Creamy Mexican-Style Esquites

Ingredients

• 3 cup Corn kernels (Fresh, frozen, or canned and well drained; if frozen, pat dry with paper towels before cooking.)
• 1 tbsp Butter
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 0.5 Onion (½ small onion, finely chopped.)
• 2 Garlic (Cloves, chopped or finely minced.)
• 0.25 cup Mayonnaise (Use between ¼ and ⅓ cup, depending on how creamy you want them.)
• 0.25 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
• 0.5 cup Crumbled cotija cheese (Feta cheese may be substituted; divide into two equal portions.)
• 1 tsp Chili powder or Tajín (Adjust to taste; you may reserve some for finishing.)
• 1 tbsp Fresh lime juice (Use between 1 and 2 tbsp, to taste.)
• Salt (To taste.)
• Fresh cilantro (Chopped, for serving; approximately 10 g.)
• Smoked paprika (Optional.)
• Hot sauce (Optional.)
• Jalapeño (Optional, chopped.)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. 2

   Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until soft and translucent.

3. 3

   Add the corn kernels. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, fragrant, and showing some golden spots; do not rush this step, as it develops the smoky flavor.

4. 4

   Add the garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds, until fragrant but not burned.

5. 5

   Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the mayonnaise and Mexican crema or sour cream until the corn is glossy and well coated.

6. 6

   Add the chili powder or Tajín, lime juice, salt, and half of the cotija cheese. Mix until combined; taste and adjust the salt, chili, or lime.

7. 7

   Serve the esquites hot in heatproof cups or mugs.

8. 8

   Top with the remaining cheese, chopped cilantro, a little more chili, and a drizzle of lime juice. Add smoked paprika, hot sauce, or jalapeño if desired.

Notes

For a lighter version, replace half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. For a vegan version, use plant-based mayonnaise and crema, along with dairy-free feta cheese. You can add black beans or roasted chicken to increase the protein, or chipotle powder or adobo sauce for extra heat.

Nutrition per serving

• snack
• side dish
• vegetarian
• Mexican food
• corn
• quick
• sautéed
• creamy