Mexican Street Style Jalapeno Corn Dip

Name: MEXICAN STREET STYLE JALAPENO CORN DIP RECIPE
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 6 ears sweet corn on the cob; 2-4 jalapenos (to taste); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 to 1 tsp paprika; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp pepper; 2/3 cup mayo; 2/3 cup sour cream; 4 oz cream cheese; Corn and jalapenos from grilling step; Juice of 1/2 lime; 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro; 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese; Salt to taste; 1 cup shredded mexican cheese blend (optional for baking); Optional garnish: Cilantro, cotija cheese, tajin and lime

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This Mexican Street Style Jalapeno Corn Dip (or "Elote Corn Dip") is an incredibly delicious, refreshing and unique appetizer for all kinds of gatherings and parties. It is an incredible combination of flavors and textures, with sweetness from grilled sweet, heat from grilled jalapenos, tanginess from sour cream and cream cheese, and cheesy creaminess from cotija cheese. It is easy to make, can be served hot or cold, and eaten with a spoon or served with chips or mini pretzel bites.

skillet with baked mexican style corn jalapeno dip and garnished with cotija cheese and lime. Surrounded by pretzel bites

Read the full blog post below for detailed notes, tips, tricks, photos and videos.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

WHAT IS MEXICAN CORN DIP?

Mexican corn dip is a flavorful, creamy appetizer that captures the flavor of Mexican street corn, or "elote," in dip form. Made with sweet corn, usually grilled or roasted for extra flavor, it's mixed with ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese (often cotija or feta), lime juice, and a blend of spices. Fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of tajín or paprika often top it off, adding a pop of color and extra zest.

It is perfect for serving with tortilla chips or fresh veggies, and is a crowd-pleaser at parties and gatherings, especially at summer BBQs.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY THIS MEXICAN STREET STYLE JALAPENO CORN DIP

Here are a few reasons why you should give this recipe a try:

You love corn (chances of which are really high). I know corn on the cob is great on its own, but if you like it plain, you will also love it in dip form!
You want to make a different dip / appetizer. We all love chips and guac or salsa, but sides and appetizers start to get quite repetitive sometimes. So if you want to serve one with a creative flair, this is a great and different option!
You enjoy sweet and spicy put together. What makes this specific dip so special is the addition of jalapenos, which offer just enough of a spicy kick to beautifully balance the sweetness from the corn
You want an easy recipe which still looks like you put in effort! This has to be on the list. This dip is delicious and sophisticated, but not difficult to make at all. You can even skip the grilling step to save more time if needed

Small skillet with baked mexican street style corn jalapeno dip and cheese on top, placed on a wooden board with mini pretzel bites, close up picture

Hand using a small pretzel bite to dip into a baked corn dip in a small skillet, and pulling some of the dip up with a cheese pull

A FEW TIPS TO PERFECT THIS RECIPE

This is quite an easy recipe, but I want to help you make the dip *you* will love most. So here are a few of my tips to get this perfect for yourself:

Grill the corn and jalapenos. This can be done easily on the stove, a grill, or (as per the recipe) using the broiler in your oven. It is an added step but absolutely worth it, as the charring brings out a greater depth of flavor in both the corn and the jalapenos
Hold back on the salt until the end. Cotija cheese is quite salty, so I recommend not adding any salt until everything has been mixed together so you don't end up with a dip that is too salty
Taste every step of the way and adjust the recipe to your liking. Everyone has different preferences. For example, you may like your dip to be more creamy or cheesy, or more spicy, or with more corn. Good thing is, this recipe is very versatile and you can (and should) taste and modify it. If you don't want a lot of heat, don't add as many jalapenos. If you want the dip to be more sour and creamy, add more sour cream and mayo. A good rule of thumb is to start with a lower quantity of every ingredient, taste, and add more as needed
Decide whether you want to serve it hot or cold. I have found that people feel strongly one way or the other. When you have mixed together all the dip ingredients, before assembling in skillet(s), taste and see if you like eating it cold. If so, skip the baking step!
Spruce up the dip with what you serve it with! You can serve this dip as it is (kind of like a side), or with tortilla chips, fresh veggies (cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers), or something a bit more different. I chose to serve it with King's Hawaiian's Original Hawaiian Sweet Pretzel Bites, for example

MEXICAN JALAPENO CORN DIP VIDEO TUTORIAL

Here is a short video tutorial for this recipe that I recommend watching:

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="fuRg0KSU" upload-date="2024-09-04T02:46:45+00:00" name="Mexican Street Style Jalapeno Corn Dip" description="How to make Mexican Street Style Jalapeno Corn Dip" player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

PROCESS WITH PHOTOS

The detailed recipe is provided in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but let's go over the steps with photos to help you visualize everything.

Lighlty oil the corn and jalapenos, sprinkle with paprika, and grill using the broiler in your oven until charred:

corns on the cob and jalapenos on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil

grilled corns on the cob and jalapenos on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil. they are slightly charred

Use a knife to cut the corn kernels off the cobs, and chop the jalapenos:

sharp knife being used to cut corn kernels off from a cob onto a cutting board

grilled sweet corn and chopped jalapenos on a wooden cutting board

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until golden:

chopped onion being sauted in a pan on the stove

chopped onion and garlic being sauted until golden in a pan on the stove

Add seasonings and mix:

paprika and pepper added to onion and garlic in a pan on the stove

paprika and pepper mixed into onion and garlic in a pan on the stove

Add sour cream, mayo, and cream cheese, and stir until creamy:

sour cream, mayo and cream cheese added to onion and garlic in a pan

sour cream, mayo and cream cheese added to onion and garlic in a pan and mixed until creamy

Remove from the heat and stir in the corn and jalapenos:

grilled corn and jalapenos added to base of corn dip in a pan

grilled corn and jalapenos added to base of corn dip in a pan and mixed until combined

Lastly, mix in the crumbled cotija cheese, cilantro and lime juice: (you can also optionally mix in shredded Mexican cheese)

cotija and mexican cheese added to corn dip in a pan

cotija and mexican cheese mixed into corn dip in a pan

Layer the dip in skillet(s) with shredded cheese and top off with tajin or paprika:

mexican street style corn dip added to 2 small skillets

mexican street style corn dip added to 2 small skillets and layered with shredded cheese

Bake until the cheese is golden and melted, then serve and enjoy!

2 small skillets with baked mexican street style corn jalapeno dip and cheese on top, placed on a wooden board with mini pretzel bites

hand holding a small pretzel bite which has been dipped into mexican street style corn dip

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I skip the jalapenos?

Yes, feel free to skip the jalapenos if you don't want to add the heat to this dip. You can also use a less spicy pepper (e.g., bell pepper).

Can I skip the grilling step to save time?

I do recommend grilling the corn and jalapenos for the best depth of flavor, but you can skip it if you're in a rush. In this case, use canned corn which is already cooked / tender.

Can I use canned sweet corn instead of corn on the cob?

Yes, if you're in a hurry or cannot find corn on the cob, you can use canned sweet corn instead. You can add it directly to the dip or toast it in a pan with some olive oil to lightly char it.

Can I skip the cream cheese, sour cream or mayo?

While I cannot vouch for exactly how the dip will turn out, you can use any combination of these three condiments that you like and have easy access to (e.g., skip the cream cheese but keep the sour cream and mayo, or skip the mayo). The key is to add something that brings a tang and creaminess to the dip, and make sure to taste so you can ensure everything tastes as you like.

Where can I find Cotija cheese?

Cotija cheese can typically be found in the dairy or specialty cheese section of most grocery stores, especially those with a well-stocked international or Hispanic foods aisle. Supermarkets like Walmart, Kroger, and Safeway often carry it. You can also find Cotija at Hispanic grocery stores or Latin markets, where it’s usually stocked with other Mexican dairy products.

What can I substitute the Cotija cheese with?

If you cannot find Cotija cheese, you can substitute it with another creamy, salty cheese like feta.

Do I have to bake the dip?

No, you can also serve this dip cold if you prefer it that way. Simply mix all the ingredients and skip the steps of layering with more cheese in skillets and baking.

Can I prepare this Mexican Street Style jalapeno corn dip in advance?

Yes, you can prepare this dip in advance! If serving cold, just keep in the fridge and serve. If serving hot, keep in the fridge and bake with more shredded cheese whenever you're ready to serve.

How to store Mexican Street Style jalapeno corn dip?

Store this dip in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.