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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Vegan Elote [Mexican Street Corn| Nut-Free]

    Published: Jul 28, 2022 by Toni

    Transform your corn this summer into delicious vegan elote (Mexican street corn) in under 20 minutes - made with a creamy vegan mayo-lime-chili sauce (nut free!), vegan parmesan, and cilantro!

    Jump to Recipe
    several completed Vegan Elote on a light dish against a light surface

    Creamy, Spicy, Summery Vegan Elote ‘Mexican Street Corn’

    If you’re looking for a new favorite summertime side dish, let me introduce you to this vegan elote (aka vegan Mexican street corn). With a combination of sweet corn (also smoky when grilled), a creamy sauce, spicy chili powder, tangy lime juice, and salty vegan parmesan/feta, this Mexican corn recipe is a treat for your taste buds and perfect at summer BBQs and potlucks!

    You can use whole ears of corn with or without the husks and prepare this simple Vegan Mexican street corn recipe in just 20 minutes for the perfect way to dress up corns of cob this summer (and ever!).

    What Is Elote?

    There are two main types of Mexican street corn, esquites, and elote.

    Esquites (also called ‘elotes en vaso’) refers to a snack of corn in a cup. In comparison, Elote (meaning ‘tender cob’ and pronounced eh-loh-tay) is a Mexican street corn dish using grilled corn on the cob.

    The combination of sweet, savory, salty, tangy, smoky, and spicy makes for an impressive, crowd-pleasing summertime side dish. And the snack is so popular that it’s sold in street carts on almost every street.

    Unfortunately, if you’re vegan, this dairy-heavy side dish may seem unattainable. Still, with just a few simple ingredient swaps, it’s easy to make delicious vegan elote at home and enjoy this Mexican corn recipe whenever you’d like! Unlike many other vegan Mexican street corn recipes, this version is 100% nut-free, too!

    The Elote Ingredients

    This vegan street corn is made up of just 7 simple ingredients.

    ingredients for Vegan Elote measured out on a white surface
    • Corn on the cob: You can use corn in the husks (and prepare them yourself) or buy pre-shucked corn cobs to save time, though the fresher, the better.
    • Vegan mayonnaise: Use your favorite vegan mayonnaise (or make your own).
    • Lime juice: Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. Optionally add lime zest, too.
    • Chili powder: Use a milder/hotter variety if preferred. Tajin chili powder (a combination of chili and lime) also works for this vegan elote OR ancho powder for a smoky, sweet, yet mildly spicy flavor.
    • Salt: Adjust the amount to taste.
    • Vegan parmesan: If you don’t have vegan parmesan cheese, vegan feta would also work, or even vegan shreds in a pinch.
    • Minced cilantro: If you’re not a fan of cliantro, parsley will work in a pinch.

    What Else Could I Add?

    Just 7 ingredients are needed for this Vegan Elote:

    ingredients for Vegan Elote measured out on a white surface
    • Vegan mayo/sour cream: Instead of using 100% vegan mayo, you could use a 50/50 combination of vegan mayo and vegan sour cream.
    • Vegan butter: If you love buttery corn as much as I do, brush some melted vegan butter over the cooked corn before adding the remaining ingredients.
    • Garlic: Add a small amount of garlic powder or minced garlic to the vegan cream sauce.
    • Cumin: You can add a small amount of cumin to the Mexican crema.
    • Cayenne: Add some cayenne powder to the vegan elote recipe for extra spice.
    • Chipotle powder: For a bit of heat plus an extra layer of mild smokiness.
    • Chamoy: To drizzle over the prepared Mexican corn on the cob.

    How to Make Vegan Elote (Mexican Street Corn)?

    Preparing Vegan Mexican Elote is very simple and follows just 4 steps.

    • 1) First, cook the corn using your preferred method (grilled, steamed, and boiled methods below).
    three cobs of corn with one peeled on a light surface
    four cobs of corn on a black skilled

    After cooking the corn, leave it to cool for a short while. Otherwise, the vegan mayonnaise sauce is more likely to slide right off.

    • 2) Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the vegan mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and salt, and stir well.
    ingredients for Vegan Elote measured out on a white surface
    process shot of mixing vegan elote ingredients in a small bowl against a light surface
    • 3) Combine the vegan parmesan and minced cilantro in a separate bowl (or large plate).
    two individual bowls of vegan cheese and cilantro measured out against a light surface
    • 4) Brush (with a pastry brush) each corn cob with the vegan cream mixture, then generously cover it with (or roll it in) the vegan parmesan mixture. Repeat with all the remaining corn, then enjoy warm!
    four cobs of corn on a light dish
    process of brushing vegan mixture onto cobbs of corn
    process of brushing vegan mixture onto cobbs of corn

    Sprinkle the vegan street corn with a further dash of chili powder for color and extra flavor if desired before serving.

    How To Cook Corn On The Cob?

    Traditionally, Mexican street corn recipes usually use grilled corn, but you can boil or steam it, too.

    Boiled corn on the cob: First, remove the husks and silks from the cobs. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully add the corn and cook for 3-6 minutes, or until the corn is tender and bright yellow.

    Steamed corn on the cob: Using a tiered steaming pan or filling a pan with a couple of inches of water and adding a steamer above will work for this method. Heat the water over high until boiling, then add the shucked corn cobs and a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 4-7 minutes until tender and bright yellow.

    Grilled corn on the cob

    You can grill the corn in or out of the husks (soak the corn first for 15 minutes if doing the latter, so the husks don’t catch fire). I prefer to remove the silk and the outer layers of the corn husks, then fold the remaining husks back over the corn. This will help it char but not overly so.

    Preheat your grill to high (around 550F/288C). Then add the corn cobs and cover the grill. Allow the corn to cook, occasionally turning, until it’s completely charred on all sides (around 15-20 minutes).

    Grilling the corn within the husks helps to keep it from drying out and overly charring while also giving it a nuttier flavor.

    However, you can also cook it directly on the grill by brushing them with oil and cooking, occasionally turning, until each side is browned and lightly charred.

    You can also use a grill pan on your stovetop using the same method over high heat.

    FAQs

    How to shuck corn?

    This can get messy, so I like to do it directly over my composting bin. First, grab half the husk and silk at the cob tip and rip downwards to peel away as much as possible. Repeat until the husk is entirely removed, then remove any lingering strings.

    How to choose the best corn?

    If you’re buying corn in their husks, there are several tips for choosing the best cobs:

    Look for corn with a tight green husk and golden brown tassels (the hair bit at the top), avoiding any with brown, cracked, dry-looking husks and tassels.
    You can also feel the corn for plump kernels and no gaps.
    Of course, if you’re able, the best way to check is to peel back the husk slightly and take a look.

    Can I use frozen corn?

    It should work if you thaw it first.

    Top Recipe Tips and Notes

    • Serve with or without a stick: A skewer can help make the vegan elote easier to eat without a mess. Otherwise, leave the stem intact to hold on to.
    • Have leftover vegan cream sauce? You can thin it with liquid and use it as a salad dressing.
    • Turn it into elote salad: After cooking the corn, slice away the kernels, mix the sauce/toppings into the corn, and serve as a corn salad! You could add pasta.
    • If you don’t have a pastry brush/basting brush: You could add the sauce to a tall glass and hold it at an angle as you twist the corn within to thoroughly coat the cob.
    several completed Vegan Elote on a light dish against a light surface

    Serving Recommendations

    You can enjoy this vegan elote as an appetizer or a side dish with almost any Mexican-inspired meals like:

    • Butternut squash burritos
    • Walnut meat tacos
    • Jackfruit tostadas

    More so, it’s a wonderful addition to any cookout/BBQ, potlucks, special occasions (like a 4th of July party), and dinner parties. Either way, get ready to watch this Mexican corn disappear in minutes!

    Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

    Make ahead: If you plan to grill the corn, you can remove the silk and several layers of the husk and leave them to soak in water for several hours before grilling.

    You could also cook the corn and store it covered in the fridge separately from the toppings for 3-4 days. That way, you can reheat it gently and add the toppings when needed.

    Store: Once assembled, it’s best to enjoy the Vegan Elote immediately or within a day of preparing it.

    Reheat: If the Vegan Elote is fully assembled, I recommend reheating them in the oven at 350F/180C until warm.

    several completed Vegan Elote on a light dish against a light surface

    More Vegetable Side Dishes

    • Crispy roasted sweet potato wedges
    • Air fryer asparagus
    • Air fryer potato wedges
    • Cheesy Hasselback potatoes
    • Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes
    • Air fryer butternut squash

    If you try this easy vegan elote recipe, I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

    Photos by Alfonso Revilla

    several completed Vegan Elote on a light dish against a light surface

    Vegan Elote [Mexican Street Corn| Nut-Free]

    Transform your corn this summer into delicious vegan elote (Mexican street corn) in under 20 minutes - made with a creamy vegan mayo-lime-chili sauce (nut free!), vegan parmesan, and cilantro!
    4.99 from 77 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 233 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • small bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 corn on the cob
    • â…“ cup of vegan mayonnaise
    • Juice of ½ of a lime
    • 2 teaspoons of chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon of salt
    • â…“ to ½ cup of vegan parmesan
    • 3 tablespoons of minced cilantro

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the corn using your preferred method. You can either grill it, steam it, or boil it.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the vegan mayo, lime juice, chili powder, and salt until combined.
    • In a separate small bowl, combine the vegan parmesan and cilantro, set aside.
    • Brush each cob of corn with the vegan mayo mixture, and then generously cover each with the vegan parmesan mixture.
    • Repeat with the remaining corn, and serve warm.

    Notes

    • Serve with or without a stick: A skewer can help make the vegan elote easier to eat without a mess. Otherwise, leave the stem intact to hold on to.
    • Have leftover vegan cream sauce? You can thin it with liquid and use it as a salad dressing.
    • Turn it into elote salad: After cooking the corn, slice away the kernels, mix the sauce/toppings into the corn, and serve as a corn salad! You could add pasta.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 375mgPotassium: 273mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 489IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword BBQ, corn, dairy free, elote, mexican recipes, mexican street corn, nut free, quick recipes, simple recipes, simple side dish, summer, summer recipes, vegan, vegan mayo, vegetarian
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @foodsharingvegan on Instagram!

    Disclaimer: Although foodsharingvegan.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Foodsharingvegan.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Andrea says

      July 28, 2022 at 8:35 pm

      5 stars
      such a fun and delicious recipe!

      Reply
    2. Jacqui says

      July 29, 2022 at 2:03 am

      5 stars
      Was totally looking for a recipe like this - and it’s so good! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        July 31, 2022 at 12:12 am

        It's a yummy one alright! Too good!

        Reply
    3. Trish Day says

      July 29, 2022 at 5:35 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! My husband and I both loved it. I made it with hash browns, plant based sausage and scrambled Just eggs over a bed of arugula.
      It was all good but the corn was the best!!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        July 31, 2022 at 12:13 am

        Love all your additions! Sounds amazing!

        Reply
    4. Tina says

      August 01, 2022 at 2:29 am

      5 stars
      Such a yummy recipe! Definitely adding this to my taco tuesday menu!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 08, 2022 at 1:50 am

        Yessss! It's going to be a great addition to your tacos!

        Reply
    5. Janaye says

      August 01, 2022 at 5:48 am

      5 stars
      Delicious looks great!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 08, 2022 at 1:52 am

        It comes out soooo delicious! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Gina H. says

      August 02, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      I couldn't love these more. A totally new flavor combination for me, but I'm drooling over them as we speak!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 08, 2022 at 1:54 am

        Such amazing flavor combos with this one!

        Reply
    7. Bea Buono-Core says

      August 03, 2022 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      I love nothing more than corn on the cob so these are like taking them to the next level! Wow!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 08, 2022 at 1:57 am

        I couldn't agree more! Such a great flavorful addition to corn on the cob!

        Reply
    8. Gina Abernathy says

      August 07, 2022 at 2:14 am

      5 stars
      Amazing! Delicious! Will have to make more next time. This was gone in minutes. The family gobbled it up fast.

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 08, 2022 at 2:05 am

        So glad everyone enjoyed it! It's a delicious one!

        Reply
    9. Teodora says

      August 07, 2022 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      Yum! This is one of my favorites! I am making them a few times a week!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 08, 2022 at 2:06 am

        Love to hear it! It comes out so good every time!

        Reply
    10. Katie says

      August 08, 2022 at 1:01 pm

      5 stars
      So excited about finding a vegan version of elote! One of my favorite foods!!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 14, 2022 at 9:02 pm

        You're going to loveee this one!

        Reply
    11. Aimee DiPasquale says

      August 09, 2022 at 10:57 pm

      4 stars
      that looks delicious

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 14, 2022 at 9:05 pm

        You'd love it! Let us know what you think 🙂

        Reply
    12. Elizabeth says

      April 26, 2023 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      Love the mayo lime chili sauce - so good! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        May 08, 2023 at 3:43 am

        So glad you enjoyed it! The flavor is amazing!

        Reply
    13. Gloria says

      April 26, 2023 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      We love this corn. Especially in the middle of fresh corn season. Always a hit at bbq parties.

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        May 08, 2023 at 3:43 am

        Same! Forever a guaranteed hit!

        Reply
    14. Monica says

      April 26, 2023 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      No doubt about it, this is the dreamiest of summer dishes! I love elote but having a vegan option is a game-changer for our many friends and family who follow that lifestyle. Thank you for this great recipe!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        May 08, 2023 at 3:43 am

        Agreed! Super great for enjoying in the summer!

        Reply
    15. Lindsay says

      April 26, 2023 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite summer flavors and I loved it vegan! Fabulous recipe!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        May 08, 2023 at 3:44 am

        Yesss! Such a yummy summer goodie!

        Reply
    16. Jerika says

      April 28, 2023 at 2:02 am

      Wow this is unique for me!:) What an awesome way to transform your corn this summer into delicious vegan elote! 🙂 Love it, will do this on Saturday picnic. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        May 08, 2023 at 3:45 am

        Hope you enjoy it! It's definitely a great way to enjoy corn in the summertime!

        Reply

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