Elote in a Cup | Mexican Street Corn

Name: Elote In A Cup | Mexican Street Corn
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 ears of corn ((husked)); 2 tbsp unsalted butter ((melted)); ¼ cup mayonnaise; ⅓ cup Cotija cheese ((or Queso Fresco)); ½ tsp sea salt; ½ tsp Tajin seasoning; ½ tsp chili powder; 2 tbsp chopped cilantro; 1 medium lime ((quartered)); 2 cloves garlic ((optional))

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Juicy grilled Mexican corn in a cup that's creamy, tangy, and sweet, with just the right amount of spice. This recipe is also known as Esquites, corn in a cup, and Elote in a cup. Corn in a cup is the perfect side dish to Carne Asada and Adobada Tacos, or over a Mexican Rice Bowl.

Mexican elote or corn in a cup with limes, cheese, and cilantro

Recently, my friend Lori's daughter, Bailee, posted an Elote recipe that she prepared for Lori's 50th birthday party.

I didn't have to taste Bailee's Elotes to know that they were delicious! Her post reminded me of my abandoned plans to post an Elote In A Cup recipe and motivated me to finish the post that I had started.

Why This Recipe Works

If you've ever been to Mexico, you've most likely seen vendors on the streets selling grilled corn on the cob. This Mexican Street Corn is called "Elote." It's the ultimate street food!

In this recipe, I'll show you how to make this Mexican favorite even more portable, and honestly, a lot easier to eat. Serve it in styrofoam cups with a plastic spoon for an on-the-go, healthy snack. You're welcome! 😉

The fresh flavor will delight your taste buds and put a smile on your children's faces! It's one of those recipes that everyone will love.

What Goes Into This Recipe

corn, butter, spices, cheese, and limes on a marble surface

Ingredient Notes/Substitutions

Corn on the cob — Choose fresh corn that's firm, green, and don't be shy about peeling the husk and silk back to make sure that the kernels are plump.
Mexican Cheese — Although the recipe calls for Queso Fresco, Cotija cheese may be substituted. If neither is available, Feta cheese may be substituted, because it has a similar creamy texture and salty flavor.
Tajin — Tajin is a tasty Mexican seasoning blend containing chili peppers, lime, and salt. In a pinch, chili powder may be substituted.

How to Make Mexican Corn in a Cup

STEP 1: Brush shucked corn with melted butter and grill over high heat until slightly charred, rotating as needed.

two corn on the cobs being brushed with melted butter

TIP: If you don't want to mess with the grill, place corn in a grill basket and cook over a gas stove.

STEP 2: Cut corn off the cobs and divide between four cups or bowls.

cutting corn off the cob over a cutting board

slicing corn off the cob over a cutting board

TIP: A corn peeler makes cutting the corn off the cob even easier!

STEP 3: Stir mayonnaise into the corn along with any remaining butter. Top the corn mixture with crumbled cheese.

STEP 4: Mix salt, Tajin, and chili powder and use to season the corn.

corn kernels in a plastic cup with a slice of lime and cilantro over a cutting board

STEP 5: Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges, and serve hot sauce on the side.

corn on the cob in a plastic cup with corn on the cob, cilantro, and cheese scattered around it

Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips

What's the difference between Esquites and Elote?

Elote is grilled corn that is served Mexican-style, on a stick, and loaded with delicious toppings.

Esquites, on the other hand, are grilled corn served in a portable cup. The usual Elote toppings are mixed in with the corn. Think of "Equites" as "Elote in a to-go-cup."

How Do you make Mexican street corn in a cup?

First, grill the corn cobs, allot one per person. Next, cut the corn kernels from the cob and place them in a cup or small bowl. Finally, mix in any of the following:

mayo or sour cream
lime juice
Cotija cheese
Mexican crema
serranos (chopped)
cilantro (chopped)
scallions (chopped)
salt
chili powder, Tajin, or cayenne pepper

How do you make Elote with canned corn?

Drain canned corn and either cook over the stove or microwave until hot.

Divide corn between two cups (approximately ¾ cup of corn per serving).

Next, mix in any of the following ingredients: mayo, lime juice, crumbled cheese, and chopped cilantro. Sprinkle with either Tajin, chili powder, cayenne, or paprika.

How do you Make Elote Salad?

You can also serve this dish cold in the form of an Elote Salad. Besides grilled corn, you can use canned or frozen corn.

Just follow the same recipe steps mentioned in this post but serve it cold. Be sure to leave out the butter since nobody wants to bite into a hard clump of butter.

What to serve with this recipe?

This tasty corn makes an excellent side dish to any Mexican meal! Serve it with Carnitas and Mexican Rice, or with Chile Verde Enchiladas, tamales, or even a California Burrito. You can also serve the corn in a cup as a dip with tortilla chips!

Cutting the pointy end off the corn makes it easier to stand the corn on a cutting board while you cut the corn off the cob.
If you don't have a grill, you can broil the corn in a toaster oven or char it in a grill basket over a gas stove.
Sometimes Queso Fresco is hard to find. You can substitute Cotija cheese, Feta, or Parmesan Cheese.
Substitute Tajin Seasoning with a mixture of chili powder, cayenne pepper, or paprika.
For those who love garlic, crushed garlic is fantastic when included in this Elote in a Cup recipe.
If you can't get enough spice, consider adding chopped serranos or your favorite hot sauce!

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