Name: Elote
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: Corn — 4 ears; Salt — to taste; Sour Cream — 1/2 cup; Garlic — 2 cloves; Queso Fresco — 1/2 cup, crumbled; Chili Powder — 1.5 teaspoons; Cilantro — 2 tablespoons, fresh; Lime — 2

Elote

Mexican

Elote is a beloved Mexican street food—fresh corn on the cob coated with a creamy, tangy, savory sauce and finished with crumbly cheese and chili powder. The combination of charred corn, cool crema, sharp cotija, and bright lime creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors that's both simple and deeply satisfying. It's quick to make at home and transforms a humble ingredient into something irresistible.

Ingredients

4 ears Corn
to taste Salt
1/2 cup Sour Cream -- substitute: Crème Fraîche, Greek Yogurt
2 cloves Garlic
1/2 cup, crumbled Queso Fresco -- substitute: Cottage Cheese, Feta Cheese
1.5 teaspoons Chili Powder -- substitute: Cayenne Pepper
2 tablespoons, fresh Cilantro -- substitute: Parsley
2 Lime -- substitute: Lemon

Steps

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
10 min — water reaches a rolling boil
Shuck the corn and remove the silk, then add the ears to the boiling water.
7 min — corn is tender when pierced with a fork
While the corn cooks, whisk together the crema (or sour cream mixed with a splash of milk), minced garlic, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
2 min — mixture is creamy and well combined
Drain the corn and pat dry with paper towels.
2 min — no excess water remains on the kernels
Insert a corn holder or skewer into each end of the corn for easy handling.
1 min
Brush the crema mixture generously all over each ear of corn, coating evenly.
2 min — corn is fully coated with the creamy sauce
Crumble the queso fresco (or cotija) cheese over the corn, pressing gently so it adheres to the crema.
2 min — cheese covers the entire surface
Sprinkle the chili powder and fresh cilantro over the top, then squeeze fresh lime juice over each ear.
1 min — lime juice glistens on the surface

Plating ideas

Serve elote on a wooden board lined with parchment paper, standing the ears upright so guests can easily grab them with the corn holders. — This mimics the authentic street-food presentation and makes for a casual, shareable centerpiece.
Offer extra lime wedges, additional crumbled cheese, and extra chili powder on the side so diners can customize their coating. — Allows guests to adjust the tanginess and heat to their preference.
Pair elote with fresh Mexican beer or agua fresca for an authentic meal experience. — The cool, refreshing beverages complement the rich, creamy corn perfectly.

Elote

Ingredients

Steps

Plating ideas

Learn more about each ingredient