Elote loco is a Mexican street food dish made of grilled or boiled corn on the cob, slathered with various toppings. It is enjoyed as a popular snack in Mexico, and can be found at street food stalls across the country.
The name of this dish translates to crazy corn in English due to the large number of toppings added to the vegetable.
Popular toppings for elote loco include mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled cotija cheese, chili powder or Tajín seasoning.
Some variations of this dish may also be topped with additional ingredients like butter, hot sauce, or chopped cilantro.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Corn holds great cultural and historical significance in Mexican cuisine as it was one of the main crops grown by the indigenous people of Mesoamerica.
Elote is the name of a traditional dish made of grilled corn on the cob; elote loco is a modern twist on the traditional Mexican snack.
Elote Loco has gained popularity across Mexico, as well as in Mexican communities around the world.
This snack food is sold by street vendors, and is commonly associated with outdoor festivities, fairs, and celebrations, particularly during the summer months when fresh corn is readily available.
Similar corn-based snacks can be found across Mexico, such as the dish ‘esquites’ which is made of grilled corn kernels and served in a cup. This dish is enjoyed as a snack or as a side dish, and is often served with similar toppings to elote loco.
In Peru, ‘Anticuchos de Maíz’ consists of skewered grilled corn topped with similar flavors.
Mexican Elote Loco Recipe
Elote loco is a Mexican street food dish made of grilled or boiled corn on the cob, slathered with various toppings. It is enjoyed as a popular snack in Mexico, and can be found at street food stalls across the country.
Ingredients
- Fresh corn (with husks removed) - 4 ears
- Mayonnaise - 1/4 cup
- Sour cream - 1/4 cup
- Crumbled cotija cheese - 1/2 cup
- Chili powder or Tajín seasoning - ½ tsp
- Lime juice - 1 tsp
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and cooked through.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sour cream, mix well.
- Once the corn is cooked, take off the grill and use a brush or a spoon to generously spread the mayonnaise and sour cream mixture all over each ear of corn.
- Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese evenly over the corn, followed by the chili powder or Tajín seasoning.
- Next, squeeze fresh lime juice over the corn.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro (optional).
- Serve the Elote Loco immediately while the corn is still warm and the toppings have melted.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 257Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 509mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.