It's no secret that we love elote around these parts, so I try to keep this homemade Everything But The Elote Seasoning recipe on hand at all times! Sprinkle it on corn cobs, in dips, or use it to make Mexican street corn pasta salad!
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You've heard of everything but the bagel seasoning, now try this everything but the elote seasoning recipe! Trader Joe's may have popularized this seasoning, but I do believe I have perfected it! Bold words, I know, but I'm never buying theirs again when I can make it myself with more flavor and less fillers!
I don't cook corn often, but when I do, you know I'm topping it with cotija cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime! This homemade elote seasoning manages to capture all the flavors you'd expect in elote - it's smoky, cheesy, citrusy, and just a little spicy!
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Ingredients & Substitutions
The original Trader Joe's recipe calls for: Cane sugar, sea salt, corn flour, chile pepper, parmesan cheese, chipotle powder, natural flavor, citric acid, dried cilantro, organic rice fiber, and cumin powder.
I chose to omit the fillers, such as corn flour and rice fiber, and add more seasonings for an even better-tasting elote seasoning blend!
- Sugar: Granulated white, cane sugar, coconut sugar, or brown sugar are all fine.
- Salt: Sea salt or table salt. I wouldn't use kosher salt, as it will throw off the texture.
- Spices: Chili powder, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, cumin powder, and cayenne. This isn't a very spicy seasoning, but you can omit the cayenne if you don't want the added heat.
- Garlic & onion powder: These are optional, but I think they enhance the overall flavor.
- Dried cilantro: Dried parsley flakes can be used as a substitute.
- Nutritional yeast: Nutritional Yeast (paid link) gives the elote seasoning a cheesiness, but you can omit it. Alternatively, you can use powdered parmesan cheese instead, but I wouldn't recommend doing this if you're making it in bulk, as it will decrease the seasoning's shelf life.
- Tajin: You can also use citric acid or even a bit of dried lime zest.
How To Make Elote Seasoning
Step 1: Add nutritional yeast, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, dried cilantro, chili powder, Tajin, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne, and sea salt to a small bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
Step 2: Store in a mason jar or airtight container in a cool, dark place to ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy this elote seasoning mix,
- Use it to season grilled or smoked corn on the cob or these air fryer corn ribs, along with Mexican crema (or mayo), cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice!
- Use it to make this delicious elote corn dip, or elote in a cup!
- Make elote butter! All you need to do is mix with melted butter, then slather it all over corn on the cob, drizzle it over popcorn, or even dunk crab legs in it!
- Add it to creamed corn!
- Blend it into sour cream to make a delicious and versatile sauce, perfect for blackened fish tacos.
- Sprinkle it over fresh or roasted rainbow carrots or other roasted vegetables.
Recipe FAQs
While Tajin contains some of the same ingredients as elote seasonings, such as chili powder and lime, they are not the same thing. Elote seasoning typically also contains cumin, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and cilantro.
Tajin is comprised of chili pepper, dehydrated lime, and sea salt.
Pro Tips
- This recipe yields enough to fill a 4-oz jar.
- You can make this everything but the elote seasoning recipe in bulk if you plan to use it often!
- When properly stored at room temperature, this seasoning will keep for up to a year.
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Recipe
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add nutritional yeast, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, dried cilantro, chili powder, Tajin, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne, and sea salt to a small bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Store in a mason jar or airtight container in a cool, dark place to ensure it stays fresh for as long as possible.
Nutrition
Notes
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- This recipe yields enough to fill a 4-oz jar.
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- You can make this everything but the elote seasoning recipe in bulk if you plan to use it often!
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- When properly stored at room temperature, this seasoning will keep for up to a year.
Elizabeth Tarlow says
Thanks so much for this recipe!! Could I store it in the refrigerator?
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Elizabeth, It's not necessary, buy you can definitely do that, or freeze it for even longer storage.