Description
Mexican Street Corn Cups are a delightful snack featuring charred corn kernels tossed in a creamy, tangy mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and cotija cheese, seasoned with chili powder and fresh cilantro. Served warm in individual cups, this easy-to-make recipe captures the vibrant flavors of classic Mexican street corn in a convenient and shareable form.
Ingredients
Corn Mixture
- 3 cups frozen corn kernels
- 1 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons cream
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
Garnish
- 1 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Extra chili powder for sprinkling
- Extra cotija cheese for sprinkling
- Extra chopped cilantro for sprinkling
Instructions
- Heat Butter: Melt the butter in a cast iron pan over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing the corn.
- Char the Corn: Spread the frozen corn kernels in a single layer in the hot pan. Pan-fry for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the kernels have browned and some develop a slight charred look. Be careful not to burn them.
- Transfer Corn: Remove the charred corn from the pan and transfer it into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Ingredients: To the bowl with corn, add mayonnaise, sour cream, cream, lime juice, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Add Cheese and Cilantro: Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro into the mixture for flavor and texture.
- Serve in Cups: Divide this creamy elote mixture into individual plastic or serving cups for easy sharing and presentation.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra cotija cheese, chili powder, and chopped cilantro on top of each cup. Serve the Mexican Street Corn Cups warm immediately to enjoy the best flavor.
Notes
- Use frozen corn for convenience, but fresh corn can be used and charred similarly for best flavor.
- Adjust chili powder to your spice tolerance; feel free to add more for extra heat.
- Serves well as a side dish or party appetizer.
- Can be prepared ahead of time but serve warm for best taste and texture.
- Substitute cotija cheese with feta if unavailable.
