Mexican Street Corn Soup Recipe

This Mexican Street Corn Soup transforms the beloved street food classic into a warm, comforting bowl of deliciousness. With charred corn, creamy texture, and zesty seasonings, this soup captures all the vibrant flavors of Mexican street corn (elote) in each spoonful. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying yet simple to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredible Flavor Profile: The combination of sweet charred corn, tangy lime, creamy cotija, and smoky spices creates an absolutely mouthwatering soup that’s impossible to resist.
• Simple Ingredients: Uses straightforward ingredients that pack a serious flavor punch without requiring a special trip to specialty stores.
• Versatile Texture: The partial blending technique gives you both smooth creaminess and delightful corn kernel bites in every spoonful.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone from kids to adults will love this soup – it’s the perfect balance of familiar comfort and exciting flavor.
• Quick Preparation: From start to finish in just 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something homemade and special.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Vegetable Oil: Creates the base for charring the corn and cooking the aromatics, helping develop those crucial flavor compounds.
• Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic foundation that balances the richness of the other ingredients.
• Fresh Corn Kernels: The absolute star of the show – fresh corn delivers superior sweetness and texture. Don’t even think about using canned corn here!
• Salt & Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances all the other flavors in the soup.
• Ancho Chili Powder: Brings a mild, fruity heat that’s characteristic of authentic Mexican cuisine.
• Chipotle Seasoning: Adds that irresistible smoky depth that makes this soup special – don’t skip this!
• Garlic: Provides that essential savory note that ties all the flavors together.
• Vegetable Broth: Creates the soup base while keeping the dish vegetarian-friendly.
• Cotija Cheese: This crumbly, salty Mexican cheese is traditional in street corn and adds authentic flavor.
• Sour Cream: Creates the creamy texture and adds a pleasant tanginess.
• Cilantro: Brightens everything with its fresh, herbal notes.
• Lime Juice: That crucial acidic punch that makes all the flavors pop and brings authenticity.

Variations

Protein Additions

Add shredded rotisserie chicken or crispy bacon bits for a heartier version that can serve as a complete meal.

Spice Level Adjustments

Dial the heat up by adding a diced jalapeño with the onions or a dash of your favorite hot sauce before serving. For milder palates, reduce or omit the chipotle seasoning.

Dairy-Free Option

Substitute the sour cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of cotija cheese for a surprisingly delicious dairy-free alternative.

Seasonal Adaptations

When fresh corn isn’t in season, use frozen corn kernels (about 2 pounds) – just ensure you get a nice char on them for that essential flavor.

How to Make Mexican Street Corn Soup

Step 1: Char the Corn and Aromatics

Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, corn kernels, salt, pepper, ancho chili powder, and chipotle seasoning. Cook until corn develops some charred spots, about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. This charring is crucial for that authentic street corn flavor!

Step 2: Add Aromatics and Liquids

Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the vegetable broth, cotija cheese, and sour cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

Step 3: Blend Partially

Remove 2 cups of corn from the soup and set aside. Using an immersion blender, blend the remaining soup until smooth. If you’re using a regular blender, work in batches and be extremely careful with the hot liquid – never fill your blender more than halfway with hot soup!

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Return the reserved corn kernels to the blended soup for texture contrast. Stir in fresh chopped cilantro and lime juice just before serving to preserve their bright flavors.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Corn Selection: For the sweetest flavor, choose corn with bright green husks that feel slightly damp. The silk should be golden and sticky, not dry or black.
• Charring Technique: Don’t stir the corn constantly – let it sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes at a time to develop those delicious charred spots.
• Blending Safety: When using a standard blender for hot soup, fill it only halfway, remove the center cap from the lid, and cover with a clean kitchen towel to allow steam to escape.
• Seasoning Balance: Always taste before serving and adjust lime juice, salt, and spice levels to your preference. The flavors should be bold!
• Corn Cutting Hack: Stand the corn cob in the center hole of a Bundt pan and cut downward – the kernels will fall into the pan instead of scattering everywhere.

How to Serve

Perfect Garnishes

Serve this soup topped with extra cotija cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro leaves, diced avocado, and a lime wedge for squeezing. A light sprinkle of chili powder on top adds a beautiful color and flavor boost.

Ideal Accompaniments

This soup pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad and warm tortillas or crusty bread for dipping. For a more substantial meal, add a side of black bean and corn quesadillas.

Beverage Pairings

Enjoy with a chilled Mexican lager with a lime wedge, a classic margarita, or a refreshing agua fresca for a complete Mexican-inspired meal experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This soup keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve after a day as they meld together!

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the blended soup without the reserved corn kernels, cilantro, and lime juice. Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. When reheating, add fresh corn kernels, cilantro, and lime juice to brighten the flavors.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup seems too thick after storage, thin it with a splash of vegetable broth or water. Add a fresh squeeze of lime juice after reheating to revive the bright flavors.

FAQs

Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh corn?
Absolutely! While fresh corn delivers the best flavor, frozen corn works wonderfully too. Use about 2 pounds of frozen corn and make sure to let it char well in the pan to develop that essential roasted flavor. Don’t thaw it first – add it straight from the freezer to the hot pan.

What can I substitute for cotija cheese?
If you can’t find cotija cheese, feta makes an excellent substitute with its similar salty, crumbly texture. For a milder option, try queso fresco. In a pinch, a mixture of grated parmesan and a touch of salt will work too.

Can I make this soup ahead for a party?
This soup is perfect for make-ahead entertaining! Prepare the soup through the blending stage up to 2 days ahead, but reserve adding the whole corn kernels, cilantro, and lime juice until just before serving. Reheat gently and add the final ingredients for the freshest flavor.

Is there a way to make this soup thicker or thinner?
For a thicker soup, blend more of the corn and reserve less, or add a diced potato with the corn. For a thinner consistency, simply add more vegetable broth until you reach your desired thickness. The soup will naturally thicken slightly as it cools.

Final Thoughts

This Mexican Street Corn Soup brings all the joy of eating elote from a street vendor right to your dinner table, minus the mess! It’s a brilliant way to showcase summer corn when it’s at its peak, but thanks to the option of using frozen corn, you can enjoy these sunny flavors all year round. The balance of sweet, smoky, tangy, and creamy elements makes this soup truly special. Whether you’re serving it for a casual family dinner or as a starter for a Mexican-themed gathering, this recipe is sure to earn you rave reviews!

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