Esquites
Warm corn salad with lime, chili, and crumbled cheese.
Ingredients
- 400 g Corn kernels
- 60 g Cotija
- 1 Lime
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 2 tbsp Neutral oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- 60 ml Mexican crema (optional)
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (optional)
Method
- Char the corn in oil over high heat until browned in spots.
- While the corn chars, juice the lime, crumble the cotija, and chop the cilantro into a serving bowl.
- Add the hot charred corn to the bowl, then toss with the crema, lime juice, cotija, cilantro, and a dusting of chili powder.
- Spoon into cups and serve warm.
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About Esquites
Esquites is the cup-and-spoon cousin of elote, Mexico's iconic grilled street corn, and one of the most recognizable antojitos sold from carts and market stalls across the country. Instead of eating charred corn off the cob, the kernels are cut free, seared until they blister, and dressed while still hot, so every bite carries the same smoky-tangy-creamy punch in a form you can scoop. This version keeps things loose and quick, coming together in about fifteen minutes with a short list of the classic toppings.
The appeal is in the balance of the dressing: cooling crema, salty crumbled cotija, a bright hit of lime, and the low warmth of chili powder over corn that tastes deeply of the char. Getting real color on the kernels over high heat is the whole game, because those browned, almost blackened spots are where the toasted, popcorn-like flavor lives. Traditionally spooned into small cups and eaten warm as a snack or street-food side, it also makes an easy companion to tacos, grilled meats, or anything off the barbecue.
Esquites: frequently asked questions
What's the difference between esquites and elotes?
Both are Mexican street-corn dishes made with the same core toppings—mayonnaise or crema, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime—but they differ in form. Elotes is corn served whole on the cob (usually grilled or boiled) and eaten by hand, while esquites is the off-the-cob version, with the kernels cut off and served loose in a cup or bowl to eat with a spoon. The word "elote" comes from the Nahuatl elotl (tender corn cob), and "esquite" from ízquitl (toasted corn).
How many calories are in Esquites?
A serving has about 235 calories — 7.2g protein, 17.5g carbs, 15.5g fat, 3.1g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Esquites gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Esquites 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 Esquites 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 Esquites?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out mexican crema, cilantro — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Esquites make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.