0 from 51 votes
Esquites
This Esquites recipe is my favorite way to enjoy fresh corn on the cob! It's Mexican Street Corn in a cup so it's flavorful, creamy, and such an easy snack or side dish that everyone loves! You can also use frozen corn to enjoy it year round.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 299 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Snacks
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter , softened
- 1/3 cup onion , diced, (optional)
- 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper , seeded, diced, (optional)
- 1/3 cup water
- 4 ears corn* , husked, cut from the cob (about 3 cups)
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 5 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 5 Tablespoons Mexican crema , or sour cream
- 1/3 cup cotija cheese , shredded, or queso fresco*
- chili powder , Tajin, or hot sauce , to taste
- 1 lime , quartered
Instructions
- Add butter to a skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add onion and pepper then sauté until tender. Add water and corn. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is tender (about 5-8 minutes).
- Season with black pepper and a little salt then divide among 4 cups.
- In each cup, add 1 heaping teaspoon of mayonnaise and 1 heaping teaspoon of Mexican crema (or sour cream). Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle generously with grated cheese and chili powder, to taste. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze on top. Enjoy immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Corn: White corn is traditionally used in Mexico, but yellow corn can be substituted. You could also substitute 3 cups frozen corn.
- Cheese: Cotija cheese is traditional, but if you can’t find it, substitute finely grated parmesan cheese.
- Make Ahead Instructions: Follow the instructions to cook the corn and onion mixture, allow it to cool, then keep it covered in a container in the fridge. The topping ingredients can be prepped and stored too. Before you serve it, just re-warm the corn in a skillet then continue separating it into cups and adding the toppings.
- Freezing Instructions: Follow the instructions to cook corn then allow it to cool and store in a freezer safe container for 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge then heat on the stove in a pan before separating into cups and adding toppings.
Nutrition Information
Calories
299kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
22g
(7%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
23g
(35%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
8g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
36mg
(12%)
Sodium
369mg
(15%)
Potassium
300mg
(9%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
451IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
16mg
(18%)
Calcium
105mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 299
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 299kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 36mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 369mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 300mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 451IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 105mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.