Esquites

Mexican Street Corn In A Cup

Mar 06, 2026

When you buy Mexican street corn from a cart in the plaza you have two options for ordering, on the cob called elotes or in a cup called esquites. The cart will always be loaded with toppings for your corn; lime juice, mayonnaise, grated cheese, chili powder, butter, and hot sauce so that you can personalize your cup. In this recipe we’re making esquites, the street corn in a cup. Going to get corn in the plaza is one of our favorite things to do on a weekend evening. Now you can recreate the experience at home.

How to Make

Choosing the Corn.

If you want authentic flavor, you have to prepare this dish with white Mexican corn, elote blanco, not sweet corn. Mexican corn is much firmer, not sweet, and has an earthy, grain like taste. The first time I ate elote blanco I was confused. It tasted nothing like the soft sweet corn that I was used to eating. At first, I wasn’t sure that I cared for it but after a few more tries the taste grew on me. I’ll happily eat it every day now.

Ingredients

To Prepare the Corn:

4 ears Mexican white corn.

1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth.

2 cups water.

2 epazote leaves, (a pungent Mexican herb).

Typical Toppings (All are optional. You mix and match to taste.)

Lime.

Mayonnaise.

Grated cheese, queso fresco.

Chili powder.

Melted butter.

Hot sauce.

Preparation

Start by removing the husks and silk from the corn. Cut off the top and base of the cob. This will make it easier to cut the kernels off the cob.

Remove the kernels from the cob. Hold one end of the cob with your hand and place the other end of the cob on the cutting board. Hold the cob at a 45-degree angle. Use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off and be sure to always cut away from your hands and body.

Place the kernels in a pan.

Add 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth.

Add 4 cups of water.

Add the epazote and salt. Bring the water to a boil then reduce to medium.

Cook until about ⅔ of the liquid has evaporated. If the corn is still too tough for you after the liquid has reduced add 1 cup water and cook until you get the desired texture. Repeat if needed. You want a little bit of liquid to remain. It goes in each cup when you serve.

Serving

Serve your corn warm in a cup and then add the toppings of your choice. My perfect cup is like the one in the photo, just a squirt of lime juice, a pinch of salt, a dab of mayonnaise, a sprinkle of chili powder, and a good squirt of hot sauce.