This Elote Dip is the snack of the summer!
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Forget your favorite salsa. Ditch the guacamole. This elote dip is the only thing you’re going to be craving at your summer fiestas. Inspired by the colorful flavors of Mexico and the iconic street food it’s named after, elote dip is a quick and easy party snack to impress all of your guests!
A Southern California native myself, I’m partial to a good Mexican food recipe. I don’t think I’ve ever said no to chips and dip paired with a Spicy Margarita at happy hour, an elote cart on the beach, or a trio of local street tacos. So when I heard about this elote dip recipe, I knew I had to try it ASAP.
For those of you who may not be familiar with elote, it’s an iconic snack in Mexican culture. The most common version is corn on the cob slathered in mayo, chili powder, lime, cotija cheese, and a little bit of fresh cilantro. It is typically served on a stick for an on-the-go treat, not unlike fair food… and it is perfect for hot summer nights. Messy? Yes. Delicioso? Si!
Known for its messiness, turning elote into a dip is the perfect way to serve the same amazing flavors with half the clean-up! The end result is a tangy, sweet, and just spicy enough dip that everyone will love.
Is Elote Dip Healthy?
You wouldn’t think it, but this elote dip is actually pretty healthy. The main ingredient is corn, which contains tons of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, and this particular recipe uses Greek yogurt to substitute some of the mayonnaise. You could get away with using only Greek yogurt and scrapping the mayo entirely if it suits your diet. I would also suggest adding diced avocado to your dip before serving for added health benefits – and a SoCal-style taste!
Make This Elote Dip Your Own
What I really love about the idea of elote dip is that, much like the traditional street food, you can totally customize it to your taste. While I love to add avocado, extra lime, and a sprinkle of Tajín to mine, you might find your own unique twist on this simple dip. I’ve seen people substitute the cotija for feta, add their favorite hot sauce, or mix in other veggies like tomato and pepper to make it more of a corn salsa. Get creative with it!
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed if frozen)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Char
Cook corn until golden.
Mix
Combine yogurt, mayo, cheese, and spices.
Combine
Add corn to the mixture and season.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Elote dip is super easy to prep ahead of time. Make it whenever you want, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Before serving, allow it to return to room temperature. The dip should last up to 4 days in the fridge. Just don’t freeze it, as it won’t reheat well.
You can modify this recipe to be dairy-free by simply substituting your favorite vegan cheeses and yogurt. You can also skip the dairy elements altogether and make the dish focused with seasonings, lime juice, and some olive oil. It won’t have the same creamy texture, but it will definitely still taste good!
You can absolutely use frozen or canned corn for your elote dip, just make sure the kernels are thawed ahead of time. We’re all about simplifying recipes here at FFF, so do what you need to do to make this one easy on you!
Serving Suggestions
Elote dip makes a great appetizer or snack if you simply pair it with your favorite tortilla chips. I love making mine at home in the air fryer, just like this recipe suggests. If you want to get creative or make use of your leftover dip, try it on these Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, or serve it over Black Beans and Rice with your favorite protein. However you choose to enjoy your elote dip, make sure you have a good drink to go with it. I suggest this Pomegranate Margarita.
Don’t forget to let me know how you made this elote dip your own!
Elote Dip
Ingredients
- 4 cups corn kernels fresh or frozen (thawed if frozen)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is golden and begins to char, about 7-10 minutes.
-
In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, feta or cotija cheese, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and minced garlic. Mix until well combined.
-
Add the cooked corn to the yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature with tortilla chips for dipping.
Nutrition
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