Bushra Griffith
Mexican street corn, also known as elotes, is a popular dish in Mexico. It's made with fresh sweet corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest and juice, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, salt and cheese. The type of cheese used varies, but cotija, queso fresco, feta and parmesan are all popular options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Cotija, queso fresco, feta, Parmesan |
| Texture | Crumbly, dry, firm |
| Flavour | Salty |
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What You'll Learn
Cotija cheese is a salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that works well on street corn
Cotija cheese is drier and firmer than queso fresco, which is often used interchangeably with Cotija in recipes like elotes. Queso fresco is much milder in flavour and less salty than Cotija cheese, which is why Cotija is often preferred for Mexican street corn. It also tends to be softer and creamier.
When making Mexican street corn, the corn is typically cooked and then rolled or sprinkled with cheese. The cheese is combined with a mixture of mayo, sour cream, lime zest and juice, cayenne pepper, chilli powder and salt. This mixture is spread on warm corn, creating a delicious and vibrant dish.
If you can't find Cotija cheese, you can use queso fresco or feta cheese instead. However, Cotija cheese is the traditional choice and adds the perfect finishing touch to Mexican street corn.
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Queso fresco is a milder, less salty alternative to cotija
Queso fresco is a Mexican cheese that is often used in recipes like elotes, or Mexican street corn. It has a mild flavour and a soft, creamy texture. This makes it a good choice if you're looking for a cheese that will add richness without overwhelming the other flavours in the dish.
Cotija, on the other hand, is a salty, crumbly Mexican cheese with a strong flavour and a firm texture. It is similar to Parmesan and is often used as a finishing touch on dishes like street corn.
If you're making Mexican street corn and can't find cotija, queso fresco is a good substitute. The two cheeses are often used interchangeably in recipes like elotes, and both will add a delicious depth of flavour to the dish.
In addition to the cheese, Mexican street corn typically includes ingredients like lime juice and zest, fresh cilantro, garlic, chipotle chilli powder, and salt. The corn itself can be fresh, canned, or frozen, depending on what's available to you.
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Feta cheese can be used in a pinch
Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) is a simple dish to prepare at home. It involves a slathering of mayonnaise, crumbled Mexican cheese, chilli powder and fresh lime juice. The traditional Mexican cheese used is Cotija, which is a salty, crumbly cheese similar to Parmesan. However, if you can't find Cotija, Feta cheese can be used in a pinch. Queso Fresco is another alternative, although it is much milder in flavour and less salty than Cotija. It is also softer and creamier, while Cotija is usually drier and more firm.
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Parmesan is another substitute for cotija
Mexican street corn, or elotes, is a simple dish to prepare at home. It involves a slathering of mayonnaise, crumbled Mexican cheese, chilli powder, and fresh lime juice. The traditional Mexican cheese used in this dish is cotija, a salty, crumbly cheese with a great texture and awesome flavour. However, if you can't get your hands on cotija, Parmesan is another substitute. Parmesan is similar to cotija in that it is a salty, crumbly cheese with a great texture and flavour. It is also widely available, making it a convenient substitute.
Cotija is often used interchangeably with queso fresco in recipes like elotes. However, queso fresco is much milder in flavour and less salty than cotija. It is also softer and creamier, while cotija is usually drier and more firm. If you can't find cotija or queso fresco, feta cheese is another substitute that can work in a pinch.
When making Mexican street corn, you will also need to combine mayo, sour cream, lime zest and juice, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, and salt. Spread this mixture on warm corn and then roll or sprinkle with cheese. You can also add fresh cilantro, which ties everything together beautifully. If you want a little punch of flavour, add some freshly crushed or finely minced garlic.
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Street corn is a simple dish to prepare at home
The most popular Mexican cheese to use is cotija, which is similar to Parmesan and has a great texture and awesome flavour. However, queso fresco is often used interchangeably with cotija in recipes like elotes. Queso fresco is much milder in flavour and less salty than cotija cheese. It is also softer and creamier, while cotija is usually drier and more firm. If you can't get hold of either of these, you could try using feta cheese instead.
To prepare the corn, you can use fresh sweet corn, which is the type used in traditional Mexican street corn. However, canned or frozen corn will work just fine in a pinch. While the corn is cooking, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest and juice, cayenne pepper, chilli powder and salt. Then spread the mixture on the warm corn and roll or sprinkle with cheese.
You can also add garlic, chipotle chilli powder, and fresh cilantro to the corn for extra flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Cotija cheese is the most popular choice for Mexican street corn. It's a salty, crumbly Mexican cheese with a similar texture to Parmesan.
Queso fresco, feta cheese, and Parmesan are all good alternatives to Cotija cheese.
Queso fresco is milder in flavour and less salty than Cotija cheese. It's also softer and creamier, while Cotija is usually drier and more firm.
First, cook your corn. While the corn is cooking, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest and juice, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, and salt. Spread this mixture on the warm corn and then roll or sprinkle with your chosen cheese.
Mexican street corn is called 'elotes' in Mexico.
