Print

Holiday Mexican Street Corn Dip

Creamy holiday Mexican street corn dip with charred corn and cotija cheese

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This easy dip captures all the smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors of classic street corn using a quick broiler method for perfect char. It’s a creamy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for festive gatherings or casual snacking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned, thawed and patted dry)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 large lime)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
  • 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the broiler to high. Spread the corn kernels in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil for 5-10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the corn is charred in spots. Let cool slightly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Beat with a hand mixer or sturdy spatula until smooth.
  3. Add the slightly cooled charred corn, 1 cup cotija cheese, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, chopped cilantro, and most of the sliced green onions (reserve some for garnish). Gently fold everything together until well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Serve immediately while slightly warm, or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
  5. Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with extra crumbled cotija, reserved green onions, a sprinkle of chili powder, and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with tortilla chips, baguette slices, or vegetable sticks.

Notes

For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream. To make it dairy-free, use vegan alternatives for cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese. Do not skip broiling the corn, as it creates the essential smoky flavor. The dip can be made a day ahead; store covered in the refrigerator and add fresh garnishes before serving.

Nutrition