Description
Creamy Mexican street corn dip, Elote, brings zesty flavors straight from street vendors to your table. Spicy, tangy, and irresistibly cheesy, this dip will make you the star of any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (720 ml) corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- ½ cup (120 ml) crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta)
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter (or olive oil)
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 small jalapeno, minced (optional, for spice)
Instructions
- Corn Charring: Melt butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, then introduce corn kernels and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring intermittently until edges develop a rich, caramelized appearance.
- Flavor Fusion: Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, creating a creamy base. Fold in the charred corn, crumbled Cotija cheese, freshly squeezed lime juice, and chopped cilantro until thoroughly combined.
- Presentation & Serving: Transfer the vibrant mixture to a serving vessel, garnishing generously with additional Cotija cheese, scattered cilantro, and optional sliced jalapeños for an extra kick. Accompany with crisp tortilla chips, artisan crackers, or an array of fresh vegetable crudités, serving either warm or thoroughly chilled.
Notes
- Achieve a perfect char by using a cast-iron skillet and avoiding overcrowding. Let corn sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes between stirs to develop deep, smoky flavor.
- Crumble Cotija cheese freshly for best taste and authentic texture. If unavailable, substitute with feta or queso fresco for similar salty profile.
- Adjust chili powder and add diced jalapeños gradually to customize heat intensity. Remove seeds for milder version or add more for extra kick.
- Prepare dip a day in advance to allow flavors to meld. Store covered in refrigerator and stir before serving to revive consistency and brightness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg