How to Make the Perfect Mexican Street Corn Bowl
Mexican · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This Mexican street corn bowl captures all the bold flavors of elote in a quick and easy 15 minute format. Charred corn, cotija cheese, chili powder, and tangy lime crema make this a fiesta in a bowl that comes together without any fuss.
Why this recipe works
This Mexican Street Corn Bowl recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 360 calories with 10g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 cups frozen corn kernels thawed
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 medium limes juiced
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Char the Corn
Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add corn in a single layer without stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until deeply charred on one side then stir and char for 2 more minutes.
Step 2: Make Lime Crema
Stir together sour cream, juice of one lime, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and combined.
Step 3: Season the Corn
Remove charred corn from heat and toss with chili powder, remaining lime juice, and a generous pinch of salt until evenly coated.
Step 4: Build the Bowls
Divide seasoned corn between four bowls, drizzle with lime crema, top generously with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro then serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- cotija cheese → feta cheese which has a similar salty crumbly texture
- sour cream → Mexican crema or plain Greek yogurt for a tangier result
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Stirring corn constantly in the pan which prevents the char from developing properly
- Using wet corn that has not been fully thawed which causes steaming instead of charring
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 360 calories, 10g protein, 48g carbs, 16g fat, 5g fiber.
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