Description
Elote en Vaso is a delicious Mexican street food treat that features sweet corn kernels layered with creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream or Mexican crema, salty cotija cheese, smoky chili powder, and fresh lime juice. This easy-to-make appetizer combines smoky, spicy, tangy, and fresh flavors in a convenient cup, perfect for snacks, parties, or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Fresh corn kernels (grilled or boiled) – 2 cups
- Mayonnaise – 1/2 cup
- Sour cream or Mexican crema – 1/3 cup
- Cotija cheese, crumbled – 1/2 cup
- Chili powder or TajÃn – 1 to 2 teaspoons, to taste
- Fresh lime juice – 1 to 2 tablespoons
- Butter – 2 tablespoons
- Salt and pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Corn: Cook the corn kernels by either grilling the corn on the cob until lightly charred for a smoky flavor or boiling them until tender. Once cooked, carefully cut the kernels off the cob and set aside.
- Mix the Creamy Base: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream or Mexican crema with a pinch of salt and pepper along with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Mix well to create a smooth, tangy coating.
- Layer the Ingredients in Cups: Take serving cups and spoon some buttered corn kernels into the bottom. Add a generous dollop of the creamy mixture on top. Repeat layering if your cup allows to pack each bite with flavor.
- Add Cheese and Spice: Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the creamy corn layers. Dust generously with chili powder or TajÃn to add the signature smoky and spicy notes.
- Finish with Lime and Serve: Top each cup with a final squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add extra chili powder or seasoning if desired, then serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh or grilled corn for optimal flavor; grilling imparts a smoky taste.
- Don’t skip the lime juice as its acidity balances the creaminess.
- Serve in chilled cups to enhance the refreshing quality of the dish.
- Adjust chili powder carefully to avoid overpowering the flavor.
- Use authentic cotija cheese to achieve traditional taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling, Boiling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Elote en Vaso, Mexican street food, corn appetizer, cotija cheese, creamy corn, spicy corn, TajÃn, grilled corn cup
