Best Cheeses To Elevate Your Corn On The Cob

Corn on the cob is a popular street food in Mexico, commonly known as Elote. The corn is grilled and smothered in butter, mayonnaise, and cheese. The type of cheese used is typically Cotija, a salty and crumbly Mexican cheese, but feta or queso fresco can also be used as substitutes. The corn is then often seasoned with chili powder, smoked paprika, or tajin seasoning, and served with a lime wedge on the side. This dish is a tasty snack on its own or as a side dish at cookouts and BBQs.

Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Elote, or Mexican Street Corn, is a popular Mexican street food. It is a delicious, creamy, cheesy, sweet, and sour corn on the cob that is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this mouth-watering treat.

Ingredients:

• Corn: You will need four shucked corn cobs for this recipe.
• Butter: Use melted butter to roll the grilled corn, adding richness and flavour.
• Mayonnaise: This forms the base of the creamy spread that coats the corn.
• Cheese: Cotija, a salty and crumbly Mexican cheese, is traditional. However, if you cannot find it, feta or queso fresco are good substitutes.
• Lime: A lime wedge is optional but adds a bright pop of flavour.
• Seasonings: For a bit of colour and heat, you can use chili powder, tajin seasoning, or cayenne pepper. Fresh cilantro is also a tasty addition.

Method:

• Grill the corn: Preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Place the shucked corn cobs on the grill and cook until they are hot and lightly charred all over, about 7 to 10 minutes.
• Prepare the spread: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream or Mexican crema, lime juice, and lime zest. You can also add chili powder, garlic, and cilantro to taste.
• Coat the corn: Once the corn is grilled, spread the mayonnaise mixture all over the cobs. This will help the cheese stick to the corn.
• Add the cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled Cotija cheese generously over the coated corn.
• Serve: Squeeze some lime juice over the corn and serve immediately. You can also add more chili powder if desired.

Tips:

• For an extra layer of flavour, spread the grilled corn with butter before coating it with the mayonnaise mixture.
• If you cannot find Mexican crema, you can use mayonnaise or sour cream as a substitute.
• Elote is best served fresh, but if you are preparing it for a gathering, you can grill the corn a day in advance and add the butter, mayonnaise, and cheese just before serving.

Grilled Corn with Butter

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn
• Butter (unsalted or salted)
• Salt and pepper
• Cheese (optional)
• Other toppings/seasonings (optional)

Method

Start by preparing your corn. Remove any husks and silks from the corn. You can choose to cut the corn in half, or keep them as whole cobs.

Next, prepare your butter. You can simply use plain butter, or you can mix in some salt and pepper to taste. You could also add crushed garlic and fresh or dried herbs such as basil, parsley, coriander, or mint to make a herb butter. Mix your chosen ingredients together in a bowl.

Now, rub the butter mixture over the corn. Make sure every bit is covered so that it doesn't stick to the grill and to ensure you get butter in every bite.

Place the corn on a preheated grill or barbecue. Cook the corn for around 30 minutes, turning halfway through. For a grill, you may want to turn the corn more frequently to ensure even cooking.

Once the corn is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat and serve. You can add some more herbs and a sprinkling of cheese, such as goat's cheese, feta, or Parmesan, on top if desired.

Variations

There are many variations and additions you can make to grilled corn with butter. Here are some ideas:

• Add a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh summer flavour.
• Try using different types of cheese, such as cotija, a dry Mexican cheese, or even crumbly queso fresco.
• For a Mexican-style corn on the cob (elote), spread the corn with a mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, or Mexican crema, and add chili powder, garlic, and cilantro. Then sprinkle with cheese and a squeeze of lime.
• For a spicy kick, add some chipotle paste or red chilli flakes to the garlic butter.
• If you want to avoid butter, you can brush the corn with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before grilling.

Grilled Corn with Mayonnaise

Ingredients

• Corn on the cob
• Mayonnaise
• Butter (optional)
• Cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lime (optional)
• Chili powder (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Cumin (optional)

Method

First, preheat your grill to a medium-high heat.

Shuck the corn, removing the husk and silk, and brush or spread mayonnaise onto each ear of corn. You can also add butter for extra flavour.

Place the corn on the grill and cook for around 8-10 minutes, rotating the corn so that it cooks evenly. The corn is ready when it is lightly charred all over and the kernels are tender.

If desired, sprinkle the corn with cheese, such as Cotija, feta, or Parmesan, and add a squeeze of lime. For an extra kick, season with salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips

For a built-in handle, you can keep the husks attached when shucking the corn. Pull down each leaf one at a time, keeping them facing downwards away from the cob, and tie them together with kitchen twine or string. This makes it easier to eat your grilled corn without getting messy!

Grilled Corn with Sour Cream

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn
• 1/4 cup of butter, melted
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of freshly chopped cilantro leaves
• 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• Red chilli powder, to taste

Method

First, grill the corn on a hot grill or cast-iron griddle pan until slightly charred. Turn it so it gets cooked evenly all over.

Next, mix the butter, sour cream, and cilantro together. While the corn is still warm, slather it with the butter mixture.

Then, squeeze lime juice over the corn and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and red chilli powder.

Finally, serve with extra lime wedges.

Variations

Some variations of this recipe include using mayonnaise, Mexican crema, or Greek yogurt in addition to or instead of the sour cream. You can also add garlic powder or fresh garlic to the spread. If you can't find cotija cheese, you can substitute feta or queso fresco.

Grilled Corn with Cheese

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn
• Butter
• Mayonnaise
• Cheese (Cotija, Feta, or Queso Fresco)
• Lime
• Tajin seasoning, Cayenne pepper, or Chili powder (optional)
• Cilantro (optional)

Method

• Grill the corn until lightly charred all over.
• Roll the corn in melted butter.
• Spread the corn with mayonnaise.
• Sprinkle the corn with cheese.
• Squeeze lime juice over the corn.
• (Optional) Dust the corn with Tajin seasoning, Cayenne pepper, or Chili powder for added colour and heat.
• (Optional) Top with fresh cilantro.

Tips

• For extra flavour, add your favourite herbs, spices, or seasonings.
• Elote is best served fresh, but if you're preparing it in advance, you can grill the corn a day ahead of time and add the remaining ingredients just before serving.

Frequently asked questions