Elote Style Microwave Corn (Printable Version)

Sweet corn on the cob with creamy sauce, Cotija, lime, and chili prepared quickly in the microwave.

# What You Need:

→ Corn

01 - 4 ears fresh corn, husked

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
03 - 3 tablespoons sour cream
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

→ Cheese & Seasoning

05 - 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - Lime wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Wrap each ear of corn in a damp paper towel and microwave all together on high for 5-6 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender. Let cool slightly.
02 - In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice until smooth.
03 - Carefully unwrap the corn and, while still warm, brush each cob generously with the sauce mixture.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese over the coated corn, pressing gently so it adheres.
05 - Dust with chili powder and smoked paprika.
06 - Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in under 20 minutes, which means dinner guests won't think you've been cooking all day.
  • The combination of tangy lime, salty Cotija, and creamy mayo hits every flavor note at once.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so it works for almost any table.
  • Somehow feels fancier than it has any right to be given that you're mostly just coating corn with stuff.
02 -
  • The paper towel absolutely must be damp or the corn will come out tough and sad. I learned this the hard way on my second attempt when I thought dry paper towels would work fine.
  • Don't unwrap the corn immediately after microwaving because the steam will burn you. Also, the residual heat helps the sauce stick better, so patience here actually serves a purpose.
  • If your Cotija crumbles seem too big, break them down a bit before sprinkling so they distribute evenly and don't slide off with the first bite.
03 -
  • Fresh corn tastes noticeably better than frozen, but if you only have frozen, thaw it first and microwave it for three to four minutes instead of five to six.
  • Try grilling the microwaved corn for two minutes on a hot grill to add char and smokiness if you're feeling adventurous, then apply the sauce and cheese right after.
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