Print

Party Platter Mexican Street Corn Dip

Creamy Mexican street corn dip with cotija cheese and tortilla chips.

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This dip captures the vibrant, smoky, and creamy joy of authentic street corn in a shareable bowl. Charred fresh corn is mixed with a tangy, spicy base of mayo, sour cream, lime, and cotija cheese. It is the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ears fresh corn, husked (or 4 cups frozen corn, thawed and patted dry)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1-2 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For serving: sturdy tortilla chips, sliced baguette, or crunchy vegetable sticks

Instructions

  1. Char the corn. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the corn ears with oil. Cook the corn, turning occasionally, until kernels are charred and blistered in spots, about 8-10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then use a sharp knife to slice the kernels from the cobs. If using frozen corn, spread it in the hot skillet and cook until browned.
  2. Mix the creamy base. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne. Whisk until smooth and well-blended.
  3. Combine everything. To the creamy base, add the charred corn kernels, crumbled cotija cheese, red onion, jalapeño, and most of the chopped cilantro (reserve a little for garnish). Gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
  4. Season and rest. Taste the dip and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Let the dip sit for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Serve. Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with reserved cilantro, an extra sprinkle of cotija, and a dusting of chili powder. Serve with chips, bread, or vegetables.

Notes

For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt or light sour cream. The dip can be made up to a day ahead; store covered in the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. Do not freeze. The char on the corn is essential for authentic flavor.

Nutrition