Description
Mexican street corn, or elote queso, brings zesty grilled corn together with creamy cheese and tangy spices. Corn lovers will savor this classic street food that delivers bold southwestern flavors in each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 cups (591 ml) corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, cubed
- 1.5 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or Monterey Jack + cheddar)
- 0.25 cup (59 ml) cotija cheese, crumbled
- 0.75 cup (177 ml) whole milk
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) mayonnaise (optional, for creaminess)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- Juice of 0.5 lime
- 2 tbsps chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: hot sauce or Tajin, for serving
Instructions
- Caramelize Corn: Heat skillet with olive oil and char corn kernels until golden-brown. Quickly introduce diced jalapenos and minced garlic, allowing their spicy essence to infuse the corn with vibrant flavors.
- Create Sauce Base: Dust corn mixture with flour, creating a smooth thickening foundation. Pour milk gradually while whisking vigorously to develop a silky, lump-free sauce that coats the corn evenly.
- Build Cheese Layers: Melt cream cheese into simmering liquid, stirring until achieving a velvety consistency. Integrate shredded cheese gradually, ensuring each addition blends smoothly into the developing queso.
- Elevate Flavor Profile: Splash freshly squeezed lime juice to introduce a bright, tangy dimension that cuts through the richness of the cheese sauce. Stir to incorporate the citrus notes completely.
- Finish and Garnish: Transfer queso to serving dish and generously top with crumbled cotija cheese. Scatter freshly chopped cilantro across the surface for a burst of color and herbaceous aroma. Optional: Drizzle hot sauce or sprinkle Tajin seasoning for additional zest.
- Serve Immediately: Present alongside warm tortilla chips or soft tortillas, inviting guests to dive into this decadent elote queso experience.
Notes
- Develop Caramelization Carefully: Char corn kernels on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning while creating golden-brown edges that boost flavor complexity.
- Prevent Cheese Sauce Clumping: Whisk milk slowly and steadily into flour mixture, maintaining consistent motion to guarantee a smooth, lump-free sauce without grainy texture.
- Balance Spice and Creaminess: Adjust jalapeno quantity based on heat tolerance, ensuring the final dish remains creamy without overwhelming spiciness.
- Optimize Serving Temperature: Serve queso immediately after preparation to maintain optimal texture and prevent sauce from solidifying, keeping it luxuriously smooth and dippable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg