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Flavorful Street Corn Elote Dip with Cotija and Lime

Flavorful Street Corn Elote Dip - featured image

A quick and easy dip inspired by Mexican street corn, combining smoky roasted corn, creamy Cotija cheese, and bright lime for a crowd-pleasing snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears)
  • 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (can substitute Greek yogurt for lighter version)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lay the fresh corn kernels out on a baking sheet in a single layer. If using frozen corn, thaw and pat dry first.
  2. Roast the corn for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through to get an even char. Look for little blackened spots but avoid burning.
  3. While the corn roasts, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, minced garlic, chili powder, and fresh lime juice in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy. Optionally pulse briefly in a food processor for smoother texture.
  4. Once the corn is roasted and slightly cooled, fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Add crumbled Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro, reserving some Cotija for topping.
  5. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and more lime juice if needed. Fold in jalapeño if using.
  6. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Sprinkle reserved Cotija cheese on top and dust lightly with chili powder.
  7. Serve immediately with your favorite chips or veggies.

Notes

Roasting the corn is key for smoky flavor. For a smoother dip, pulse briefly in a food processor but keep some texture. The dip can be made up to step 5 and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before adding toppings. Serve at room temperature for best texture. Substitute feta for Cotija if unavailable. Use vegan cream cheese and mayo for a vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: street corn dip, elote dip, cotija cheese dip, Mexican dip, party dip, easy dip recipe, roasted corn dip