Mexican Street-Style Elote with Chili Lime Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Grilled corn on the cob slathered with a chili lime butter and topped with cotija cheese, a popular street food favorite bursting with flavor. This Mexican-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs fresh corn on the cob, unsalted butter, lime zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 ears, husked fresh corn on the cob
1/4 cup, softened unsalted butter
1 tsp lime zest
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp chili powder
1/3 cup, crumbled cotija cheese
2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 tsp lime zest, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth.
Step 3: Grill 4 ears of husked fresh corn for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until the kernels are charred in spots and tender.
Step 4: Remove corn from grill and immediately brush each ear generously with the chili lime butter mixture.
Step 5: Sprinkle 1/3 cup crumbled cotija cheese evenly over the buttered corn, then garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
Step 6: Serve warm as a flavorful and popular Mexican street food snack.