Description
This Mexican street corn bowl recipe, also known as esquites, offers all the vibrant flavors of classic elote in a convenient, less messy bowl. It features tender corn, creamy sauce, and fresh toppings for a delightful culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for topping
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: hot sauce, extra lime wedges, finely diced red onion, jalapeño slices
Instructions
- If using frozen corn, thaw it completely.
- Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
- Add corn kernels to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is tender and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes.
- While the corn cooks, prepare the creamy sauce. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream or Mexican crema, cotija cheese, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
- Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
- Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the heat.
- Add the hot corn to the bowl with the creamy sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat all the corn kernels evenly.
- Divide the Mexican street corn mixture among serving bowls.
- Top with additional crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Add hot sauce, lime wedges, diced red onion, or jalapeño slices if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Mexican street corn bowl.
Notes
- For extra char, use a grill pan or broil the corn briefly after cooking in the skillet.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
- If cotija cheese is unavailable, you can substitute with crumbled feta cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 40mg