This Healthy Mexican Street Corn is a simple and delicious way to enjoy summer’s abundance! Fresh sweet corn is grilled and topped with the classic ingredients in Street Corn: cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro, and garlic. This recipe is a great side dish for any summer meal!
As you may know, I love to grill. See here, or especially here for evidence of that.
And while I’m a firm believer that “grilling season” should rightfully be a year round thing, something changes when temperatures drop and summer comes to an end.
For starters, the sun goes down at like 3 p.m. (I’m being dramatic obviously, but work with me).
Temps no longer break the 80 degree threshold, which, while it may sound like some version of hell to stand over a sweltering grill to some, it always makes the food that much more worth it (and the ice cold dranks that much better).
And of course, the variety of fresh produce that’s readily available for enjoyment drastically decreases as the sun sets on summer.
Did I give you enough reasons to frantically run out to your grill and fire her up?! Fab. You can start with this recipe which highlights one of the most coveted summer vegetables: sweet corn.
This is my healthy take on a popular summer recipe. Most Mexican Street Corn recipes call for the corn to be slathered in mayo.
MAYO.
While these options are undoubtedly delicious (and traditional), I like to opt for lighter fare in the summer months. Not only does fresh summer produce need next to nothing to taste delicious, but my waistline appreciates it, too. Sweet corn is beautiful and my favorite with a little butter and salt, but I wanted to jazz things up a bit with this recipe.
My version includes a light brush of butter, bright cilantro, tangy cotija cheese, and a mixture of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and (gasp!) ghost chili powder. Proceed with caution.
I’m telling you. This corn was insaaaane. Or, in my husband’s words, “This is the best corn I’ve had in my entire life”. His words you guys….not mine.
But, I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. Let me know what you think!
Healthy Mexican Street Corn
Ingredients
- 4 Ears of corn
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp cilantro chopped
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/8 tsp ghost chili powder
- 1/4 cup cotija cheese (or feta)
Instructions
- Heat grill to 500 degrees.
- Remove the silk from the corn, peeling away a few of the exterior husks. Re-wrap the corn in its husks.
- Grill corn indirectly for 20-25 minutes, until corn is bright yellow.
- Lightly brush corn with butter. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder in small bowl. Sprinkle corn with spice mixture.
- Top corn with cotija cheese and cilantro.