3 to 5 minutes.
  • While the corn cooks, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
  • When the corn is finished cooking, brush or spoon the creamy mixture over each ear while it is still hot.
  • Roll in Cotija cheese and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, then dust lightly with additional chili powder. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Notes

  • For the air fryer method, the exact cook time will vary depending on the wattage of your air fryer, so start checking around the 10-minute mark.
  • Store any leftover cream sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 281mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.1mg