Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Off the Cob) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Off the Cob) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This Mexican Street Corn recipe is a healthy version of a restaurant favorite. I took the corn off the cob, switched out some ingredients (no mayo or sour cream), and kept the same delicious flavors to create this creamy, healthy Mexican-style corn salad. It makes an awesome appetizer, side dish, or snack!

Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Off the Cob) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

What’s in this Mexican Street Corn recipe

This creamy corn dish is so quick and easy to make, and it’s healthier than the traditional version. Just brown the corn in a skillet, mix it with all the ingredients to make a sort of corn salad, then eat!

  • Corn: A frozen steam-in-bag corn works great for this recipe, but you could also use canned (just drain and rinse before adding it to the skillet).
  • Plain Greek Yogurt: Use this healthy ingredient instead of mayo or sour cream to add a creamy element.
  • Low Fat Feta Cheese: Feta crumbles add a delicious tangy flavor. Try cotija cheese as a substitute!
  • Lime Juice: This adds a bright acidity to liven up the dish.
  • Jalapeno: Remove the seeds for a little spice, keep them for extra spice, or skip all together if you don’t want any heat.
  • Red Onion: These add a nice bite and some texture into the mix.
  • Garlic: I used 2 cloves but use as much or as little as you like.
  • Cilantro: I love fresh cilantro, but you can skip it if you don’t like it. You can use parsley or another herb too.
  • Frank’s RedHot Sauce: This adds amazing flavor and heat. Leave it out if you don’t like spice. You could also use a homemade taco sauce instead.

Variations on this off the cob street corn

To make this Mexican street corn more traditional, skip the healthy swaps and use mayo or sour cream if you prefer.

If you want an elote-style corn, add an elote seasoning blend (mix together paprika, cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, and lime zest).

If you want a less spicy version, skip the hot sauce and jalapeños.

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What is street corn?

Also known as Elote, Mexican street corn is typically grilled then covered with mayonnaise or sour cream, cheese, lime, and chile powder.

Is this corn spicy?

Between the jalapeño and hot sauce, this dish is pretty spicy. But you can leave out either ingredient if you prefer.

Does the corn need to be cooked first?

If using frozen corn, it should be cooked/warmed first. If using canned corn, you can just heat it in the skillet as instructed.

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How to Store Creamy Mexican Style Corn

Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Serve cold, straight from the fridge.

What to Serve with Mexican Street Corn

This healthy Mexican street corn makes a great dip or side dish. Serve it with plenty of tortilla chips as an appetizer for Cinco de Mayo or taco night. Use it as a topping (like a salsa) with your favorite tacos. Or add it to a plate of chicken enchiladas, chimichangas, or cilantro lime chicken. And of course you’ll want to pair it with a skinny margarita.

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe

Healthy Mexican Street Corn Dip

4.63 from 107 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 10 minutes minutes

Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Off the Cob) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Serves4

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This street corn is made with healthier ingredients for a quick and delicious snack, appetizer, or dip.

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Ingredients

  • 2 – 10 ounce bags steam fresh frozen corn
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • juice from one lime about 2 tablespoons
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 4 ounces low fat feta cheese
  • 1 jalapeno pepper chopped (leave the seeds in for extra spice!)
  • 2 tablespoons red onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 tablespoons franks redhot sauce or your favorite wing sauce

Instructions

  • Prepare corn according to package instructions.

    2 – 10 ounce bags steam fresh frozen corn

  • Once corn is steamed/dethawed, heat in a large skillet on medium high heat with the olive oil. I cooked it for about 7-8 minutes until it was slightly browned.

    1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Take corn off of heat and toss with all other ingredients.

    juice from one lime, 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt, 4 ounces low fat feta cheese, 1 jalapeno pepper, 2 tablespoons red onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons franks redhot sauce

  • Serve as side dish or as a dip with tortilla chips!

  • Serve immediately and refrigerate remainder for up to 3-5 days.

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 209kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) Protein: 9g (18%) Fat: 10g (15%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Cholesterol: 26mg (9%) Sodium: 561mg (24%) Potassium: 313mg (9%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 290IU (6%) Vitamin C: 11.6mg (14%) Calcium: 173mg (17%) Iron: 0.8mg (4%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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More Street Corn Recipes We Love

  • Mexican Corn on the Cob
  • Esquites Corn Salad
  • Avocado Corn Salsa
  • Grilled Corn Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn Salsa
  • Mexican Street Corn Dip
  • Street Corn Pasta Salad

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Healthy Mexican Street Corn (Off the Cob) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Can diabetics eat Mexican street corn? ›

Balance is important in everything, like anything else, moderate the amount of corn you include in your diet. This grain could spike your blood sugar, so be careful if you have diabetes.

What is the difference between elote and Mexican street corn? ›

Elote, also known as Mexican street corn, is a popular Mexican street food made from grilled or boiled ears of corn on the cob that is slathered in a creamy mayo sauce and garnished with chili powder, crumbled cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro. The word “elote” means “corn” in Spanish.

Is Mexican street corn high in carbs? ›

Nutrition Information

237 cal., 5.4 g pro., 16.89 g fat, 19.46 g carb., 1.47 g fiber, 162.59 mg sod.

What is the red stuff in elote? ›

The classic seasoning for elote is chili powder, but we have also found that we love it with smoked paprika. So maybe do a few cobs with each and see which one you prefer.

Is corn on the cob bad for a1c? ›

Corn is low in fat and low in salt, so it is suitable for diabetics' dietary guidelines. However, corn is still a starchy food group, so people with diabetes should not eat a lot of corn. To avoid difficulty controlling blood sugar.

Does corn masa spike blood sugar? ›

Can corn raise blood sugar? Yes, corn will raise your blood sugar because it contains carbohydrates. However, it has a low glycemic index and is a good source of fiber. Pairing it with foods rich in fiber, protein, and fat can help reduce the rate at which your blood sugars rise and promote blood sugar management.

What kind of mayonnaise to use for elote? ›

Elote Recipe Ingredients

Mayonnaise – It creates a creamy coating for the corn and helps the other fixings stick. I love the flavor of 100% mayo on elote, but if you prefer, you can sub Mexican crema or sour cream for some or all of it. Fresh lime juice and zest – For brightness.

Is cotija cheese the same as parmesan cheese? ›

One of Mexico's most famous cheeses, cotija is a semi-hard, slightly aged cheese with the crumbly texture of parmesan but a stronger, saltier flavor. Try as you might, cotija cheese won't melt, so it's sprinkled or crumbled on everything from soups and salads to tacos and tostadas.

Is elote good for you? ›

Elote is a favorite summer BBQ treat. Caramelized grilled corn is slathered with a sauce made from Mexican crema, then sprinkled with cotija cheese and cilantro. Butter may be good, but this corn cannot... Corn is rich in fiber and carotenoids, which makes it healthy for the gut and eyes.

Can diabetics eat street corn? ›

Yes, you can eat corn if you have diabetes. Corn is a source of energy, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It's also low in sodium and fat. That said, follow the advice of the American Diabetes Association.

Is Elote good for diabetics? ›

Fresh, Frozen or Canned Corn? Fresh, frozen or canned corn are all options that can be enjoyed by individuals with diabetes.

Is corn OK on a low carb diet? ›

You may choose to avoid corn on any low-carb diet, given its higher carb content. That said, it's possible to fit in a very small portion of fresh corn, such as a tablespoon or two, in low-carb diets such as keto, Keatley points out.

Why put mayo on corn on the cob? ›

Mayo does everything butter does for corn, but it has a lot more staying power. Both bring some fatty elements that are great for making corn extra flavorful and rich, but mayo has a deeper taste that adds more complexity than butter.

What kind of chili powder goes on elote? ›

Tajin- some sort of chili powder is usually added to elotes, and my favorite is Tajin. It's also something you can easily find at any grocery store. Hot sauce- This is optional- I like Tapatio or Valentina but you don't have to add hot sauce if you don't want to.

What does elote stand for? ›

Elote, or Mexican corn on the cob, is a popular street food in Mexico (that's why it's also known as Mexican street corn). Corn on the cob is charred on the grill, slathered with butter and mayonnaise, and finished with salty Cotija cheese.

What can a diabetic eat at a Mexican restaurant? ›

Mexican restaurants can definitely be a good option for people with diabetes. They offer low-calorie and low-carb options like beans, grilled veggies, and chicken, not to mention flavorful salsas made with fresh tomatoes, herbs, and spices.

Can diabetics eat elote? ›

Yes, you can eat corn if you have diabetes. Corn is a source of energy, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It's also low in sodium and fat. That said, follow the advice of the American Diabetes Association.

Can diabetics eat street tacos? ›

Tacos, burritos, and wraps can be tasty and permissible in your diet; when possible, ask for whole-wheat tortillas, and avoid any entrees that are fried. Add as many vegetables as you can on top and, if you can, add a small scoop of guacamole.

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