Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe (Easy and Delicious!)
Jun 13, 2024, Updated Sep 17, 2024
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Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe (Easy and Delicious!)– is a guaranteed showstopper. It combines creamy textures with smoky and spicy flavors, perfect for a party or a cozy night in. Enjoy bringing this delightful taste of Mexican-inspired street food to your table! If you love traditional Mexican street corn, this recipe is for you!
Serve with Pollo Asado, Tacos al Pastor, and Mexican fruit salad.

Why you’ll love this recipe…
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this creamy Mexican street corn dip (or elote dip recipe)! It’s one of our favorite appetizers. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- A Crowd Pleaser: a great recipe for parties, BBQs, or even as a special treat during movie night. Serve this delicious dip recipe for Cinco de Mayo, or game day. It’s the perfect appetizer.
- Rich, Layered Flavors: The combination of spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, along with the natural sweetness of fresh corn and creamy sour cream and cream cheese, provides a unique and tasty depth of flavor.
- Versatility in Serving: This creamy dip is incredibly versatile. It can be served warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for any gathering or event. It pairs beautifully with various dippers, from tortilla chips and bread to crunchy vegetables.
If you love corn, you will also love this Chipotle Copycat Red Chili Salsa and Charred Corn with Zucchini Salad!

Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This Mexican corn dip recipe requires a few fresh ingredients and will turn into one of your favorite dips!

- Chili Powder – Adds a mild to moderate heat and a deep, earthy flavor, typical of many Mexican dishes.
- Smoked Paprika – Imparts a smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste profile, mimicking the charred flavor of grilled corn.
- Cayenne Pepper – Provides a spicy kick- and adjusts to your personal preference.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Used for sautéing; it adds a subtle, fruity background note that complements the richness of other ingredients.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps in browning the onions, enhancing their sweetness.
- Yellow Onion – offers a sweet, aromatic base that mellows out as it cooks, providing a foundational flavor for the dip.
- Corn Kernels – The star of the dish, fresh sweet corn, brings sweetness and a bit of crunch, embodying the essence of traditional Mexican street corn.
- Garlic – Adds a pungent, aromatic depth essential in balancing the creamy and spicy elements.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper – Seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dip.
- Cream Cheese – creates a creamy, smooth base for the dip, making it rich and luscious.
- Sour Cream – Adds tanginess and creaminess, balancing the heat from the spices and enriching the texture.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Introduces a zesty, bright note that cuts through the richness and complements the spices.
- Cotija Cheese – A salty, crumbly cheese that adds a distinctively sharp flavor and a bit of texture as a topping.
- Grilled Corn – Used for topping, it provides a charred, smoky flavor and a visually appealing contrast in textures.
- Fresh Cilantro – Adds a burst of freshness and color, enhancing the visual appeal and adding a light, citrusy flavor.
- Mexican Crema – Thinner and slightly sweeter than regular sour cream, it drizzles beautifully and adds a creamy finish.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Mexican Street Corn Dip
This Mexican Street Corn Dip recipe is perfect for anyone who loves bold, vibrant flavors and wants a dip that truly stands out at any gathering. Here’s how to make it, step by step, ensuring each ingredient melds beautifully to create an absolutely irresistible dip. See the printable recipe card for full instructions.

Mix spices in a small bowl.

Brown the onions in the pan.

Add the fresh corn.

Mix in the spices and combine then cook.

Add the cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until creamy and combined.


Enjoy this delcious dip recipe! The charred corn on top is optional, but provides the most amazing flavors to the overall dish.

Substitutions
Here are some substitutions:
- Corn: If fresh corn is not available, you can use frozen corn kernels. Thaw and drain them well before using. Canned corn, drained and patted dry, can also work in a pinch.
- Cotija Cheese: If cotija cheese is hard to find, crumbled feta cheese or even grated Parmesan can serve as a good substitute. Both alternatives offer a similar salty and tangy flavor profile.
- Cream Cheese and Sour Cream: For a lighter version, you can substitute cream cheese with plain Greek yogurt or a low-fat cream cheese. This adjustment will still provide creaminess but with less fat.

Variations
Here are some creative ideas to customize and enhance the dish:
- Bacon and Jalapeño: Add crispy bacon bits and diced jalapeño pepper for a smoky, spicy twist. The bacon adds a savory depth that pairs well with the sweetness of the corn.
- Roasted Red Pepper: Mix in chopped roasted red peppers for a sweet and smoky flavor. This also adds a beautiful pop of color to the dip. Add a little hot sauce for extra heat.
- Queso Fresco and Corn Relish: Instead of cotija, use queso fresco and a homemade corn relish as toppings for a fresh and zesty flavor profile.
How to Store and Reheat
To store leftover street corn dip, follow these simple steps:
- Cool Down: Allow the dip to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Transfer: Place the dip in an airtight container. If you don’t have an airtight container, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate: Store the dip in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: When ready to serve again, you can reheat the dip in the microwave or on the stovetop. Stir occasionally to ensure it heats evenly.
*Freezing is not recommended for this dip due to the dairy components (cream cheese and sour cream), which may separate and become grainy upon thawing.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Corn: Whenever possible, use fresh corn kernels cut straight from the cob. Fresh corn provides the best flavor and texture.
- Opt for Full-Fat Dairy: Using full-fat cream cheese and sour cream will give you a richer and creamier texture. These ingredients help balance the spices and acidity, making the dip more indulgent.
FAQs
Yes, you can use canned corn; just make sure to drain it well and pat it dry. If you want a charred effect, you can briefly sauté the canned corn in a hot skillet.
Yes, you can prepare this dip a day in advance. The flavors actually meld together nicely overnight. Just reheat gently before serving and add fresh toppings.
More Mexican Recipes
Love Mexican food? Try our favorite Mexican-inspired recipes:

Best Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Mexican Street Corn Dip is a guaranteed showstopper. It combines creamy textures with smoky and spicy flavors, perfect for a party or a cozy night in. Enjoy bringing this delightful taste of Mexican-inspired street food to your table!
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1–2 teaspoons smoked paprika (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh from about 3 ears of corn)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese, for topping
- 1 ear grilled corn, kernels removed, for topping
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for serving
- 2–3 tablespoons Mexican table sour cream (crema), for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Spices: In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Adjust the cayenne based on how spicy you like your dip.
- Cook the Onion and Corn: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and slightly golden, 5 minutes. Add the fresh corn kernels and minced garlic, and cook until the corn is tender and golden brown even slightly charred, which brings out its natural sweetness. Season with salt and pepper and add the spice mixture.
- Reduce the heat to low. Mix in the cream cheese until melted and creamy. Stir in the sour cream. Cook until warmed throughout. If desired, thin the dip with a little of the Mexican table crema.
- Transfer the dip to a serving dish or wide bowl and sprinkle with crumbled cotija cheese and grilled corn kernels. Garnish with chopped cilantro and drizzle Mexican crema over the top. This not only adds flavor but also gives it a wonderful creamy texture and presentation. Add a sprinkle of paprika and lime slices on the side, if desired.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this dip warm with tortilla chips. It’s also fantastic with sliced vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Savory
- Method: Mexican
- Cuisine: American
This is so delicious! Everyone from old to young loved this! Have made it twice and will again for the Super Bowl- thanks Elena!
YAY, so happy to hear this! Yes, it is a yummy recipe!
I did not see measurements for Mexican street corn
Please see the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Best Mexican dip ever! Such a nice change from bean dip and guacamole! Thanks for sharing this great summertime dish!
YAY! So happy you loved this fresh and yummy dish.
An absolute favorite at our house!!
Everyone commented on this dip! Easy to throw together last minute. I only had frozen corn that we charred just on stovetop, and it still was so amazing. Keeping this one as a favorite!
Yay! Thrilled everyone loved it. It works great with frozen corn.