Description
A rich, smoky, and creamy dip that captures the flavor of Mexican street corn without the hassle. This beginner-proof recipe uses charred corn, mayo, cream cheese, and cotija for a crowd-pleasing appetizer ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups whole kernel corn (frozen, thawed and drained, or fresh)
- ½ cup full-fat mayonnaise
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Thaw frozen corn for 10-15 minutes and drain excess water. If using fresh corn, cut kernels off the cob.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn and spread in a single layer. Let sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to char, then stir and repeat until corn is tender and charred in spots.
- In a small bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Reduce heat under the corn to low. Pour the mayo mixture over the corn and stir gently to coat.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dip is hot, creamy, and glossy.
- Transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, lime zest, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
Notes
Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps. Do not skip the char on the corn as it provides the smoky flavor. This dip is best served warm. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days but should not be frozen.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the batch
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: elote dip, street corn dip, labor day recipes, party appetizer, corn dip, mexican dip, easy dip, summer recipes