This Mexican Street Corn recipe can be made on or off the cob. It’s a delicious, easy-to-make side dish your friends will adore!
If you’ve never had Mexican Street Corn, you are missing out! This dish is a must-try for anyone who loves corn. Mexican Street Corn is a popular dish with fresh corn, Mexican Crema, cheese, spices, and lime juice. The result is a sweet, savory, and spicy dish that will leave you wanting more.
Why This Recipe Works
- The fresh corn and cilantro sweetness and fresh flavor.
- Lime juice acidity helps balance out the sweetness of the corn.
- Mexican Crema and the tangy cheese give add a sharp and salty richness.
- The spices add a perfect touch of heat.
What Corn Is Best
I use grilled corn for this recipe, but you can use fresh or frozen corn. If you are using fresh corn, be sure to remove the husks and silks before cooking.
When buying fresh corn, look for ears that are bright yellow and have green husks. The kernels should be plump and firm, and there should be no brown spots. Avoid ears of corn that have dried-out husks or kernels that are shriveled.
Ingredient Notes
Corn: Use fresh or frozen corn for this recipe. If using frozen corn, thaw it before using.
Mexican Crema: This is a type of Mexican sour cream that is thinner and less tangy than regular sour cream. You can find it in the Hispanic section of your grocery store, or you can substitute regular sour cream.
Mayonaise: This recipe uses regular mayonnaise, low fat, or Vegenaise (vegan mayonnaise). You can substitute it with extra crema or sour cream if you’re not a fan.
Cheese: I like to use cotija cheese, but you can substitute it with feta or any type of shredded cheese you like.
Garlic: I like to use fresh garlic for this recipe, but you can substitute it with garlic powder.
Cilantro: Cilantro (aka fresh coriander) is a fresh herb with a slightly citrusy flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can leave it out or substitute it with another fresh herb like parsley.
Lime juice and zest: Use freshly squeezed juice for the best possible flavor, and be sure to zest the lime first to keep things easy.
Spices: Instead of using chili powder which is an American spice mix, I use cumin, paprika, and ground chili pepper (such as cyan pepper). You can use chili powder instead of individual spices if you’re in the US.
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Let’s Make Mexican Street Corn
Ingredients
- 6 ears Grilled Corn On The Cob or Boiled Corn On The Cob
- ¾ cup Mexican Crema or Sour Cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ⅛ teaspoon ground chipotle chili powder or cyan pepper (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 lime juiced and zested
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup Cotija cheese crumbled plus more to top
Instructions
- Mix the crema, mayonnaise, garlic, cilantro, spices, salt, pepper, and cotija cheese. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed, and set aside.
On the Cob
- Top each corn cob with the crema mixture, and sprinkle a bit of extra cotija cheese and cilantro.
Off the Cob
- Add the cooked, hot corn to a bowl (see the post for instructions on removing the corn from the cob).
- Mix in the crema mixture, and sprinkle a bit of extra cotija cheese and cilantro.
Deana says
I love how simple and easy this recipe is to follow. The end result is delicious.
Erren Hart says
Thank you for leaving a comment about this recipe. Your feedback is appreciated, and I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future recipes. Thanks again for trying it out and sharing your thoughts!
Frieda says
We made this with your shrimp tacos and they both turned out great! thanks for a great dinner!
Erren Hart says
Thank you so much for your kind words and for being a part of the Erren’s Kitchen community!! We’re so happy you love it, and we hope you’ll continue to enjoy it for years to come. 🙂
Zelda F says
This recipe is fantastic! The sweet corn is perfectly balanced by the tangy, creamy sauce and the crumbled cheese. It’s easy to make and so delicious. I can’t recommend this recipe enough!
Erren Hart says
I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you for trying out this recipe and for leaving such a positive review. We’re glad you enjoyed it and hope you’ll come back again soon!
Gina H says
I’ve never seen corn done this way before. I tested it last night for a party this weekend. It was really delicious! What a treat! I know it will be a hit!
Erren Hart says
Thank you for trying our recipe and for leaving such a positive review. We’re glad you enjoyed it!