Mexican street corn is an easy side dish to make at home for weeknight meals or backyard barbecues.

Its bright, colorful, satisfying, and easy to make.

Learn how to make Mexican corn (elotes).

Southern Living Mexican Corn on a platter to serve with beers

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Serve it alongsidetacosorenchiladasfor a hearty Mexican-inspired mealor all by itself.

What Is Elote?

Elote is the name of the dish that describes this bang out of Mexican corn.

Southern Living Mexican Corn ingredients

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You just need to cook in batches to get the brilliant char from the cast-iron skillet.

Reheat any leftovers in the oven or skillet until heated through.

Cover pot with lid, and bring to a boil over medium-high.

Southern Living Mexican Corn on a platter to serve with lime wedges and beer

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Uncover and cook until tender, 5 to 10 minutes.

Drain and set aside.

Prepare cheese:

Arrange Cotija in a shallow dish in an even layer, and set aside.

Southern Living Mexican Corn boiling the corn

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Char the corn:

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high; add oil.

Remove from heat, and transfer to a baking sheet.

Evenly brush all over with mayonnaise mixture.

Southern Living Mexican Corn crema mixture in a bowl

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Roll corn in cheese:

Roll each ear lightly in Cotija, tapping off any excess.

Garnish with lime wedges.

Feta cheese or queso fresco substitute for Cotija cheese.

Southern Living Mexican Corn crumbled cojita in a dish

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Southern Living Mexican Corn charring the corn in a cast iron skillet

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Southern Living Mexican Corn brushing with lime juice

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Southern Living Mexican Corn brushing with the mayonnaise mixture

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Southern Living Mexican Corn rolling in the crumbled cojita

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Southern Living Mexican Corn sprinkled with spices

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke