Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs
Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn is the perfect summer side dish. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the best charred, juicy corn on the cob. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Feta Phyllo Rolls with Sweet Chili Honey Sauce and Easy No-Bake Ricotta Cups with Honey and Pistachios.
Why This Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy charred kernels with a smoky flavor
- Juicy and sweet corn on the cob
- Easy to make on the grill for summer BBQs
- Customizable with your favorite toppings
What You'll Need for Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 6 ears of corn on the cob
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra heat
- Optional: Lime zest for added freshness
- Optional: Sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangy twist
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Cotija cheese: Can be substituted with feta cheese if unavailable.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Grill — Achieves perfect charred kernels → See on Amazon
- Grill brush — Ensures clean grates for even cooking → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs
- Prepare the grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F/200°C).
- Grill the corn: Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides (about 10-15 minutes).
- Prepare the toppings: Mix mayonnaise, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the grilled corn. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the corn to prevent it from becoming dry. Keep an eye on it and turn frequently.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, brush the corn with a little bit of olive oil before grilling.
- Pro tip: Grill the corn husks for a smokier flavor and to make it easier to handle.
Storing & Reheating Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover corn in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The corn can be grilled ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Freezing Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some chopped jalapeños to the topping mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute cotija cheese with feta cheese if unavailable.
- Make-ahead: The corn can be grilled ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the corn is not cooking evenly, try moving it to a different part of the grill or rotating it.
Want to level up this recipe?
Grill pan — Allows for indoor grilling and easy cleanup → Check price on Amazon
Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 ears of corn on the cob
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra heat
- Lime zest for added freshness
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangy twist
Instructions
- Prepare the grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F/200°C).
- Grill the corn: Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides (about 10-15 minutes).
- Prepare the toppings: Mix mayonnaise, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the grilled corn. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some chopped jalapeños to the topping mixture.
- Best substitution: Substitute cotija cheese with feta cheese if unavailable.
- Make-ahead: The corn can be grilled ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the corn is not cooking evenly, try moving it to a different part of the grill or rotating it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover corn in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: The corn can be grilled ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs FAQs
Yes, you can. Follow the same instructions, but place the corn on a baking sheet and broil for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
Overcooking the corn can cause it to become dry. Keep an eye on it and turn frequently to prevent this.
Yes, you can grill the corn ahead of time and reheat it before serving. However, the toppings are best added just before serving.
Feta cheese is a good substitute for cotija cheese.
Yes, you can. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C), place the corn in the basket, and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe for Summer BBQs and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
