Flavorful Charred Mexican Street Corn Recipe Easy Creamy Cotija Sauce
A quick and easy Mexican street corn recipe featuring smoky charred corn slathered in a creamy, tangy cotija cheese sauce with a hint of chili and lime.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husks removed
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup sour cream (full-fat or light)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Remove the husks and silk from 4 ears of fresh corn. Rinse and pat dry.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F/204°C).
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl.
- In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, 1/3 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro. Stir until smooth but slightly chunky.
- Brush each ear of corn generously with melted butter.
- Grill the corn for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes until charred and caramelized but not burnt.
- While still warm, slather the creamy cotija sauce all over each ear, making sure to coat between kernels.
- Sprinkle extra cotija cheese and a pinch of chili powder on top for garnish.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or lime juice to loosen. Move corn to a cooler part of the grill if it chars too quickly. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute cotija and sour cream with dairy-free cheese and coconut yogurt, and use vegan mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: 245
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: Mexican street corn, elote, cotija cheese, grilled corn, creamy sauce, easy side dish, summer recipe