Elote
Grilled corn slathered with crema, cotija, lime, and chili.
Ingredients
- 4 Corn kernels
- 60 ml Mexican crema
- 60 g Cotija
- 1 Lime
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (optional)
Method
- Char the corn kernels in a hot, dry pan over high heat until blistered in spots and tender.
- Toss the hot corn with the crema and cotija, then dust with chili powder and finish with a squeeze of lime.
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About Elote
Elote is Mexican grilled street corn, ears charred over heat and then slathered with a creamy, tangy, spicy coating that turns plain corn into something crave-worthy. Sold from carts across Mexico, it is a defining piece of the country's antojito street-food tradition, and its magic is the layering of textures and flavors on a single cob: sweet char, cool crema, salty cheese, bright lime, and a dusting of chili. This version uses the kernels rather than whole cobs, blistering them in a hot dry pan so they stay tender with spots of caramelized color.
The coating is what makes it: Mexican crema for richness, crumbled cotija for a salty, milky sharpness, chili powder for warmth, and a squeeze of lime to cut through it all, with cilantro for freshness. Charring the corn first is essential, since that toasty, slightly smoky edge is what the creamy dressing plays against. Served as a side at cookouts, taco nights, or alongside grilled meats, it comes together in under twenty minutes for four. Off the cob like this it becomes esquites in spirit, easy to eat with a spoon and just as satisfying, and a pinch of Tajín or a little extra lime never hurts.
Elote: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Elote?
A serving has about 214 calories — 8.4g protein, 24.5g carbs, 9.4g fat, 4.1g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Elote gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Elote has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
Is Elote dairy-free?
Not as written — it uses Mexican crema, Cotija. Swapping those for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Elote?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out cilantro — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Elote make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.