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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Mexican-Style Corn with Chili and Lime (Esquites)

4 Servings

30 minutes

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To make esquites, a popular type of Mexican street food, corn is typically roasted or grilled, then the kernels are simmered with an herb called epazote before being finished with crema (Mexican sour cream), mayonnaise, lime, chili and cotija cheese. The slightly brothy mix is served in cups and eaten with a spoon. Our version of esquites is based on the recipe Jorge Fritz and Beto Estúa taught us at Casa Jacaranda cooking school in Mexico City. Epazote has a unique flavor and aroma that are difficult to mimic. The herb is not widely available in U.S. supermarkets; Fritz and Estúa suggested a combination of fresh parsley and basil, so that’s what we call for in our recipe. Plump, tender kernels cut from ears of fresh corn are the first choice for making esquites, but in non-summer months, an equal amount of frozen corn kernels that have been thawed and patted dry will work; they’ll just take a little longer to brown.

4

Servings

Tip

Don’t stir the corn for the first minute it’s in the skillet. Undisturbed cooking allows the kernels to begin to develop flavorful browning and caramelization.

30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1

    tablespoon grapeseed or other neutral oil

  • 4

    cups fresh corn kernels (from about 5 ears corn) or frozen corn, thawed and patted dry

Directions

Reviews
Nicole V.
August 30, 2026
Bowl licked clean!
Best version of Mexican Street Corn I’ve made. It was devoured. Enjoyed the parsley/basil combination!
CHARLES S.
March 26, 2026
Really, really good
What a great recipe that's easy to prep in advance and enjoy at a party, picnic, potluck, etc. I'm saving this one for exactly that reason, but will continue to enjoy it at home as well! I used some smoked paprika on mine, and happened to have feta on hand so subbed that. The recipe seems very flexible, and I agree with others who either tried cilantro or suspect it might be very good, even just as a garnish at the end. Lots of ideas to try with this one going forth.
William L.
September 26, 2025
Esquites in a bowl
I was able to source pure dried epazote leaf from yerberoshop. com. I used 1 teaspoon in step 2 and omitted the parsley and basil. Nice floral almost medicinal but it a good way.
Lief E.
April 9, 2024
Best corn ever
Everyone loved it
Lief E.
March 26, 2024
Mighty Tasty Esquites!
Best recipe I’ve found for this dish. Many are overly cloying.

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