Elotes Asados al Adobo (Adobo Grilled Corn on the Cob)
Charred corn on the cob brushed with a lime and guajillo spread, the vegan street food side with smoky, tangy edges.
Made with Guajillo adobo paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.97 a head
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
Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the corn and simmer for 8 minutes until just tender. Drain and pat dry.
8 min - 2
Meanwhile beat the dairy free spread with 50 g of your ready made guajillo adobo paste (see the base recipe), half the lime juice and the salt until smooth and evenly red.
- 3
Heat a griddle pan, barbecue or grill to high. Cook the corn for 6 to 8 minutes, turning often, until charred in patches.
7 min - 4
Brush the hot corn all over with the adobo spread. Return to the heat for 1 minute so the spread sizzles and sticks.
1 min - 5
Squeeze over the rest of the lime juice, sprinkle with coriander and serve at once with lime wedges.
Tips
- Boiling first means the kernels are cooked through, so you only need the grill for colour.
- Spread the adobo mixture on while the corn is hot. It melts in and coats evenly.
- On a barbecue, wait until the coals are ash grey so the sugars in the corn char rather than burn.
- Slice the kernels off the cob and toss with the leftover spread for a quick esquites style cup.
Storing and freezing
Keep leftover corn in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat in a hot pan or the oven until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use frozen corn on the cob?
Yes. Cook it from frozen in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, then char as in the recipe. Pat it dry first or it will steam instead of char.
Is this the same as classic elote?
Not quite. Classic elote is coated in mayonnaise, cheese and chilli powder. This version uses a dairy free adobo spread and lime, so it is vegan and egg free.
Can I use butter instead of dairy free spread?
Yes, but the dish will no longer be vegan or dairy free. Use unsalted butter at room temperature.
More made with guajillo adobo paste
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.