Easy Grilled Street Corn Recipe
Grilled elotes are a delicious and popular Mexican street food that pairs perfectly with any main dish. The amazing combination of chili powder and Cotija cheese helps transform plain grilled corn in to a spicy side packed with Mexican flavors. But the best part about this grilling recipe is that it's so simple to prepare! To make this easy grilled street corn recipe, just fire up the grill, top your ears with a flavorful garnish, and enjoy.
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What Do I Need to Make Grilled Street Corn?
Since this corn recipe is packed with flavor, you may be surprised to know that you only need seven ingredients to prepare it! To make your own Mexican street corn at home, you'll need:
- Chili powder
- Salt and pepper
- Crumbled or shredded Cotija cheese
- Butter
- Mayonnaise
- Corn
Looking for more delicious Mexican-inspired recipes? Give these reader favorites a try:
Tex Mex Chicken with Cauliflower Rice | Easy Mexican Cornbread | Mexican Corn Casserole | Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
How Do I Make Grilled Street Corn?
After gathering up all your ingredients, this grilled recipe is simple to make. Just prep your corn and heat up your grill to make this quick and easy side dish.
Step One: Prepare the Corn
Remove the silk from each ear of corn and pull the husks downward so you can use them to hold the corn. Fill a large pot with water and season it with salt. Bring the water to a boil and add the corn, soaking the ears for 15 minutes.
Step Two: Grill the Street Corn
While the corn is boiling, preheat your grill. Remove the corn from the water and butter each cob. Season with salt and place the corn on the grill over indirect heat. Grill the corn for five minutes. When dark spots begin to appear on the corn, rotate the ears. Continue cooking and rotating until all the corn is uniformly cooked, around 10 to 15 minutes.
Step Three: Garnish the Corn
When the ears of corn are finished cooking, spread mayonnaise on the top of each ear. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the corn cobs and garnish with chili powder. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
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What is the Best Corn for Grilling?
Finding the best corn for grilling is the key to enjoying delicious grilled street corn. When it comes to grilling corn, fresh is best. In addition to picking corn that's harvested at peak season, you also want to make sure to use freshly picked corn that has been harvested as close to the time you plan to grill it as possible.
When shopping for corn at the grocery store or farmer's market, look for ears that smell sweet. When pressed, the corn should be firm. And make sure that the tassels are golden in color and free of black silk.
How Long Should You Soak Corn Before Grilling?
Brining or soaking your ears of corn can help season the corn and make it juicier. Taking the time to soak your corn before putting it on the grill is especially beneficial when using corn that is off-season or not as fresh. The amount of time you allow your corn to soak is up to you. While it's ideal to allow your corn to sit in the salted water for at least 15 minutes, you can soak your corn for up to four hours before you start grilling.
How to Grill the Best Corn on the Cob
With so many different ways to cook corn, it's easy to start wondering what's the best way to grill corn on the cob. While you can grill your corn any way you please, there are two basic ways to cook your corn on the grill:
In the Husk
One quick and easy way to grill your corn is to place it directly on the grill with the husk still on. Start by trimming the silk off the top of the corn cob to avoid flare-ups, then place the corn on the grill while it's still wrapped in the husk. When grilling using this method, there is no need to soak the corn before cooking it. The husk will help keep the corn moist as it cooks, so you don't have to worry about your corn drying out while it's on the grill.
When grilling your corn in the husk, it's best to cook the ears over direct heat. The corn should be cooked until the husks are completely black. Don't worry about the corn getting burnt as it cooks. The husks will steam the corn while it's grilling.
When you're ready to serve your corn, allow it to cool slightly, then pull back the husk and silk. Roll the corn in butter, then garnish with your street corn toppings before serving.
Husks off
Another popular way to grill your corn is to remove the husks and grill the corn directly on the grill rack. This is the best method if you prefer that your corn has grill marks on it as you cook. To prepare your ears of corn using this method, start by pulling back the husks and removing as much silk as possible.
After the corn is cleaned, place it in a brine to soak for at least 30 minutes, then transfer the corn to the hot grill. Don't worry if the corn still has some silk stuck to it. The silk will burn off as it cooks. Let the corn cook over indirect heat until it starts to char, then rotate it. Continue charring and rotating the corn until all the sides of the ear are cooked.
Easy Grilled Street Corn Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the corn by removing the silk and pulling the husks downwards so you can use them to hold the corn.
- Preheat the grill.
- Fill a large pot with water and season it with salt. Bring the water to a boil and add the corn, soaking the ears for 15 minutes.
- Remove them from the pot and butter the cobs
- Sprinkle some salt on the cobs before grilling.
- Grill the corn for five minutes. When dark spots begin to appear on the corn, rotate the ears. Continue cooking and rotating until all the corn is uniformly cooked, around 10 to 15 minutes.
- When the ears of corn are finished cooking, spread mayonnaise on the top of each ear. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the corn cobs and garnish with chili powder. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
