Description
Mexican street corn delight blends sweet corn, creamy cheese, and zesty cilantro in a quick side dish. Fresh ingredients and simple preparation create a memorable culinary experience you’ll want to savor again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups fresh corn kernels (from 8–10 shucked cobs)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated dry/aged cotija cheese (plus additional for garnish)
- ¼ cup olive or vegetable oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
- ¼ tsp ancho chili powder
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp grated lime zest
- 2 tbsps plus 2 tsp chopped cilantro, divided
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm a large nonstick pot over medium-high heat, coating with oil. Tumble corn kernels, onions, chili powder, salt, and pepper into the pot, stirring vigorously to prevent scorching.
- Caramelization: Allow corn and onions to dance and transform, developing deep golden hues and releasing intense flavors for 8-10 minutes. Introduce minced garlic, letting its fragrance infuse the mixture for a minute. Carefully separate 1-1/2 cups of the corn medley for later garnishing.
- Flavor Extraction: Add broth and corn cobs, scraping the pot’s bottom to liberate concentrated flavor essence. Bring liquid to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 20 minutes. Remove corn cobs with tongs and discard.
- Creamy Transformation: Blend the mixture until achieving a silky smooth consistency, working in batches if needed. Fold in sour cream and Cotija, creating a luxurious texture. Return to pot and gently reheat.
- Final Touches: Incorporate reserved corn mixture, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and chili powder to taste. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with remaining corn, lime zest, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of Cotija cheese.
Notes
- Caramelize Corn Carefully: Stirring prevents burning and develops rich, deep flavors by allowing corn to develop golden brown edges without sticking.
- Scrape Fond Thoroughly: The browned bits at the bottom of the pot hold concentrated flavor, so use a wooden spoon to release every delicious morsel during liquid addition.
- Blend in Batches: Overfilling the blender can cause hot liquid to explode, so process soup in smaller quantities to ensure smooth, safe blending.
- Temperature Control Matters: Gentle reheating prevents cream separation and maintains the soup’s silky texture, ensuring a luxurious final presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg