Wow your guests with this creamy fire roasted Elote dip also knows as Mexican street corn dip. It's smoky, creamy, zesty, and packed with bold flavors. Perfect for game day or any gathering. This dip is a tasty mix of grilled corn & jalapeno, lime juice, and spices in a creamy base. It's topped with cheese and cilantro for extra flavor. It’s yum!!!
This post was updated on February 7, 2025 with newer photos and fire roasted recipe.
What is Elote Dip
Elote, a classic Mexican street corn dish, combines creamy, spicy, and tangy flavors that are irresistibly delicious. Traditionally served on a stick, I remember this dish was a common sight at street markets in Mexico. But imagine scooping up those bold flavors with a chip — that's where creamy Elote dip comes into play.
Why You'll Love this Elote Dip Recipe
Here are some reasons why I love this dip and I think you will too.
- Flavors - First, it's all about the flavors!!! Bold & smoky with a slightly spicy kick.
- Crowd Pleaser - A guaranteed hit for game day, parties & gatherings.
- Make - Ahead Friendly - Make it ahead of time, serve it warm or chilled.
- Texture - Creamy, velvety, with a crumbly cheesy finish.
- Easy to make - Simple ingredients, quick prep and minimal cooking.
In short, it's ideal for snacking while cheering for your team.
Ingredients for a delicious Elote Dip
I love that you all the ingredients needed for this recipe are easy to find. Bwelow is just a gist of the ingredients, measurements are in the recipe card.
- Corn: Fresh or canned offer the best base. You can also use frozen corn. Some stores carry frozen fire roasted corn kernels. For a smoky flavor fire roast or grill the corn.
- Sour Cream or Greek yogurt : to create the creamy base for the dip
- Cotija Cheese: the authentic cheese used to make this dip, available in most grocery stores in the cheese section.
- Jalapenos : for that extra heat. For a smoky flavor, fire roast or grill the Jalapeno
- Cilantro: for the fresh herbal note
- Lime Juice : for a refreshing tang
- Garlic : minced garlic for some depth and flavor (optional)
- Butter or oil for a silkier texture
- Elote Seasoning for the signature kick. I make my own. Recipe shared below.
Elote Seasoning
Elote seasoning is the secret to making corn taste to the next-level. It gives a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor. It can be sprinkled on grilled corn with butter, or fries or avocado toast or on sweet potatoes. Basically it taste awesome with everything.
Ingredients for Elote Seasoning
- Chili Powder
- Cumin Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
Step by step instructions to make Elote Dip
Making this dip is super easy.
- Step 1: Combine all spices into a large bowl and combine thoroughly with mixture
- Step 2: Form into ball shape with your hands
- Step 3: Press into patties
- Step 4: Cook in oven for x minutes at 400 degrees
- Make the seasoning: In a mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients for the seasoning. Adjust the taste as per your liking.
- Prep Corn:
- If using fresh corn, remove the husks and silk, and rinse. Fire Roast, air fry or grill the corn for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly charged, or if you are short on time you can skip this process and use canned or frozen corn.
- For canned or frozen corn, simply saute it in a pan over medium heat for 5 minutes until slightly charred.
- Strip the kernels: For fresh corn, Place the cob vertically in a pie and using a sharp knife, scrape downward. Turn the cob and repeat until all kernels ae removed.
- Prep the Jalapeno : You can either fire roast or grill the jalapeno until charred. Or skip the process entirely if you don’t want to spend the time fire roasting or grilling. Hold the stem of the jalapeno vertically and using a knife, gently just scrape through the skin in the downward direction. Then slice the jalapeno into half, deseed the seeds if you like and finely chop the jalapeno. For extra heat use the seeds in the dip
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the sour cream, jalapenos, elote seasoning, half of crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro and mix well.
- Combine: Add charred corn, with the mixture and stir well.
- Adjust for Taste: Stir well and season with salt and additional lime or chili according to your preference.
- Garnish with elote seasoning, chopped cilantro, cotija cheese and a lime wedge.
Substitutions
- For a healthier version, use greek yogurt.
- To make it vegan & dairy -free, try using cashew cream
- If you can't find cotija cheese, you can use queso fresco
- You can also season the dip with Tajin
Variations
- Spicy Elote Dip : add hot sauce for a fiery experience.
- Smoky Twist : I personally love the smoky flavor, you an even add chipotle powder for a deeper smoky flavor
- Cheesy Indulgence : Add a big of extra cheese for that ooey-gooey finish.
Serving Suggestion
I enjoy this dip solo, it’s always the hero on the table. However you can serve this Mexican street corn dip along with a tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, avocado cilantro sauce, some mojitos or agua fresca. You won’t be disappointed.
Storage
Store elote dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To maintain its creamy texture, stir well before serving, and add extra lime or sour cream if needed after storing.
Anvita's Top Tip
The secret to a perfect Elote dip is achieving that slight char on the corn for authentic flavor.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Creamy Fire Roasted Elote Dip Recipe
Wow your guests with this creamy fire roasted Elote dip also knows as Mexican street corn dip. It's smoky, creamy, zesty, and packed with bold flavors. Perfect for game day or any gathering. This dip is a tasty mix of grilled corn & jalapeno, lime juice, and spices in a creamy base. It's topped with cheese and cilantro for extra flavor. It’s yum!!!
Ingredients
For Elote Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- zest of 1 lime
For Elote Dip
- 4 corn cobs or 2 cups corn (frozen, canned, steamed)
- 1 cup sour cream or greek yogurt whisked ( if using mayo, substitute 1/2 cup mayo and 1/2 cup cream or yogurt
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 Jalapeno
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 lime
- 2 cloves garlic minced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
- 1 teaspoon elote seasoning
Instructions
- Make the seasoning: In a mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients for the seasoning. Adjust the taste as per your liking.
- Prep Corn: If using fresh corn, remove the husks and silk, and rinse. Fire Roast, air fry or grill the corn for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly charged, or if you are short on time you can skip this process and use canned or frozen corn. For canned or frozen corn, simply saute it in a pan over medium heat for 5 minutes until slightly charred.
- Strip the kernels: For fresh corn, Place the cob vertically in a pie and using a sharp knife, scrape downward. Turn the cob and repeat until all kernels ae removed.
- Prep the Jalapeno : You can either fire roast or grill the jalapeno until charred. Or skip the process entirely and directly dessed the jalapeno and finely chop it. If you are fire roasting the Jalapeno, hold the stem of the jalapeno vertically and using a knife, gently just scrape through the skin in the downward direction. Then slice the jalapeno into half, deseed the seeds if you like and finely chop the jalapeno. For extra heat use the seeds in the dip.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the sour cream, jalapenos, elote seasoning, half of crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro and mix well.
- Combine: Add charred corn, with the mixture and stir well.
- Adjust for Taste: Stir well and season with salt and additional lime or chili according to your preference.
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