Yield: 6 Cups
Elote is dish comprised of cooked sweet corn slathered in a spicy mixture of mayonnaise, crema, and chili powder and then sprinkled with cheese. It is often referred to as “Mexican Street Corn” because it’s a popular snack sold by vendors both on the streets and at festivals in Mexico. In Reno, I find it on food trucks.
This salad takes all the ingredients of Grilled Street Corn and makes it easy to transport and serve a crowd for BBQs, potlucks and other group celebrations. It really pairs well with grilled meats.
Ingredients
6 Ears of Corn, husked and silks removed 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil 1/3 Cup of Crema (see Notes for substitution) 1/4 Cup Fresh Lime Juice (approx. 2 limes) Lime Zest, from 1-2 Limes 1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika 1 Teaspoon Chili Powder (see Notes for chili powder recommendations) 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper 1/4 Teaspoon Salt 1/2 Cup Red Onion, Minced 1/2 Bunch of Cilantro, Finely Chopped 1/2 Cup Cotija Cheese, crumbled (see Notes for substitution)
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 450 degrees or medium high heat.
- Brush corn ears with avocado oil, and place on the grill. Grill with lid closed, turning occasionally until corn is browned on each side. A bit of charring is OK, and imparts a smokey flavor. Too much will create a bitterness throughout the dish.
- Remove corn from the grill, and allow to cool for easier handling.
- While corn is cooling, prepare dressing by combining all the remaining ingredients except the cheese.
- Cut kernels from the cooled corn cobs and place in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over the corn and gently toss with a spatula to coat.
- Add Cotija cheese and toss to incorporate.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
- Garnish with additional Cilantro if desired.
Notes:
- I make my own Chili Powder, which has cumin in it, so I don’t add any cumin in this recipe. However, if you are using a purchased chili powder that does not contain cumin, you will need to add about 1/2 teaspoon of cumin (or more to your taste). I tend to use a lighter hand with this spice, as this suites my personal tastes and cooking style. However, you can be as light or as generous as you wish.
- Crema and Cotija Cheese are found in my local grocery. They are also found in Mexican groceries around our valley. However, if they are not available to you locally, you can substitute a mix of equal parts sour cream and mayonnaise for the crema. Grated Parmesan cheese can be substituted for the Cotija, or even a mild crumbled Feta.