• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Garnish with Lemon logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • How To's
  • FAQs
  • Our Story
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Story Archives
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Side Dishes » Mexican Grilled Corn

    Published: Jun 21, 2018 · Modified: Feb 1, 2021 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Mexican Grilled Corn

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Put a new twist on one of summer's favorite foods with this lip-smacking Mexican Grilled Corn!

    Mexican grilled corn with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, cayenne pepper and lime wedges piled high on a sheet pan.

    We almost always grill our corn in the summer. Heating up the house with a giant pot of boiling water holds no appeal to me when it's already hot and humid.

    Besides that, I adore the taste of grilled corn. That little bit of char is exactly what I love. This recipe is our family's version of Mexican Grilled Corn, or Elote, a street food common in Mexico.

    What is Mexican Grilled Corn?

    If you’ve ever traveled to Mexico, you might hear this grilled corn referred to as Elote. The basic recipe is grilled corn on the cob that is gently coated with mayonnaise, sprinkled with cotija cheese and a bit of cayenne pepper to taste. Right before you serve it, you squeeze fresh lime juice all over the ears. Delicious!

    Grilling Instructions

    There are many different ways to grill corn. You can soak the ears in water. You can leave the husks on or off. You can keep the corn silks or remove them. You can even wrap the individual ears in foil.

    We like to keep it pretty simple by removing all of the husks and silks from the corn. Then we generously slather some oil on all sides of the corn and season them with salt and pepper and grill them until they have some beautiful char on the kernels.

    Simple but oh so yummy!

    Mexican Grilled Corn with mayonnaise, lime wedges, cotija cheese and cayenne pepper on a sheet pan

    This Mexican Grilled Corn recipe is great for groups because you can grill a whole batch of corn and then set up an assembly line to help guests garnish their corn with mayo, cheese, cayenne pepper and lime juice.

    Just make sure you pass out plenty of extra napkins because Mexican Grilled Corn isn’t pretty to eat (as in you’ll end up with a mayo- and cheese-smeared face).

    But isn’t food so much more satisfying when it’s messy AND delicious??

    Sheet pan filled with Mexican Grilled Corn and garnished with lime wedges, cotija cheese and mayonnaise.
    Mexican grilled corn with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, cayenne pepper and lime wedges piled high on a sheet pan.

    Mexican Grilled Corn

    Garnish With Lemon
    A lip-smacking alternative to traditional corn on the cob.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 293 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 ears corn silks and husks removed
    • Grapeseed or olive oil
    • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup grated cotija cheese
    • Cayenne pepper to taste
    • 4 lime wedges

    Instructions
     

    • Rub corn with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on preheated grill and cook for 12-15 minutes or to desired degree of doneness, turning occasionally.
    • Set up an assembly station and spread corn with mayonnaise, sprinkle with cotija cheese and cayenne pepper.
    • Serve with lime wedges and squeeze lime juice over corn just before eating.

    Notes

    Cotija cheese is a hard, crumbly Mexican cheese often found in the deli section near feta cheese. Queso fresco is a great substitute. Grated Parmesan cheese can also be used in a pinch.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1earCalories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 564mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
    « Herbed Grilled Potatoes in Foil
    Elderflower Mojito Cocktail Recipe »

    About Anna

    Hi, I’m Anna, a former corporate communications nerd turned food fanatic. Turns out I like cooking for others A LOT more than explaining HR policies to them. C’mon over!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maureen says

      June 24, 2018 at 11:10 pm

      This is my kind of recipe - simple and inexpensive. I've not prepared corn with cojita cheese - will have to try this on the 4th.

      Reply
      • Anna says

        June 25, 2018 at 8:11 am

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

      June 22, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      I'm obsessed with Cotija cheese, so this is a must make for me!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        June 27, 2018 at 9:02 am

        One of our summer favorites!

        Reply
    3. Noble Pig says

      June 21, 2018 at 7:34 am

      This is a summer treat I can't get enough of!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        June 27, 2018 at 9:02 am

        Us too!

        Reply
    4. Heather - Butter & Burlap says

      July 01, 2015 at 8:07 am

      I saw this recipe and said, "YASSSS!". I'm so excited, it looks so good! And because I love any and all things Mexican, I will be making this asap. That gorgonzola butter though... droolinggg! Great job, love this easy recipe!

      Reply
    5. Amy Basso says

      May 12, 2015 at 6:09 pm

      Grilled corn.....one of my favorite sides on a hot summer day! Can't wait to try it with the cotija cheese!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Rate the Recipe, Leave a Comment or Share a Tip! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    MEET LISA AND ANNA

    We're the creative juices behind Garnish with Lemon. In the past 8 years, millions of people have sipped & snacked on our recipes. Need easy, delicious party food and drinks for your next shindig? You’ve come to the right place.

    OUR STORY

    Popular Posts

    • Layered Greek Dip
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
    • Tequila Old Fashioned
    • Easy Bacon Bites
    • Sous Vide Flank Steak
    • Mini Pancakes

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup
    • Blood Orange Margaritas
    • How to Make a Better Veggie Tray
    • Lemon Cheesecake Bars
    • Mango Mojito
    • Italian Ranch Phyllo Cups

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy/Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Garnish with Lemon Copyright © 2023