Elote {Hot Mexican Corn Dip}

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Elote a.k.a. Hot Mexican Corn Dip is made with roasted corn in a creamy sauce of spicy mayonnaise (or sour cream), lime, and cotija cheese. Whether you eat it with a spoon or dip into it with tortilla chips, this is a snack that everyone loves.

Elote Dip is everything we love about Mexican Street Corn in a fabulous scoopable Mexican Street Corn Dip. Make it as mild or spicy as you like!

Elote {Hot Mexican Corn Dip} recipe from Elote Cafe by Barefeet In The Kitchen

Elote Sedona

This dish is the creation of Chef Jeff Smedstad, the chef-owner at Elote Cafe in Sedona, AZ. On a weekend getaway in Sedona many years ago, my first taste of this corn dip had me purchasing a copy of Chef Jeff’s cookbook.

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My friend Augusta and I wound up going back to Elote Cafe the very next night because we couldn’t stop talking about this dish.

We spent our weekend in Sedona hiking, wandering, and eating (of course!), and this simple dish was the food highlight of our trip. The recipe here is slightly adapted from and with thanks to The Elote Cafe Cookbook. It’s so so good!

Also delicious and lightly adapted from the Elote Cookbook are these Chipotle Mushrooms and this Spicy Cabbage.

 Sedona Getaway with Barefeet In The Kitchen

Elote Dip

Almost as soon as I walked through the front door after our weekend in Sedona, I made the Elote recipe using frozen corn. It was really tasty, but it wasn’t quite the same.

I impatiently waited six months for fresh sweet corn season. (Remember the Sweet Corn Festival in Taylor, AZ? That was a fun day and I’d love to go back!)

Fresh corn Elote Dip is worth waiting for though. This Hot Mexican Corn Dip is just like the Elote Cafe’s Elote appetizer. I fell in love with this dish all over again at the very first bite.

Elote Street Corn Dip

As soon as fresh corn was available, I made this three times and ate it for lunch almost every day. I may have even texted three friends and my sister just to rave about this corn dip after we tasted it.

I LOVE that we can make the beloved Elote Dip from The Elote Cafe at home and have it taste every bit as amazing as it does in the restaurant.

I’ve adapted the recipe slightly, to fit our tastes, but it remains at its heart the original recipe. Don’t miss these Chipotle Mushrooms and the Spicy Cabbage also from The Elote Cafe Cookbook!

Elote Dip is the perfect way to highlight the awesomeness of fresh corn

What is Elote?

Have you ever tried Elote? Elote is Mexican street corn that is traditionally sold on the cob.

In Mexico, this corn is roasted over an open grill then slathered with mayo, sour cream and sometimes butter and cheese, sprinkled with plenty of spices, and drizzled with fresh lime juice. It’s sold from stands and street carts on the cob or sometimes off the cob in small cups.

Biting into an ear of corn with lightly charred sweet corn kernels covered in chile powder and tangy lime is an experience everyone needs to have. Elote is a treat that I can not resist any time it’s on a menu.

I love elote so much, I just don’t think you can have enough street corn-inspired recipes. Street Corn Chicken Salad to Street Corn with Zucchini and Kielbasa, Street Corn Coleslaw, Street Corn Potato Salad, and pasta salad are all proof of that.

Elote Dip

Mexican Corn Dip

It’s not too difficult to make your own Elote corn at home if you want to give it a try on the cob. It starts by roasting ears of fresh sweet corn over a very hot grill until well done and lightly charred. The corn is then smothered with a combination of mayo, lime, spice and Mexican cheese.

I’d probably eat Elote every day if I could but it’s not always practical (or possible) to fire up a grill anytime a craving strikes. I was thrilled to discover another way of enjoying the incredible flavors and textures of Elote in this easy Mexican corn dip. 

Instead of cooking the corn on the grill, you roast it in an oven right in its husk before removing the kernels from the cob and mixing them with a combination of chicken stock, may, hot sauce, lime juice, and sugar.

After warming the dip on the stove, chili powder is added for a little additional kick. I serve the dip topped with cheese and cilantro for scooping with tortilla chips.

Elote {Hot Mexican Corn Dip} recipe from Elote Cafe in Sedona, AZ by Barefeet In The Kitchen

Elote Recipes

After you give this Elote Mexican Corn Dip recipe a try, you might be inspired to find other ways of enjoying Elote flavors in other dishes.

My friend Rebecca makes this Grilled Mexican Sweet Corn Salad inspired by Elote that can give any other salad a run for its money. These Poblano Black Bean Veggie Burgers are delicious topped with Elote salsa. I’ll happily take this smoky, sweet, and spicy Mexican corn flavor however I can get it.

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Elote {Hot Mexican Corn Dip}

4.80 from 10 votes
Elote a.k.a. Hot Mexican Corn Dip is made with roasted corn in a creamy spicy sauce, everything we love about Mexican Street Corn in a fabulous scoopable Mexican Street Corn Dip. Make it as mild or spicy as you like!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • 6 ears of corn
  • 1 cup mayonnaise or ½ cup mayonnaise plus ½ cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Cholula hot sauce
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about the juice of 1 large lime
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red chili powder adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro for topping
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated or crumbled Cotija cheese
  • Tortilla chips for scooping

Instructions

  • GRILLING DIRECTIONS: Roast the corn, still in the husks, over medium high heat, until the husks are well-charred, about 5 minutes.
  • OVEN DIRECTIONS: Roast the corn, still in the husks, in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes.
  • Set the roasted corn aside until it is cool enough to handle. Remove the corn kernels from the cobs. Combine the mayonnaise, chicken stock, hot sauce, lime juice, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan or skillet.
  • Add the corn to the saucepan and set the heat to medium. Warm everything through, stirring occasionally. Add the chili powder and adjust to taste.
  • Transfer the corn into a serving bowl and sprinkle with cheese and cilantro. Serve with plenty of tortilla chips for scooping. Enjoy!

Notes

The corn can be roasted on the grill or in the oven. The key here is to keep it in the husk. You aren’t looking for crisp blackened pieces of corn, but juicy, steamed bites loaded with flavor. The heat in this recipe is very mild. If you enjoy more spicy heat in your food, increase the hot sauce and chili powder however much you like. I’ve as much as doubled it in the past and it still remains a fairly mild dish with a hint of heat. 

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal · Carbohydrates: 14g · Protein: 3g · Fat: 22g · Saturated Fat: 4g · Cholesterol: 16mg · Sodium: 607mg · Potassium: 201mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 5g · Vitamin A: 190IU · Vitamin C: 7.8mg · Calcium: 27mg · Iron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!

{originally published 9/15/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 4/25/22}

Elote Hot Corn Dip

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Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

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  1. Nancy Artesi says

    I had dinner at Elote four years ago and NEVER forgot the elote appetizer. I am so excited to have this recipe and so glad corn is still in season. Thank you, thank you thank you!

  2. Anonymous says

    My girlfriends and I ate at Elote last night and it was a 2 hr wait but very well worth it. The elote corn was fantastic.

  3. tswartze says

    I just went to Elote last week on a recommendation. They don't open until 5:00. We got there at 4:15 and there was already a line. I got online trying to find the recipe for the elote dish. Soo yummy! Thanks for posting.

  4. Kirstin says

    Have you ever made this with frozen corn? It’s the middle of winter and I need an appetizer for a party. I’m hoping the corn at Costco might be a good option, if so, do you recommend any recipe tweaks for frozen corn?

    • Mary says

      Yes, it does work with frozen corn. To be perfectly honest, it is not the same, but it is still quite tasty and I make it with frozen corn anytime the craving hits and I don’t have fresh corn on hand.

  5. Mimi says

    Interesting! This is a very different corn dip than mine – i include cream cheese and white cheddar. But I love the spices and seasoning. Can’t wait to try it! Years ago I drove through Sedona when I was first moving from California to Texas for my first job. I swore that one day I’d get back there, and 40 years later my husband and I went. Not the little teeny town on the river that I’d remembered. In fact, we fortunately stayed at a resort way out of town. I had no idea it had become so touristy, but of course it had! If we ever go back, I want to go to this restaurant!

  6. Jan says

    Thanks for the recipe. Loved the Elote Cafe in Sedona!!! It can be difficult for me to eat out due to some food allergies but the chef at the Elote Cafe fixed me a wonderful meal I could eat with no advance notice on a very busy night. The Mexican corn dish was one of the very best foods I have ever eaten at a restaurant. Highly recommend this restaurant!!5 stars

  7. Mindy says

    I just ate at Elote in Sedona, AZ Wednesday. My first time and this dish was the bomb. I cant wait to try the home version. Thanks for the recipe!5 stars

  8. Donna says

    So glad I found your recipe. My sister and I had the dip at the Elote Cafe and fell in love with it too. Just made it for my family as an appetizer for Thanksgiving. Everyone loved it!5 stars

  9. Kit White says

    This looks like a delicious recipe. In reading the directions, I do not see a reference to the adding of the sour cream that is listed in the Ingredients. I presume I would add it at the same time as the mayo?5 stars

  10. Nancy says

    Love, love, love this recipe! Just a heads-up……. Trader Joe’s sells bags of frozen roasted sweet corn that are perfect for this Elote!5 stars

  11. Debra says

    I have no idea what this cheese is similar to or where I can find it. I’m in Florida. Any recommendations??

    • Mary Younkin says

      Hi Debra! Cotija is a fresh Mexican cheese that can be found in most grocery stores. If it is unavailable Feta is the most common substitute.