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Flavorful Grilled Street Corn on the Cob Recipe with Easy Lime Crema

grilled street corn on the cob - featured image

This grilled street corn on the cob features perfectly charred kernels topped with a tangy, creamy lime crema, cotija cheese, and a hint of chili powder for a smoky, zesty flavor. It’s a quick and easy side dish perfect for summer gatherings and BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream, full fat
  • Juice of 2 fresh limes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder, plus extra for sprinkling
  • ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Husk the ears of corn, removing all silk. Rinse under cold water to remove any remaining silk strands. Pat dry with a kitchen towel. (5 minutes)
  2. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust lime or seasoning if needed. (5 minutes)
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C). If using charcoal, wait until coals are glowing red with a layer of ash. (10 minutes)
  4. Brush each ear of corn evenly with melted butter to help get nice char marks and add flavor. (2 minutes)
  5. Place the buttered corn directly on the grill grates. Turn every 2-3 minutes so all sides get evenly charred. Cook for about 10-12 minutes total until kernels are tender and slightly blackened. (10-12 minutes)
  6. Remove corn from grill and immediately slather the lime crema all over each ear while still hot to help it stick. (2 minutes)
  7. Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese generously over the crema-coated corn. Add chopped fresh cilantro and an extra pinch of chili powder if desired. (3 minutes)
  8. Serve warm with lime wedges on the side for extra zing.

Notes

If fresh corn is not available, frozen corn on the cob can be used after thawing and drying. For a dairy-free or vegan version, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with vegan alternatives and replace cotija cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese. To enhance char, increase grill heat briefly but watch carefully to avoid burning. Lime crema tastes better if made 10-15 minutes ahead to let flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled corn, street corn, lime crema, cotija cheese, BBQ side dish, summer recipe, easy corn recipe, smoky corn, Mexican street food