Delicious Shortcut Elote Cornbread Recipe You’ll Want All Summer!

Every year as summer rolls in, I find myself eagerly agreeing to bring a fancy, chef-inspired dish to every outdoor barbecue I’m invited to. However, without fail, I get sidetracked by irresistible patio drinks or a must-watch episode of The Last of Us, and my elaborate cooking plans fall through.

In these moments, I always revert to my reliable recipe for elote cornbread. It starts with a basic box of cornbread mix, which I enhance with a few simple additions, and I end up walking into the party fashionably late with a dish that consistently earns praise.

Exploring Elote: The Classic Mexican Street Corn

Elote, a popular Mexican street food, involves grilling corn on the cob to a smoky perfection, then slathering it in a creamy sauce made of lime and chili, and finishing with a sprinkle of either crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco.

Having grown up in the Southwest, it wasn’t a proper street fair, swap meet, or carnival without the enticing scent of elote wafting through the air, drawing long lines of people eager for their delicious, charred treat.

Selecting Your Cornbread Mix

My pantry is never without a box of Marie Callender’s Honey Butter Cornbread Mix, which magically produces soft, golden cornbread with just the addition of water. Marie has certainly saved the day on more than one occasion.

That said, feel free to choose any brand you like for this recipe. Just remember to skip the water listed below and use whatever liquids your chosen mix requires.

Alternatives and Variations

• In this recipe, I prefer queso fresco for its creamy texture and mild taste, though cotija or feta cheese are easy swaps.
• If frozen charred corn is unavailable, equal parts of drained, canned fire-roasted corn make a great substitute.
• For those who prefer less spice, leave out the hot cherry peppers or replace them with the sweet pickled variety.
• If you can’t find Tajín Clásico chile-lime seasoning, any similar chile-lime blend will suffice for the crema.

Additional Southwestern Delights

• Chile con Queso
• Southwestern Three Bean Salad
• Ultimate Guacamole
• Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas