Turn any occasion into a fiesta with this flavorful Elote Dip (Mexican Street Corn Dip) that captures the essence of traditional elote in every scoop! With an irresistible combination of sweet corn, bold spices, salty cotija cheese, and fresh lime and cilantro, this creamy dip is always a crowd pleaser. Make it in just 20 minutes!
Get ready to fall head over heels for this delicious Elote Dip (Mexican Street Corn Dip). This hot and creamy dip has the perfect blend of bold flavors, creamy textures, and a hint of zing that will have you coming back for more. It's the perfect appetizer to serve at parties or on game day and is always a crowd-pleaser.
If you're a fan of Mexican food, then you must try this dish! This Mexican street corn dip recipe is not only incredibly tasty, but also super easy to make. Whip it up in just 20 minutes in a single skillet on the stove- no need to even turn on the oven!
And the best part? You can make this elote dip in advance. That makes it the perfect dish for parties, because you can relax and have a stress-free hosting experience.
When the party kicks off, serve this elote dip straight out of the skillet with plenty of crispy tortilla chips for scooping. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
Looking for more creamy dip ideas for your next party? Try my popular healthy buffalo chicken dip, spinach and artichoke dip or cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip.
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What is Elote (Mexican Street Corn)?
Mexican street corn, also known as elote, is a beloved Mexican street food. Classic elote is made by grilling corn on the cob until it's lightly charred and slathering it in a rich, creamy mixture of mayonnaise or Mexican crema, crumbly cotija cheese, chili powder and lime juice. It's a flavor-packed treat enjoyed at festivals, fairs, and food stalls all across Mexico.
Elote is one of my favorite ways to enjoy corn. I make a lighter version of traditional Mexican street corn in my air fryer. I also make these delicious Mexican street corn fritters.
This easy elote dip is a hot corn dip that has all the flavors of Mexican street corn but in a creamy dip. I cook sweet, roasted corn and smoky spices in a skillet with creamy Neufchâtel cheese (light cream cheese), sour cream, and lime juice.
Then I top the elote dip with salty, crumbly cotija cheese and bright, fresh cilantro. It's an explosion of flavors and textures that will keep everyone coming back for more!
Why You'll Love This Dish
- Creamy: This delicious elote dip is rich and creamy from a combination of Neufchâtel cheese and sour cream
- Flavor Explosion: This dip has the most amazing flavors from bold spices, sweet corn, salty cheese, and tangy lime juice
- Quick and Easy: This simple Mexican corn dip recipe comes together in one skillet in just 20 minutes!
- Perfect for Entertaining: Serve it with tortilla chips for the ultimate appetizer that steals the show at game day gatherings, cinco de mayo celebrations, or backyard barbecues
- Make-Ahead- can be made in advance and heated up right before party time; serve it straight out of the skillet!
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Corn- you can use fresh corn kernels, canned, or frozen corn; I like to use fire-roasted corn for its rich flavor. If using fresh corn, I recommend grilling the ears of corn on a grill or grill pan to get a light char because it adds so much flavor.
- Dried spices- I use a combination of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika; you can also use tajin seasoning or add cayenne pepper for a kick of heat. You can also buy a seasoning mix like Trader Joe's everything but the elote seasoning blend.
- Onion- I use red onion but you can use yellow onion or even scallions
- Garlic- I use fresh garlic but you can substitute garlic powder
- Neufchâtel cheese- this soft, French cow's milk cheese is sold at the grocery store as low fat or "⅓ less fat" cream cheese; you'll find it next to the regular cream cheese. It has the same tangy taste and creamy texture- you won't notice the difference.
- Sour cream- you can substitute Greek yogurt
- Cotija cheese- a crumbly, Mexican cheese; you can substitute feta cheese or grated parmesan cheese
How To Make Elote Dip (Mexican Street Corn Dip) Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet like a cast iron skillet. Sauté onion until softened, then add garlic and corn and cook another few minutes.
- Step 2- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3- Add Neufchatel cheese, sour cream, and lime juice, stirring until creamy. Cook a few minutes until heated through,
- Step 4- Top with cotija cheese, cilantro, and more corn kernels. Serve in the skillet or transfer the elote dip to a serving bowl. Enjoy with crispy corn tortilla chips.
Chef's Tips
- I like using roasted corn in this elote dip because it has a richer flavor, similar to traditional elote, which is charred on a grill. You can grill fresh corn and cut the kernels off or buy frozen fire-roasted corn for a shortcut.
- You can make this dip a day ahead and store it in the fridge- the flavors meld beautifully. When reheating, you can add a splash or milk or water to thin it out a little and make it creamy.
- You can use leftover Mexican street corn dip in a variety of ways! Spoon it onto your favorite tacos or use it as a creamy filling for quesadillas or grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also use it as a pasta sauce or as a topping for grilled chicken or baked potatoes.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to get creative and tailor this versatile Mexican street corn dip recipe to suit your preferences and cravings!
- Spicy Kick: For more heat, add diced jalapeño peppers, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the mix. You can also add canned green chiles.
- Cheesy Twist: Experiment with different cheeses such as pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or even cheddar cheese to give your dip an ooey, gooey factor.
- Protein Power: Boost the protein content by stirring in shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked ground beef, or bacon.
- Vegan Vibes: Swap out dairy components with plant-based alternatives like vegan cream cheese and dairy-free sour cream for a vegan-friendly elote dip.
Recipe FAQs
Leftover Mexican street corn dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
The elote dip at Trader Joe's is a cold dip made with Greek yogurt and sweet yellow corn flavored with garlic, parmesan, and chipotle pepper powder.
This recipe is part of my Healthy Super Bowl Recipes Round Up!
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Recipe
Elote Dip (Mexican Street Corn Dip)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 ½ cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (preferably roasted corn) plus more for topping the dip
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package (8 oz) Neufchatel cheese (light cream cheese)
- â…“ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ¼ cup crumbled cotjia cheese (can substitute feta or parmesan)
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet, like a cast iron skillet, over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and corn and cook another few minutes until cooked.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
- Add the Neufchatel cheese, sour cream, and lime juice. Stir it all together until cheese is melted and mixture is creamy. Cook a few minutes until heated through.
- Remove skillet from heat. You can serve the dip directly from the skillet or transfer it to a serving bowl. Top the dip with crumbled cotija cheese, cilantro, and more corn kernels. Serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
-
- I like using roasted corn in this elote dip because it has a richer flavor, similar to traditional elote, which is charred on a grill. You can grill fresh corn and cut the kernels off or buy frozen fire-roasted corn.
-
- You can make this elote dip a day ahead and store it in the fridge- the flavors meld beautifully. When reheating, you can add a splash or milk or water to thin it out a little and make it creamy.
-
- You can use leftover Mexican street corn dip in a variety of ways! Spoon it onto your favorite tacos or use it as a creamy filling for quesadillas or grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also use it as a pasta sauce or as a topping for grilled chicken or baked potatoes.
Nutrition
This recipe is part of my Healthy Super Bowl Recipes Round Up!
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