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Elote en Vaso Corn in a Cup

Elote en Vaso Corn in a Cup

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Elote en vaso delivers smoky grilled corn layered with a creamy mayo and tangy cheese blend served in a cup. Grilling the corn on high heat caramelizes sugars and adds charred flavor while keeping kernels tender. This recipe is quick to make and perfect for enjoying Mexican street food flavors at home with minimal mess.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients
  

  • 4 ears fresh corn kernels cut from cob after grilling
  • 2 tablespoon butter melted, brushed on corn before grilling
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise use thick, full-fat mayo
  • 2 tablespoon sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder toasted in dry skillet 1 minute
  • ½ teaspoon paprika toasted together with chili powder
  • ½ cup cotija cheese crumbled finely by hand
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
  • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped for garnish
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Equipment

  • Grill or Grill Pan For charring fresh corn
  • small dry skillet For toasting chili powder and paprika
  • Mixing bowl For mixing corn with creamy base

Method
 

  1. Brush 4 ears of corn with melted butter and grill over medium-high heat, turning every 2 minutes until all sides have char marks, about 8-10 minutes total. Let cool 3 minutes then cut kernels off the cob into a large bowl.
  2. Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add chili powder and paprika and stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant and slightly darkened. Remove immediately from heat.
  3. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, toasted spices, lime juice, and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in warm corn kernels and toss until every kernel is evenly coated.
  4. Divide the corn mixture evenly among 4 cups. Crumble cotija cheese by hand and sprinkle over each cup. Press down lightly so cheese adheres to creamy corn.
  5. Sprinkle finely chopped cilantro and an extra pinch of chili powder over each cup. Serve immediately while corn is warm for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use thick, full-fat mayonnaise to prevent soggy layers.
  • Toast chili powder and paprika to deepen smoky flavor.
  • Assemble cups immediately after grilling for best taste and texture.

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