Grilled Chili Lime Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Ribs

Name: Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Ribs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 Corn Cobs; 1 cup Bloody Mary Mix (or Tomato Juice); 3 Tablespoons Chili Lime Seasoning (or to taste); ⅓ cup Mayonnaise; ⅓ cup Sour Cream; 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice; ⅓ cup Cotija Cheese (optional); Handful Cilantro (optional)

Grilled Mexican street corn (elote) cob ribs – Smokey grilled corn strips topped with a tangy, creamy lime sauce and salty cotija cheese Perfect Mexican street corn snack for your next backyard BBQ.

A black board of grilled corn ribs. with cilantro on top.

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Mexican street corn is a summertime classic that is simple to cook at home! I personally love serving this side dish during backyard cookouts with family and friends. Everyone always raves about how amazing they are.

This is an easy-to-make grilled street corn recipe that is rich in chili and lime flavor and uses fresh corn, lime juice, and a simple marinade of bloody mary mix before grilling and taking the shape of cute little corn cob ribs and topped with a mayo-based sauce and cojita cheese. The result is something ridiculously good once you make it, you’ll be craving all year long!

If you have an indoor grill and you spot some decent-looking corn during the off-season this Mexican side dish is always a winner! If you don’t have an indoor grill and still need to get your elote fix then you can’t go wrong with my Mexican street corn salad!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Chili Lime (Elote) Corn Rib Recipe

It’s a crowd pleaser! Everyone loves my grilled elote corn ribs because it is brimming with the most delicious Mexican flavors!
The steps in my grilled corn ribs recipe are straightforward. Your next picnic or barbecue will be a hit when you serve this delectable appetizer or side dish.
Elote is an excellent side dish to go with any protein dish. It goes well with any main Mexican dish or BBQ.

Ingredients For Your Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Ribs

Ingredients you need to make Mexican street corn ribs.

Corn Cobs
Bloody Mary Mix (or Tomato Juice)
Chili Lime Seasoning
Mayonnaise
Sour Cream
Lime Juice
Cotija Cheese
Cilantro

How To Make A Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Ribs

Turn on your BBQ or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Cut off the ends of each cob of corn, then cut the corn in half length-wise. Cut the corn again in have length-wise so that each cob of corn is quartered. (Photo 1)
Place the corn in a casserole dish and cover with bloody mary mix. Toss to coat completely, then season corn with 2 Tablespoons chili lime seasoning. (Photos 2 & 3)
Once the grill is hot, place the corn ribs directly on the grill and cook until charred, about 8-10 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until charred on the other side and corn starts bending to look like a rib (slight arch shape) (Photo 4)

Collage of creating sour cream and mayonnaise mixture.

While the corn is grilling, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and lime juice. Set aside. (Photos 5 & 6)
Once corn is fully cooked, drizzle with the mayonnaise-sour cream mixture and sprinkle with additional chili lime seasoning, cilantro and cojita cheese, as desired.

Grilled corn ribs with chili lime seasoning topped with sour cream and mayonnaise mixture.

What to Serve/Pair with Your Elote Corn Ribs

Listed below are my top recommendations for side dishes and beverages that pair well with Grilled Mexican Street Corn Ribs at a BBQ cookout:

Grilled corn ribs drizzle with mayonnaise and sour cream mixture.

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Ribs FAQs

Is Elote the same with Esquites?

Griddled corn from Mexico is referred to as Elotes or Esquites. The main difference between elotes and Esquites is that elotes are served whole, while Esquites are the kernels removed and served in a cup. Both dishes come with a choice of garnishes.

Can I use Air Fryer?

Yes, you can make Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Ribs using an Air Fryer. Each corn riblet should have a thin layer of butter or oil applied to it. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer with the riblets when you put them in there. Fry for up to 15 minutes until browned and crispy. You can also deep fry them or use an oven.

Can I Make This Elote Recipe Diary-Free?

You sure can! If You want to substitute vegan Mayo for the mayo in this recipe you can. That would make it not only dairy-free but vegan!

Other Mexican Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

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Sliced grilled corn drizzled with a mayonnaise-sour cream mixture on a black board.

5 from 1 vote

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Ribs

Author: Kim Schob

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 20

These chili lime Mexican corn ribs are grilled to perfection and topped with classic elote toppings, including cojita cheese. They are perfect for BBQs and fiestas alike!

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Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 4 Corn Cobs
▢ 1 cup (236 ⅗ g) Bloody Mary Mix or Tomato Juice
▢ 3 Tablespoons Chili Lime Seasoning or to taste
▢ ⅓ cup (74 ⅔ g) Mayonnaise
▢ ⅓ cup (76 ⅔ g) Sour Cream
▢ 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
▢ ⅓ cup (50 g) Cotija Cheese optional
▢ Handful Cilantro optional

Instructions

Turn on your BBQ or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Cut off the ends of each cob of corn, then cut the corn in half length-wise. Cut the corn again in have length-wise so that each cob of corn is quartered.
Place the corn in a casserole dish and cover with bloody mary mix. Toss to coat completely, then season corn with 2 Tablespoons chili lime seasoning
Once the grill is hot, place the corn ribs directly on the grill and cook until charred, about 8-10 minutes, then flip and continue to cook until charred on the other side and corn starts bending to look like a rib (slight arch shape)
While the corn is grilling, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and lime juice. Set aside.
Once corn is fully cooked, drizzle with the mayonnaise-sour cream mixture and sprinkle with additional chili lime seasoning, cilantro and cojita cheese, as desired.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2Corn Ribs Calories: 75kcal (4%) Carbohydrates: 6g (2%) Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 6g (9%) Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 7mg (2%) Sodium: 74mg (3%) Potassium: 137mg (4%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 804IU (16%) Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 26mg (3%) Iron: 1mg (6%)