Amazing Mexican Street Corn Recipe - Lauren's Latest (2024)

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This Mexican Street Corn Recipe is a delicious, easy to make a side dish that is perfect to make in the warmer months of the year. It’s the perfect creamy, crunchy, and cheesy addition to just about any meal.

So thrilled to be sharing this Mexican Street Corn with you today! If you’ve never had Mexican Street Corn before, you are in for a treat! I was suuuuper hesitant to even attempt to make this because I don’t typically like mayonnaise, however, with one bite, you’ll die of cheesy, buttery, spicy, delicious bliss. It’s so so delicious and surprisingly simple to make.

Mexican Street Corn

I think we’ve all been to those street fairs or farmer’s markets where they are serving Mexican Street Corn and it looks irresistible. In the past 10 years, this appetizer/snack has grown with immense popularity, popping up just about everywhere including fancier NYC eateries! While this is a relatively basic recipe, it’s a classic that never gets old. We love it!

Ingredients needed for Mexican Street Corn

This ingredients list is a pretty small one, consisting of relatively simple and common items. The only thing you might need to seek out is the Cotija cheese which, these days, is getting easier and easier to find.

• Fresh Corn – with the summer months coming right up, the sweet corn on the cob is going to be found in abundance. Do your best to find fresh and sweet corn. It really makes a big difference.
• Mayonnaise and Butter – the combination of these two ingredients seems like an unlikely pairing because its fat on fat, but man oh man is it good. Please use real Mayonnaise…not to be confused with Miracle Whip. I prefer Hellman’s/Best Foods brand. (They are the same thing.)
• Cotija Cheese –This Mexican cheese is SO good. It’s becoming more and more prevalent in local grocery stores so you should be able to find it pretty easily. You can get it already crumbled or in a block that you would crumble yourself.
• Chili Powder and Lime –These are finishing ingredients. If you like spice, opt for spicier chili powder. And of course, the lime is optional.

I would also recommend getting some wooden skewers or corn holders for serving. It makes handling and eating much easier and a little less messy.

How to Make Mexican Street Corn

Mexican Street Corn takes only a few more minutes beyond corn on the cob to make. It’s truly amazing how much flavor this recipe has with very minimal work. Here’s how to make it:

1. Start by boiling and lightly grilling your corn. The grilling part is an optional step, but it adds a nice little smokey flavor.
2. While your corn is cooking, stir equal parts of butter and mayonnaise together until smooth. I prefer to use salted butter, but unsalted is fine!
3. So! Once your corn is done on the grill, brush generously with the butter and mayo mixture and sprinkle generously with Cotija cheese.
4. The last thing to do is sprinkle with a little chili powder and voila! You’re done. Squeeze on some lime juice and dig in! Crunch on! Bite through! Whatever works for ya.

It really is one of my favorite things to make on the grill in the warmer months along with burgers, shrimp, chicken, really anything you got.

Can I make this ahead?

While you definitely can make these ahead, I wouldn’t recommend it. This recipe tastes best fresh and warm. If you’re wanting to prep in advance, I would shuck the corn and stir the butter and mayonnaise together so it’s ready to go. You can also slice the limes and crumble the cheese so you literally just have to cook the corn and assemble. Prepping definitely can save time.

Do I have to grill the corn?

Like I mentioned above, no you don’t have to grill the corn. Simply boil for 15 minutes in salted water, cool slightly, and then finish with the butter, mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder.

What to serve with Mexican Street Corn

Yes, this is a side dish but tastes delicious with just about any main dish! Here are a few ideas.

• Mojito Lime Fish Tacos
• Baja Fish Tacos
• Chicken Tacos (chicken taco meat recipe)
• Easy Chicken Fajitas
• Taco Sloppy Joes
• Simple Chili
• Uruguayan Asado

Do I have to use Cotija Cheese?

I would recommend using it if you can find it. There isn’t any cheese *quite* like cotija. It’s almost like a mozzarella mixed with feta. With that being said, if you can’t find it for whatever reason, feta is a decent substitute for Mexican street corn. Not the same, but similar. It would do the job in a pinch.

Love Mexican Street Corn? Try these other recipes:

Mexican Street Corn is a grilled–vegetable–side dish that fits into any Mexican cuisine! Be sure to check out these other recipes that fall into those same categories.

• Grilled Corn Salsa Recipe
• Grilled Guacamole
• Grilled Vegetarian Burritos

So there you have it. The tastiest Mexican Street Corn in all the land. Save, print, bookmark, pin, and share this recipe because its a tasty one!

Have a great day, friends!