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Street Corn Carnival Explosion

Find the perfect festival-inspired street corn recipe with a spicy twist in this easy-to-make, unforgettable side dish.

🕒 Prep: 15 minutes - Cook: 10-15 minutes - Total: 25-30 minutes
🍽 Servings: 6
🔥 Difficulty: Easy
🌎 Cuisine: American, Street Food

Allergens

Dairy (Cotija Cheese), Egg (Mayonnaise)

Ingredients

  • 6 ears of fresh corn, shucked
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup grated cotija cheese
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a spicy seasoning blend. Set aside.
  2. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat. Brush corn ears with melted butter and season with salt and black pepper.
  3. Grill the corn for 10 15 minutes, turning frequently until evenly charred on all sides. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Using a sharp knife, carefully remove corn kernels from the cob.
  5. In a large bowl, toss corn kernels with seasoning blend and lime juice. Stir in grated cotija cheese.
  6. Sprinkle additional cilantro leaves over the top for garnish. Serve immediately while warm and sizzling.

Chef’s Insight

The key to this dish is balancing the heat from the spices with the coolness of the lime juice, creating a harmonious explosion of flavors in every bite.

Notes

For added convenience, pre-mix the spicy seasoning blend and store it in a shaker container for easy application.

Cultural or Historical Background

This recipe pays homage to the traditional "elotes" street corn popular at festivals and carnivals across America, adding a unique twist with the spicy seasoning blend.