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This spicy Mexican Street Corn Dip incorporates all the flavors of street corn into the creamiest corn-filled dip. Sweet summertime corn, mixed with chili powder, cream cheese, and mayo and served up dip-style with grilled corn, spicy chili butter, and salty crumbled Mexican cotija cheese on top. It’s quick to make and totally delicious, especially with tortillas chips on the side for scooping. A quintessential summer appetizer.
Continuing on with our unofficial appetizer week we’ve got ultra yummy street corn dip! You guys, look at me go with these appetizers. Dips are something I never share. I don’t know why because this corn dip is so delicious! It really needs to be on re-make all summer long.
This is a recipe I made purely out of a want and desire. As usual, I was frantically trying to get recipes together for a couple of weeks of travel. I knew I wanted to share some fun appetizers for the 4th. But I was getting tired of the usual Caprese type of app and wanted something completely different.
With our trip to Mexico quickly approaching, we were all craving Mexican food. So I made this dip to get us all excited. Now that our destination has been revealed, it feels very fitting for me to share this! Yes, in case you missed my stories on Instagram, Mexico is the family’s summer vacation destination! I’ll share more details on Sunday, but I flew from NYC to Puerto Vallarta yesterday and met my family in Sayulita. I’m excited to be here for the next few days!
However, this dip came to be long before I knew I was heading to Mexico. I was going to make my version of street corn, except that I wanted to make it into a dip! I love a good ear of grilled corn, but in my opinion, creamy dips are so much more fun. Especially when entertaining over the 4th.
This is the quintessential summertime dip and corn is the star!
The beauty of this dip is how quickly it comes together. It’s pretty simple, but there are a few steps that make my version of street corn dip a little more exciting. Or at least that’s what I like to think!
Everything starts with the spice mix. From what I’ve read about traditional street corn, or Elote, which is what it’s called in Mexico, it’s made by boiling corn with spices, then seasoning the warm corn with lime, mayo, and lots of chili powder. I took these flavors and put them into this dip.
For my spices, I used chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. I wanted to add a little smokiness and a little more kick to the flavors. You will use the spice mix both in the dip and for topping.
Cook the corn with onions and garlic, then add a dash of the spice mix. Stir in cream cheese and sour cream for major creaminess and simply cook everything together until it’s warmed. Having the dip warm is key, so keep this over low heat or warm in a crockpot (on the low setting) until ready to serve.
Next, the butter. Melt some butter together with the spices. Do you not skip this. The butter really, really flavors the dip in a wonderfully delicious way.
Finally, I mix the mayo with lime juice and put the dip together.
Spoon the dip into a wide, shallow bowl. Then add the grilled corn and spoon over dollops of the mayo. The mayo melts into the dip, just like it melts over the warm corn kernels. Then swirl in the butter.
Finish with so much crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Chips for scooping are a must!
I know this process may seem like a lot, but it actually comes together easily and quickly. Promise it will be so great for entertaining this summer!
And most importantly, this is just really good. The dip is so creamy with a spicy flavor, but not too much spiciness. And you can adjust the heat to your personal taste. The cheese and butter on top only make the dip even more delicious, really completing the dip experience.
This is one of those dips you’ll crave time and time again!
Looking for other summer corn recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Corn Polenta
Jalapeño Cheddar Stuffed Chicken with Creamed Corn
Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad
Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Lazone with Herby Corn
Lastly, if you make this Mexican Street Corn Dip, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I made this to bring to a BBQ with about 30 friends. I tripled the recipe. I received so many compliments! Big hit! I’ve added it to my favorites.
Hey Stacy,
Wonderful!! I’m so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xT
If you make this ahead of time, do you do all the steps except the cilantro garnish?
Hey Sue,
You bet, I would just make through step 5 and then finish it off before serving. I hope you love this recipe! xT
We have made it before and we DO love it. Just wasn’t sure where to make the break to re-heat. Thanks!
Would thawed frozen corn work for this recipe?
Hi Emily,
Of course, that would work well for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
I made this recipe with canned corn as fresh wasn’t available, I made sure to dry the corn well before I grilled it. It was such a hit, I will make again!
Hi Danielle,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed! xT
I’ve made this a few times now and it’s a big hit. My favorite way to serve is to use halved and seeded jalapeños, parboiled until just softened a little, stuff with the dip and bake for maybe 15 minutes. Before serving, spoon over the butter/spice mix and the lime/mayo, and top with cotija. So good!
Hi Jenene,
Happy Sunday! I am thrilled to hear this dip turned out well for you, thanks a lot for trying it out! Xx
This is unique and was a hit! Multiple reviews suggested using Frito Scoops and I would totally agree. I will absolutely add this to my appetizer recipes! The spice amounts are off: 2 Tbs chili powder, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne (total of 9 tsp) but then you only use a total of 4 teaspoons of the spice mix. I would recommend adjusting the seasoning or you throw out over half of your spice mix!
Hi Teresa,
Thanks so much for trying this dip, so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! I would never throw out half the spice mix, I just save it for the next time I make this recipe:) xx
Hi there! I agree about the spice mixture. I’m definitely going to save but I’d love to see it scaled down in this recipe to make just enough for this one use…I kept reading rereading to try and figure out when I’d be using all the spices and the answer is… you don’t!
Correct, I just save it for the next time I make this recipe:)
Is this supposed to be served warm or is room temp ok?
Hi Todd,
I prefer to serve this warm, but it should be just as good at room temp. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Have you ever tried freezing this? I would love to be able to make it ahead of a party
Hi Sue,
Sorry, I have never tried freezing this before, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! Xx
Is there a replacement I could use for sour cream? Thank you!
Hi Nancy,
Of course, greek yogurt would be a great option in place of the sour cream. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I have made this recipe so many times for parties. Everyone loves it. The flavor is amazing, and using frito scoops is a must for a good dip to chip ratio. More dip then chip!
Hey Jessica,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks for your comment and making this recipe so often, love to hear it is always a hit! xT
In step 2 am I supposed to use a teaspoon of spice? Or a tablespoon of spice? I’m assuming a tablespoon, otherwise I’ll have a lot of spice left over. I can’t wait to try this dip. It sounds so delicious.
Hi Kevin,
You are just going to use 1 teaspoon of the spice mix:) I hope you love this recipe, let me know how it turns out! xT
Can you make it the day before and just reheat?
Hi Jayne,
Yes, that will work well for you! I hope you love this recipe! xT
Phenomenal.
I’ve made this dip for multiple parties and it’s so good and people always ask for me to bring it. I swap the mayo for plain greek yogurt and use frozen corn when I can’t find fresh and it’s still great. 10/10 with frito scoops as the chip!
Hey Allison,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad it turned out well! Have a great weekend! xT