Friday, June 5, 2026
HomeCookingElote Dip - Barefeet In The Kitchen

Elote Dip – Barefeet In The Kitchen


Elote Dip (a.ok.a. Scorching Mexican Corn Dip) is every part we love about Mexican road corn in a superb scoopable dip. It’s made with roasted corn in a creamy sauce of spicy mayonnaise, lime, and cotija cheese. Whether or not you eat it with a spoon or dip into it with tortilla chips, it is a snack that everybody loves.

Elote Dip – Barefeet In The KitchenElote Dip – Barefeet In The Kitchen

As quickly as contemporary corn is on the market annually, this is likely one of the first meals to make. (Together with this road corn pasta salad!) In Mexico, corn is roasted over an open grill then slathered with mayo, bitter cream and generally butter and cheese, sprinkled with loads of spices, and drizzled with contemporary lime juice. It’s bought from stands and road carts on the cob or generally off the cob in small cups.

Biting into an ear of corn with evenly charred candy corn kernels lined in chile powder and tangy lime is an expertise everybody must have. Elote is a deal with that I can not resist any time it’s on a menu.

Elote Dip

This recipe is the creation of Chef Jeff Smedstad, the chef-owner at Elote Cafe in Sedona, AZ. On a weekend getaway in Sedona a few years in the past, my first style of this corn dip had me buying a duplicate of Chef Jeff’s cookbook.

My pal Augusta and I wound up going again to Elote Cafe the very subsequent evening as a result of we couldn’t cease speaking concerning the Elote Dip!

We spent our weekend in Sedona mountaineering, wandering, and consuming (in fact!), and this easy dish was the meals spotlight of our journey.

As soon as I received residence, I made this thrice and ate it for lunch nearly day-after-day for some time. I’ll have even texted three buddies and my sister simply to rave about this corn dip after we tasted it.

close up overhead photo of Elote Corn Dip with tortilla chips around the bowlclose up overhead photo of Elote Corn Dip with tortilla chips around the bowl

Elements and Substitutions

The Corn – Virtually as quickly as I walked by way of the entrance door after our weekend in Sedona, I made the elote recipe utilizing frozen corn. It was actually tasty, however it wasn’t fairly the identical. I like to recommend utilizing contemporary corn for the most effective consequence!

Mayo – For this recipe, you should use simply mayonnaise for the normal recipe, or a mixture of mayo and bitter cream for one thing barely lighter.

Hen Inventory – Hen inventory provides a savory taste to this dish whereas serving to steadiness out the consistency.

Scorching Sauce – Cholula is my go-to scorching sauce for making mildly spicy dips the entire household’s certain to like. However, no matter chili-based sauce you will have available will work in a pinch.

Sugar – Including a contact of sweetness with some sugar helps flesh out the flavors on this dip.

Cheese – Freshly grated or crumbled Cotija cheese provides a pointy, savory word that gained’t soften into the dip simply and get misplaced.

Lime Juice – Taking the time to make use of freshly squeezed lime juice makes a giant distinction in the long run consequence. Belief me, it’s value the additional minute of effort.

Pink Chili Powder – Pink chili powder provides a gentle, refreshing spicy kick to the dip. My boys and I can’t get sufficient of it.

Salt & Pepper – Including a pinch of kosher salt and freshly floor black pepper is a good way to convey out the flavors of practically any recipe. (And I problem you to discover a recipe right here that doesn’t embrace one or the opposite.)

Cilantro – You’ll love the sunshine, refreshing taste of cilantro right here. This isn’t non-obligatory, although when you really hate cilantro, I’ll permit that parsley is an appropriate substitute.

Tortilla Chips – Should you’re going to make a dip, you’ve received to have one thing to scoop it with! Tortilla chips are the choice right here.

roasting corn in the husk in the ovenroasting corn in the husk in the oven

Notes on Tools

  • Stainless Skillet
  • Whisk – It sounds so easy, however a sturdy whisk used properly is a sport changer. And I swear by this cheap set. I’ve been utilizing them for over ten years and I’ve gifted them many occasions over.
  • Spatula or Spoonula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Find out how to Make Elote Dip

Preheating the Oven: To begin, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Roasting the Corn: I place the corn, nonetheless within the husk, on a sheet pan. Then, I roast for about half-hour. Take away from the oven and put aside till it’s cool sufficient to deal with.

shucking the husks off the corn, after it has cooledshucking the husks off the corn, after it has cooled

Shucking the Corn: As soon as the corn has cooled, you’ll wish to take away the husks and slice the corn kernels from the cobs. (The roasted corn will just about slide out of the husks, and the silks gained’t keep on with it the way in which they do when it’s uncooked.)

sprinkling cholula hot sauce into the sauce on the stovesprinkling cholula hot sauce into the sauce on the stove

Mixing the Dip Elements: Add the mayonnaise, rooster inventory, scorching sauce, lime juice, sugar, salt, and pepper to a big saucepan or skillet on the stovetop. Then, stir to mix.

adding the lime juice to the sauce in the skilletadding the lime juice to the sauce in the skillet

Cooking: After the substances have been combined, I add the corn to the saucepan and set the warmth to medium. Stir often till every part is heat.

Adjusting the Warmth: I add the chili powder at this stage. Style and alter seasoning till the warmth is to your liking. Add extra cholula at this level, relying in your desire. Sprinkle in cilantro and stir to combine all through.

adding the corn and cilantro to the skilletadding the corn and cilantro to the skillet

Serving: When it’s time to serve, I switch the dip to a serving bowl. Then I crumble cotija cheese excessive and sprinkle with further cilantro. You’ll wish to serve this heat with loads of tortilla chips for scooping.

elote dip in blue bowl surrounded by chips on wooden tableelote dip in blue bowl surrounded by chips on wooden table

Knowledgeable Tip

I’m going to provide you my favourite tip for slicing corn off the cob. Don’t stand the cob on edge, don’t steadiness it on a bowl or a bundt pan. I did these issues for years, the strategies are okay, however that is a lot less complicated and kernels don’t fly in all places. Lay the corn cob flat on the reducing board and simply slice the kernels off with the cob resting on its aspect. The entire job goes quicker, cleaner, and the kernels keep put. (Watch the video within the recipe card to see simply how EASY it truly is!)

Balancing the Consistency – In case your dip appears too thick after including all of the substances, you possibly can add a bit extra rooster inventory to steadiness it out. If it appears too skinny, including a little bit extra mayo will work properly.

Letting Flavors Meld – When you’ve combined every part collectively within the skillet, I like to recommend ready 5-10 minutes earlier than serving. It’s an non-obligatory step, however this enables extra time for the flavors to meld, yielding a extra constant style in every chew.

Reheat Slowly – Should you’ve saved leftover dip within the fridge, you’re going to wish to reheat this very slowly. Should you overheat it within the microwave, you’ll break the sauce and it’ll separate. I like to recommend simply 30 seconds or so and ensuring you don’t let it come to something like a simmer. For a bigger quantity, I take advantage of a saucepan and low warmth on the range.

Serving Options

Along with scooping it up with tortilla chips, anytime I’m making Pork Carnitas this dip is on the menu. My boys like to pile it on their Carnitas Road Tacos too.

And for a snack evening? Nothing pairs higher with a heat skillet of elote dip and a pile of tortilla chips than a few Spicy Watermelon Margaritas.

close up vertical photo of hand holding corn dip on tortilla chipclose up vertical photo of hand holding corn dip on tortilla chip

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: Sure, this recipe might be made prematurely. It’ll maintain properly within the fridge for 3-5 days. (Assuming your loved ones doesn’t discover it too shortly and devour all of it on day one.)

Find out how to Retailer: I retailer this dip in an hermetic container within the fridge.

Find out how to Reheat: If I’m reheating a person portion, I’ll heat the dip slowly in a microwave-safe dish within the microwave. This implies utilizing 50% energy, stirring each 30 seconds or so. Take care to not overheat the dip and break the mayonnaise-based sauce. If I’m reheating a bigger batch, I’ll heat the dip in a skillet on the stovetop over low warmth.

Extra Road Corn Impressed Recipes

Incessantly Requested Questions

Can I roast the corn on the grill, somewhat than the oven?

The corn might be roasted on the grill or within the oven. The important thing right here is to maintain it within the husk. You aren’t in search of crisp blackened items of corn, however juicy, steamed bites loaded with taste. 

Will including extra spice throw off the flavour steadiness of this dip?

The warmth on this recipe could be very gentle. Should you get pleasure from extra spicy warmth in your meals, enhance the new sauce and chili powder nonetheless a lot you want. I’ve as a lot as or tripled it previously and it nonetheless stays pretty gentle with a touch of warmth.

How do I do know when the corn is absolutely roasted?

The corn ought to odor mildly candy. Should you pierce a kernel with a fork, it must be juicy and tender. There could also be gentle golden and/or browned spots, particularly close to the stem.

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the corn, nonetheless within the husk, on a sheet pan. Roast for about half-hour. Take away from the oven and put aside till it’s cool sufficient to deal with.

  • Take away the husks after which slice the corn kernels from the cobs. Mix the mayonnaise, rooster inventory, scorching sauce, lime juice, sugar, salt, and pepper in a big saucepan or skillet.

  • Add the corn to the saucepan and set the warmth to medium. Heat every part by way of, stirring often. Add the chili powder and alter to style.

  • Switch the corn right into a serving bowl and sprinkle with cheese and cilantro. Serve heat with loads of tortilla chips for scooping.

The corn might be roasted on the grill or within the oven. The important thing right here is to maintain it within the husk. You aren’t in search of crisp blackened items of corn, however juicy, steamed bites loaded with taste. 
The warmth on this recipe could be very gentle. Should you get pleasure from extra spicy warmth in your meals, enhance the new sauce and chili powder nonetheless a lot you want. I’ve as a lot as doubled it previously and it nonetheless stays a reasonably gentle dish with a touch of warmth. 

Energy: 267 kcal | Carbohydrates: 14 g | Protein: 3 g | Fats: 22 g | Saturated Fats: 4 g | Ldl cholesterol: 16 mg | Sodium: 607 mg | Potassium: 201 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 190 IU | Vitamin C: 7.8 mg | Calcium: 27 mg | Iron: 0.5 mg

Diet info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

{initially printed 9/15/14 – recipe notes and photographs up to date 6/3/26}

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments