This recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Mexican street corn (elote) right to your backyard with the convenience of Dandy® sweet corn trays.

Grilling the corn adds a smoky char that perfectly complements the creamy, tangy, and spicy toppings.

This post is sponsored by Duda Farm Fresh Foods

This Elote Corn recipe is delicious, it’s easy to make, and perfect for entertaining guests! Pair this with one of our Margarita Recipes, Mexican Pasta Salad, Chipotle Rice, or any of your family’s other favorite Mexican Recipes for a fun-packed meal!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a good substitute for Cojita Cheese?

Cotija cheese has a distinct salty, crumbly texture. Good substitutes include:

• Feta cheese: It’s salty and crumbly, but has a different flavor profile.
• Parmesan cheese: Offers a salty, umami flavor, but won’t be as crumbly.
• Queso fresco: Less salty than Cotija, but has a similar fresh, crumbly texture.

Can I make my own Elote seasoning?

Absolutely! A common homemade blend includes:

• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Pinch of salt (adjust to taste, especially if using salted Cotija)

How can I make this spicier?

To add more heat, you can:

• Add a dash of your favorite hot sauce (like Valentina or Cholula) to the mayo mixture or drizzle it over the finished corn.
• Finely chop some jalapeño or serrano peppers and sprinkle them over the top with the cilantro.

Can I prepare the corn ahead of time?

Yes! Simply cook the corn ahead of time and keep it warm, or cook it, cool it, and reheat just before serving. For the best experience, assemble the elote right before serving so the mayo and cheese adhere well to the warm corn. The flavors are best fresh!

Is there a way to make this dairy-free or vegan?

Yes! For mayo: Use a good quality vegan mayonnaise. For cheese: Look for a vegan Cotija or “Mexican cheese” alternative. Alternatively, you can omit the cheese or use a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

My corn isn’t charring well on the grill. What can I do?

Ensure your grill is hot enough (medium-high heat). Don’t overcrowd the grill, as this can lower the temperature. Lightly brushing the corn with a neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) before grilling to help with browning and prevent sticking.

Alternative Corn Cooking Methods:

While grilling is fantastic for Elote, here are other ways to prepare your Dandy® sweet corn  if you don’t want to pull out the grill:

• Boiling:
  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
  • Add the shucked corn and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until tender.
  • Drain well before proceeding with the elote assembly.
• Steaming:
  • Place a steamer basket in a large pot with about an inch of water. Bring to a boil.
  • Add the shucked corn to the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 7-10 minutes, or until tender.
  • Carefully remove before proceeding with the elote assembly.
• Oven Roasting:
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Place shucked corn directly on a baking sheet.
  • Roast for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway, until tender and slightly caramelized.
• Air Fryer:
  • Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  • Place shucked corn in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to do this in batches).
  • Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and slightly browned.

Related: How to Cook Corn on the Cob

Ingredients for Elote Corn

• 4 ct Dandy® Sweet Corn Trays (corn on the cob)
• 1 cup Mayonnaise (or Mexican Crema for a tangier flavor)
• Juice of 1 Lime (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons Elote Seasoning
• 1 cup Cotija Cheese, crumbled
• Fresh Cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Optional: A dash of hot sauce or an extra sprinkle of chili powder for more heat

How to Make Elote Corn

Prepare Your Corn (Grilled Method – Recommended for this Recipe):

• Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F / 200-230°C).
• Prepare Corn: Carefully remove the Dandy sweet corn from its trays.
• Grill: Place the corn directly on the preheated grill grates. Grill for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender-crisp and have nice char marks on all sides.
• Remove: Once cooked, remove the corn from the grill and set aside.

Assemble the Elote:

Coat Corn: While the grilled corn is still warm (this helps the mayo adhere better), squeeze on the lime juice on all sides of the corn. Next, generously brush or spoon the mayonnaise over each ear of corn, ensuring all sides are coated.

Season: Evenly sprinkle the elote seasoning over the coated corn. You can use your hands to gently press the seasoning into the mayo.

Add Cheese: Roll each ear of corn in the crumbled Cotija cheese, pressing gently to ensure the cheese sticks. You can also sprinkle the cheese over the corn.

Garnish: Arrange the elote corn on a serving platter and garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro.

Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Elote Corn!

Why We Love Dandy® Sweet Corn

Duda Farm Fresh Foods has been offering the freshest and safest produce for nearly a century, ever since Andrew Duda brought his first crop to market. Six generations later, his family is just as passionate about growing fresh fruits and vegetables through the Dandy® brand!

Dandy® Sweet Corn is the best corn around – and not just because of its delicious taste! The experts at Duda Farm Fresh Foods use traditional breeding practices to grow high-quality produce that is completely GMO-free. Because their growers harvest corn in the best possible conditions, you can buy Dandy® Sweet Corn and be confident that the freshest ears will end up in your home.

More Sweet Corn Recipes

• Hot Honey Corn on the Cob
• Mexican Street Corn Baked Potatoes
• Skillet Hot Corn Dip
• Grilled Corn Salad