Mexican street corn

noun

1

: grilled corn on the cob that is coated with a creamy spread (such as mayonnaise, sour cream, or crema) and garnished with toppings (such as lime juice, cotija cheese, and chili powder) : elote

We also indulged in some Mexican street corn … which was nicely crunchy … and slathered in butter and cotija cheese, sprinkled with chili powder and lime and drizzled with crema, which made it really, really messy and drippy and so good …

—Heidi Knapp Rinella

called also street corn

2

: boiled, grilled, or sautéed corn kernels mixed with assorted ingredients (such as lime juice, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and chili powder) : esquites

Another side, Mexican street corn … was salty, sweet and citrusy, with grill marks on the rows of corn sheared freshly from the cob, sprinkled with cheese and laced with red pepper.

—Mike Sutter

The small salad of "Mexican street corn" … was spicy, sweet, and delicious.

—Joan Wilder

Diners can also sample Mexican street corn prepared as … esquites, served in a cup …

—Bradley Martin

called also street corn

Word History

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined at sense 1