Elote sauce (street corn crema)
The creamy, cheesy, limey sauce that makes Mexican street corn so addictive, plus a salad dressing and a dip.
Make this once, then cook it into 18 different dishes.
- Time10 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.21 a head
- Makesabout 300 ml, enough for 3 batches of corn for 4
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the mayonnaise and soured cream in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and evenly mixed.
- 2
Add the lime zest, lime juice, garlic, chilli powder and coriander. Whisk well.
- 3
Crumble the feta as finely as you can with your fingers or the back of a fork, then stir it in.
- 4
Taste. It should be creamy, tangy and salty with a little chilli warmth. Add salt only if needed, or more lime juice if it is too rich.
- 5
Chill for 20 minutes so the garlic mellows. To use, brush it over grilled sweetcorn or toss it with corn kernels, and dust with extra chilli powder.
About elote sauce (street corn crema)
Elote sauce is a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, soured cream (or Mexican crema), crumbled cheese, lime and chilli powder, brushed over street corn. It tastes rich, salty and sharp with a little warmth, and it clings to charred sweetcorn in the way that makes elote one of Mexico's best loved street foods.
Elote means a grilled corn on the cob, and esquites is the same flavours served in a cup with the kernels cut off. The traditional cheese is cotija, a dry, salty crumbly Mexican cheese. In the UK, feta or a dry Parmesan style cheese gives a similar salty bite.
Beyond corn, this sauce is excellent as a salad dressing, a dip for chips and crudités, a drizzle on tacos and burgers, and a topping for baked potatoes.
Tips
- Grate the garlic finely or crush it with salt. Chunks of raw garlic dominate a sauce that is not cooked.
- Use full fat mayonnaise and soured cream for the right richness. Low fat versions make the sauce runny.
- Feta is much saltier than most cheeses. Taste before adding any salt.
- Egg free version: use an egg free (vegan) mayonnaise. Check the label too if you need it nut free.
- Dairy free version: use dairy free yoghurt or coconut cream instead of soured cream, leave out the feta and add 1 tbsp nutritional yeast and a little extra salt.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, as the mayonnaise separates. If you are serving it outdoors, keep it chilled and do not leave it in the sun for more than 2 hours.
Dishes you can make with elote sauce (street corn crema)
Elotes Asados con Crema y Chile (Mexican Street Corn on the Cob)
GFNFEsquites Cremosos con Chipotle (Creamy Chipotle Corn Cups)
GFNFElotes Asados al Achiote (Achiote Street Corn)
NFElotes Asados al Pastor (Pastor Glazed Street Corn)
NFPollo Asado Entero al Horno con Elote (Roast Chicken with Street Corn)
GFNFEsquites con Carnitas (Street Corn Cups with Pork)
GFNFHPElote Asado (Mexican Grilled Street Corn)
NFEnsalada de Elote y Pepino (Street Corn and Cucumber Salad)
GFNFPapas Asadas estilo Elote (Street Corn Loaded Baked Potatoes)
GFNFColiflor Asada estilo Elote (Roasted Cauliflower, Street Corn Style)
GFNFDip de Elote Caliente (Hot Street Corn Dip)
GFNFQuesadillas de Rajas con Elote (Pepper and Corn Quesadillas)
NFQuestions
What is a good substitute for cotija cheese?
Feta is the most common UK substitute, crumbled finely. A dry, salty Parmesan or pecorino also works. Use less than you think, because all of these are very salty.
Can I use crema instead of soured cream?
Yes. Mexican crema is thinner and slightly sweeter, and is sold in some UK shops. Soured cream thinned with a spoonful of milk or crème fraîche is a good everyday swap.
How do I make elote sauce egg free or dairy free?
Use a vegan mayonnaise for egg free. For dairy free use dairy free yoghurt or coconut cream in place of soured cream and leave out the feta, adding nutritional yeast for a cheesy note.
What else can I use this sauce on?
It works as a dressing for slaw and salads, a dip for chips and raw vegetables, and on tacos, burgers and baked potatoes.
Is elote sauce gluten free?
Yes, if your mayonnaise is gluten free, which most are, so check the label. It contains egg and dairy, so it is not suitable for egg or dairy allergies unless you use the swaps.
More base recipes
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.