Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip (Esquites Style)
Make a creamy, flavorful dip inspired by Mexican street corn (Elote or Esquites). This recipe uses roasted corn mixed with cheese, lime, and spices for a perfect appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Mexican crema
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- For serving: Tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, or extra Tajín seasoning
Instructions
- If using fresh or frozen corn, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kernels are lightly charred or roasted, about 8 to 10 minutes. If using canned corn, simply drain it well.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise or crema, sour cream, half of the crumbled Cotija cheese (1/2 cup), lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Fold the roasted corn into the cream mixture. Stir in the chopped cilantro, if using.
- Taste the dip and adjust seasoning, adding more lime juice or salt as needed.
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Cotija cheese over the top.
- Serve immediately while warm, or chill for at least 30 minutes for a cold dip. Serve with tortilla chips or vegetables.
Notes
- For a spicier dip, add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or use a spicy chili powder blend.
- If you prefer a baked version, mix all ingredients, transfer to an oven-safe dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Cotija cheese is salty; taste the dip before adding extra salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 30