Q: Can I use frozen corn?

Yes! Just thaw and cook it until hot. Sautéing adds better flavor than boiling alone.

Q: What cheese works best?

Cotija is traditional, but parmesan or queso fresco also work well.

Q: Can I prep this ahead of time?

Yes, but keep crema and toppings separate until just before serving.

Q: What’s the difference between elote and esquites?

Elote is corn on the cob. Esquites (or elote en vaso) is served off the cob, in a cup.

Q: Can I make it vegan?

Absolutely. Use plant-based butter, crema, and vegan cheese.

5-Minute Elote en Vaso Recipe – Authentic Mexican Corn in a Cup

Name: Elote en Vaso – The Ultimate Guide to Mexican Corn in a Cup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen – cooked); 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted; ⅓ cup Mexican crema (or mix mayo + sour cream); ¼ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled; 2 tbsp fresh lime juice; 1 tsp chili powder or Tajín; Salt, to taste; Optional: chopped cilantro, hot sauce, jalapeños, extra lime wedges

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen – cooked)

3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

⅓ cup Mexican crema (or mix mayo + sour cream)

¼ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp chili powder or Tajín

Salt, to taste

Optional: chopped cilantro, hot sauce, jalapeños, extra lime wedges

Instructions

Cook the corn if not already cooked (boil, sauté, or grill).
In a large bowl, combine hot corn with melted butter and salt.
Stir in crema and lime juice until coated.
Layer into serving cups, adding cheese and chili powder between spoonfuls.
Top each cup with Cotija, more lime juice, and chili powder.
Optional: garnish with cilantro or hot sauce before serving.

Author: Noureddine
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Snack / Side
Method: Boiled or sautéed
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Vegetarian