This easy Mexican street corn dip makes the classic flavors of elote into an irresistible appetizer ready in just 10 minutes, with sweet corn, tangy lime, and salty cheese! It’s my favorite for parties or as a quick taco night side dish.
When I need a fast and easy dip that will impress everyone, this Mexican street corn dip is the answer! I’m a huge fan of elote—aka Mexican street corn: it’s one of my all-time favorite flavor combinations (I really could eat it every day). This dip recipe makes those classic flavors into an appetizer perfect for enjoying with crunchy tortilla chips and doubles as a side dish.
I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it never fails to impress at parties or family gatherings as a side dish for tacos. The combination of sweet corn kernels, tangy lime juice, creamy mayo base, and that distinctive salty punch from Cotija cheese makes a dip that sometimes disappears faster than I can make it!
5 star reader review
“Phenomenal recipe!!! My family FLIPPED out over it! A regular for sure!” -Catharine
Ingredients in Mexican street corn dip
This Mexican corn dip draws inspiration from traditional elote and esquites, those beloved Mexican street foods. Elote is grilled corn on the cob slathered with a creamy lime-chili sauce and coated with crumbly Cotija cheese and fresh cilantro, and esquites uses the same flavors but with corn kernels served in a cup.
This dip recipe isn’t authentic Mexican cuisine, but it celebrates these traditional flavors in a quick, shareable format! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt (or sour cream) for the creamy base
- Fresh lime juice for that essential tangy flavor
- Chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt for authentic seasoning
- Corn kernels (canned, fresh, or grilled)
- Green onions, red pepper, and cilantro for color, texture, and flavor
- Canned green chiles for a mild kick
- Cotija cheese (or feta) for that signature salty finish
The corn foundation
The star ingredient here is obviously the corn! I’ve found that canned corn actually works pretty here. I prefer it over frozen corn, which can taste bland and watery. However, if you want to take this dip to the next level, using grilled corn adds an incredible smoky depth that closely mimics authentic street corn.
For fresh corn preparation, I love these methods:
- Grilled corn: Provides that authentic charred flavor that’s closest to traditional elote
- Oven roasted corn: Gives deep, concentrated sweetness when you roast it in the oven
- Boiled corn on the cob: The quickest fresh option that still tastes great
Ingredient spotlight: Cotija cheese
Authentic Mexican corn dishes use Cotija cheese, a traditional Mexican cow’s milk cheese with a dry texture and distinctively salty flavor. It’s available fresh or aged, but fresh is typically easier to find in most grocery stores.
If you can’t find Cotija, feta cheese makes an excellent substitute for Cotija cheese with its similar crumbly texture and salty profile. While queso fresco is another Mexican cheese option, its very mild flavor doesn’t provide the same salty punch that makes this dip so tasty.
Seven ways to serve Mexican street corn dip
This Mexican corn dip is very versatile—you can even serve it as a side salad instead of a dip! Try it in the following ways:
- Classic party dip with sturdy tortilla chips for scooping
- Summer barbecue side dish alongside grilled chicken or grilled salmon
- Taco or enchilada night side with egg tacos or vegetarian enchiladas
- Corn salad served on its own as a fresh side dish
- Protein topper spooned over grilled fish or grilled shrimp
- Meal prep option packed into containers for make-ahead lunches
- Potluck favorite, a Mexican style appetizer always the first dish to disappear
Storage and make-ahead tips
This Mexican corn dip stores well: keep it for up to 3 days refrigerated. For make-ahead entertaining, I often prepare this dip the morning of a party. It’s one less thing to worry about, and it gives the flavors time to meld perfectly.
Pro Tip: While the dip may last longer than 3 days, the texture can become slightly watery with extended storage. For the best experience, I recommend bringing it to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving leftovers.
Dietary notes
This Mexican corn dip recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! This dip can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors actually develop and improve after a few hours of chilling. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.
This dip has a mild kick from the chili powder and green chiles, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. If you prefer more heat, add a diced jalapeño or hot sauce to taste.
Absolutely! Substitute the mayonnaise and sour cream with vegan mayo and replace the Cotija/feta cheese with a crumbly vegan cheese alternative for a similar flavor profile.
Mexican Street Corn Dip
This easy Mexican street corn dip makes the classic flavors of elote into an irresistible appetizer ready in just 10 minutes, with sweet corn, tangy lime, and salty cheese! It’s my favorite for parties or as a quick taco night side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dip
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon each garlic powder and cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 3 15-ounce cans corn kernels, drained (or 4 ½ cups cooked corn or grilled corn*)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 red pepper, finely diced
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- 7 ounce can diced green chiles
- 1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese or feta cheese
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and kosher salt.
- Mix together the drained corn, chopped vegetables, green chiles, cheese, and dressing. If desired, top with a sprinkle more cheese crumbles. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
*This should require about 5 cobs corn, depending on their size.
More crowd-pleasing dip recipes
If you love easy, flavorful dips like this one, here are some of my other favorite dip recipes that never fail to impress:
Texas Caviar (Cowboy Caviar) – A protein-packed black-eyed pea dip
Loaded Hummus Dip – A fun colorful Mediterranean diet dip
Easy Fruit Dip or Quick Veggie Dip – Always crowd pleasers
