Name: Elote
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 ears corn husked; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 tsp fresh lime juice; 1/2 tsp lime zest; 1/2 tsp chili powder or ancho chile powder; 1/3 cup Cotija cheese; 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro; sea salt; lime wedges for serving

01

Overview

Prep10 min

Cook20 min

Total30 min

Servings4

DifficultyEasy

02

Ingredients

03

Equipment

Grill or grill pan
Small bowl
Pastry brush

04

Method

01

Heat the grill

Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high.

02

Grill the corn

Grill the corn for about 15 minutes, turning every 3–5 minutes, until tender with light char marks all around.

03

Mix the lime mayo

Mix the mayonnaise with lime juice and zest.

04

Brush the corn

Brush the warm corn generously with the lime mayo.

05

Sprinkle

Sprinkle with chili powder, Cotija, cilantro, and salt.

06

Serve

Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.

✦

Tips

NoteDon't rush the grill — those little charred patches are where the smoky flavor comes from.

NoteNo Cotija? Feta is the universal understudy.

NoteCut the dressed kernels off the cob and you've got esquites — same flavors, fork-friendly.

✦

Nutrition

NoteNutrition varies by ingredient brands and serving size.

✦

Storage

Best FreshElote is best eaten immediately; refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days and reheat briefly before serving.

?

Frequently asked

No grill?+

A screaming-hot grill pan or the broiler both get you real char — turn the ears as they blister.

How spicy is it?+

Mild by default with ancho chile powder; use cayenne or chipotle if you want it louder.

Can I make the mayo mixture ahead?+

Yes — it keeps a day in the fridge; brush it on warm corn right before serving.

Elote

Overview

Ingredients

Equipment