Experience the vibrant flavors of Mexican street food with this delicious elote recipe. Grilled to perfection, the corn is slathered in a creamy mixture and topped with tangy cotija cheese, a hint of chili powder, and fresh cilantro. Serve it with lime wedges for an extra burst of citrusy goodness.
Cotija cheese might not be a staple in every household, but it's essential for authentic elote. This crumbly, salty cheese can usually be found in the cheese section of most supermarkets or at specialty stores. If you can't find cotija, feta cheese can be a good substitute. Also, make sure to pick up fresh cilantro and limes for the best flavor.
Ingredients for Elote Recipe
Corn: Fresh ears of corn are the star of this dish, providing a sweet and juicy base that gets charred on the grill.
Mayonnaise: Adds a creamy texture and rich flavor to the corn.
Sour cream: Blends with the mayonnaise to create a tangy, smooth coating for the corn.
Cotija cheese: A crumbly, salty cheese that adds a distinctive taste and texture to the elote.
Chili powder: Provides a mild heat and smoky flavor that complements the sweetness of the corn.
Cilantro: Freshly chopped cilantro adds a burst of herbal freshness to the dish.
Lime: Lime wedges are served on the side to squeeze over the corn, adding a zesty, citrusy finish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When grilling corn, make sure to rotate the ears frequently to ensure even charring. This not only enhances the flavor but also gives the corn a beautiful, appetizing appearance. For an extra layer of flavor, consider brushing the corn with a bit of melted butter before applying the mayonnaise and sour cream mixture. This will help the toppings adhere better and add a rich, buttery taste to your elote.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
corn - Substitute with frozen corn kernels: If fresh corn is not available, frozen corn kernels can be used. Thaw and roast them to mimic the flavor of grilled corn.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor while being a healthier option.
sour cream - Substitute with crema: Crema is a Mexican dairy product similar to sour cream but slightly thinner and less tangy, making it a more authentic choice.
cotija cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese has a similar crumbly texture and salty flavor, making it a good alternative to cotija cheese.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can provide a mild heat and smoky flavor, though it is less spicy than chili powder.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can be used if you prefer a milder herb or if cilantro is not available.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon wedges can be used to provide a similar acidic and citrusy flavor if limes are not available.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- Allow the corn to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the corn soggy.
- Wrap each ear of elote individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain its flavor and texture.
- Place the wrapped elote in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This helps to keep it fresh and prevents any unwanted odors from seeping in.
- Store the elote in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This ensures that it remains safe to eat while retaining its delicious taste.
- For longer storage, consider freezing the elote. Wrap each ear tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. Frozen elote can be stored for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, thaw the elote in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Then, warm it up in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the elote on the grill or stovetop. Brush with a little olive oil to prevent it from drying out, and heat until warmed through.
- Avoid microwaving the elote as it can make the corn rubbery and less enjoyable.
- If you have leftover toppings like cotija cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They can be used to refresh the elote when reheating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Wrap each ear of corn in aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Place the wrapped corn on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Unwrap and enjoy your reheated elote with a fresh squeeze of lime.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
- Place the corn in the skillet and cover with a lid.
- Turn occasionally, heating for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
- Serve with additional cotija cheese and cilantro if desired.
Microwave Method:
- Place the corn on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a damp paper towel to keep it moist.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
- Add a fresh sprinkle of chili powder and cotija cheese before serving.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the corn in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Serve with a wedge of lime and enjoy the crispy texture.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the corn, giving it a charred and smoky flavor.
Tongs: Essential for turning the corn on the grill to ensure even cooking.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the mayonnaise and sour cream.
Basting brush: Helps to evenly coat the grilled corn with the mayonnaise and sour cream mixture.
Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring out the mayonnaise, sour cream, and cotija cheese.
Knife: Used for chopping the cilantro and cutting the lime into wedges.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping cilantro and cutting lime.
Serving platter: Ideal for presenting the finished elote with lime wedges.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-mix the sauce: Combine the mayonnaise and sour cream ahead of time and store in the fridge.
Prep the corn: Husk the corn and have it ready to go before you start grilling.
Use pre-crumbled cheese: Save time by buying crumbled cotija cheese instead of crumbling it yourself.
Chop cilantro in advance: Chop the cilantro and store it in an airtight container.
Grill in batches: If you have a large grill, cook all the corn at once to save time.
Elote Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 ears corn husked
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup cotija cheese crumbled
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 1 unit lime cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise and sour cream together.
- Brush the mixture onto the grilled corn.
- Sprinkle cotija cheese, chili powder, and cilantro over the corn.
- Serve with lime wedges.
Nutritional Value
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