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Flavorful Grilled Street Corn Recipe with Easy Chipotle Crema and Cotija

grilled street corn - featured image

This grilled street corn features smoky charred kernels slathered with a creamy, smoky chipotle crema and topped with salty Cotija cheese, delivering a perfect balance of flavors that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked and cleaned
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120 ml)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema (120 ml)
  • 12 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil or melted butter for brushing

Instructions

  1. Husk and clean the corn: Remove all husks and silk from 4 ears of fresh corn. Rinse under cold water and pat dry (about 5 minutes).
  2. Prepare the chipotle crema: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, minced 1-2 chipotle peppers, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, juice of 1 lime, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until smooth and creamy. Adjust heat or lime to taste (about 5 minutes).
  3. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using charcoal, wait until coals are covered with gray ash.
  4. Brush each ear of corn lightly with olive oil or melted butter using a silicone brush.
  5. Grill the corn: Place corn on the grill, turning every 2-3 minutes to char all sides evenly. Grill for 10-12 minutes until kernels are golden brown with some blackening.
  6. Dress the corn: Immediately slather each ear generously with the chipotle crema while warm.
  7. Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese over the corn, then scatter chopped cilantro on top if desired.
  8. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and add an extra squeeze of lime if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

If the chipotle crema is too thick, add a teaspoon of water or lime juice to loosen it. Rotate corn frequently while grilling for even char. For dairy-free version, use vegan mayo and coconut yogurt, and omit or substitute cheese with plant-based alternatives. If no grill is available, roast corn in oven at 450°F for 20 minutes, turning halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled corn, street corn, chipotle crema, Cotija cheese, summer recipe, easy side dish, smoky corn, Mexican street food