Best Grilled Corn Elote Skewers: Easy Tailgate Recipe
These grilled corn elote skewers are the ultimate tailgate party food. Quick and easy to make, they feature sweet corn charred to perfection and slathered in a creamy, tangy, and spicy elote sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ears fresh corn on the cob
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12–16 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
- Shuck the corn, remove the silk, and rinse. Cut each ear crosswise into 2-inch rounds.
- Thread 3-4 corn rounds onto each skewer, leaving a little space between them.
- Lightly brush each skewer with vegetable or avocado oil and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Grill the skewers for 4-6 minutes per side, until charred and tender (8-12 minutes total).
- While the corn grills, make the elote sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and lime juice. Stir in half the chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- As soon as the skewers come off the grill, transfer them to the bowl with the elote sauce and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with remaining cilantro and extra cotija cheese if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
Notes
Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Cut corn into even rounds for uniform cooking. Oil the corn, not the grill grates. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Taste the sauce before tossing. Serve immediately for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (about 3-4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 13.5
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 4.5
Keywords: grilled corn elote, elote skewers, tailgate recipe, Mexican street corn, easy appetizer