Elote, the beloved Mexican street corn, is a celebration of bold flavors, vibrant colors, and irresistible textures. These 12 easy elote recipes bring that magic right to your kitchen, whether you’re grilling for a backyard barbecue, making a quick snack, or preparing a festive side dish for taco night.
Start with the classic Mexican street corn, where grilled corn is slathered with creamy mayonnaise, sprinkled with cotija cheese, and dusted with chili powder for a perfect balance of tangy, smoky, and spicy flavors. For a twist, elote salad (also known as esquites) offers all the same goodness in a bowl—perfect for scooping with chips or serving alongside grilled meats.
Add some fusion flair with elote pasta salad, cheesy baked elote dip, or elote-style roasted potatoes, each giving you the signature flavors in new and exciting ways. For spice lovers, chipotle elote adds a smoky kick, while spicy jalapeño elote cranks up the heat. If you’re after something creamy yet light, Greek yogurt elote offers a tangy, healthier alternative.
You can also take it off the cob with elote rice bowls or load it onto nachos for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. For sweet-and-savory fans, honey-lime elote delivers a refreshing twist, and garlic butter elote offers rich, indulgent flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re serving it on the cob, in a salad, or as a creative side, these easy elote recipes are sure to brighten your table with their vibrant presentation and unforgettable taste. Each one is simple to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Mexican Corn on the Cob
This is the iconic elote dish, the one that probably flamed your love for the flavors of the famous Mexican street food. Grilled until just tender, this corn on the cob gets the works: It’s rolled in butter, smeared with a little mayonnaise, then sprinkled with cotija cheese and lime juice.
Elotes
Ready in just 15 minutes, this elotes—Mexican corn in a cup—makes for a delicious side or impressive appetizer. Don’t skip the Tajin seasoning used here. It’s worth seeking out for it’s tangy and mildly spicy flavor. It can be found in the Hispanic section of most grocery stores.
Elote en Vaso
What makes this elote recipe stand out from the rest is the choice of seasoning blend. made from a blend of ancho chili pepper, cumin, Mexican oregano, and more. It adds a little spice and smokiness to this creamy corn salad.
Skillet Elote
When grilling isn’t an option, fire up the skillet instead to make this off-the-cob elote. “Great side dish to go alongside our grilled chicken tonight! Simple to make and really great flavors,” says Christina. “This was a nice change from the usual, and a hit with the family. I will be making this all summer long!”
