Pan-Fried Mexican Street Corn Tacos with Cotija and Lime Crema

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

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.

Sweet corn kernels pan-fried with smoky spices, stuffed into warm corn tortillas, and topped with tangy lime crema and crumbly Cotija cheese for an authentic Mexican street food experience. This Mexican-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs fresh corn kernels, corn tortillas, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 300 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups fresh corn kernels
8 small corn tortillas
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp lime juice
1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups fresh corn kernels, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the corn is golden and slightly charred.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 2 tbsp lime juice to create the lime crema.
Step 3: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable. Spoon the sautéed corn evenly onto each tortilla.
Step 4: Drizzle each taco with lime crema, sprinkle with 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of creamy, smoky, and fresh flavors.