Elote Recipe

Corn on the cob gets a delicious upgrade that’s fresh, flavorful, and perfect for summer with this Elote Recipe.

Corn on the cob and summertime have always gone hand-in-hand for me. A hot summer day, a sizzling charcoal grill with a few ears of corn with the husks still on sizzling away—that’s a perfect afternoon, if you ask me. For most of my life, all I needed to make that corn perfect was a generous slice of butter. That is, until I learned there are so many other ways to dress up a cob.

There’s nothing wrong with classic corn on the cob with butter. But after trying elote for the first time, I was instantly converted. Creamy, sour, with just a little bit of spice—it’s a far cry from that classic corn with butter. That unique blend of flavors and textures makes elote the ultimate side dish or snack, whether it’s the middle of summer or a cold winter day.

I’m not the only one who has discovered elote, or as it’s sometimes called, “street corn,” in recent years. I’ve noticed that it has exploded on restaurant menus, too. If you haven’t given it a try, it’s high time to change that. If you’re ready to up your grill game or excite those taste buds, it’s time to add elote to your recipe lineup.

Is Elote Healthy?

Even though most people think that corn is a vegetable, it’s officially classified as a fruit, and it has some nutritional benefits, including antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. However, the addition of mayonnaise and cojita cheese adds calories, fat, salt, and dairy that might not align with certain health goals.

There are a few modifications you can make to this recipe if you’re looking for a healthier option. For example, consider using Greek yogurt or mashed avocado with a pinch of water rather than spreading your elote with mayonnaise. People on low-fat diets can also cut or reduce the cotija cheese or replace it with a variety made with low-fat milk. Although traditional elote contains no-go items for vegans (e.g., mayonnaise and cotija cheese), there are ways to mimic the authentic Mexican flavors without using dairy products. For instance, there are many vegan-friendly mayonnaise brands on the market, and it’s also okay to use avocado cream as a substitute. For cheesy flavors without cheese, look for crumbles made with nuts like cashews, or sprinkle some nutritional yeast on top of your heated corn.

Do You Have to Grill Elote?

If you want that authentic street food char, grilling elote is the way to go. However, you don’t need to fire up a grill to make some delicious DIY elote. It’s perfectly fine to broil or roast your ears of corn to get a similar flavor experience. In fact, I often remove the corn from the cob and cook it in a skillet on the stovetop. Then, I stir in the ingredients instead of spreading them on the cob. I find that this makes it easier to cook indoors and is a less messy way to enjoy elote as a side dish.

For all of you air-frying fanatics out there, it’s also easy to pop your corn into the air fryer after brushing it with oil at about 400° F for about 15 minutes. 

Serving Suggestions

Elote can hold its own as a delicious snack, but there are plenty of ways to transform this treat into a feast with sides or a main meal. When you remove it from the cob, elote becomes a tasty side that’s a little like a corn salsa. Add some Air-Fryer Tortilla Chips and maybe a side of guacamole for a delicious snack spread or appetizer. If you’re looking for other sides to go along with a meal, the flavors of this Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Salad pair perfectly with the creaminess of the elote.

You could also serve elote alongside almost any meal that you’d traditionally have corn on the cob with. From BBQ ribs and pulled pork to Grilled Chicken Tenders and Hot Dogs, elote adds a nice touch to your favorite summer dinners.

Recipe