Description
Spicy “jalapeño popper Mexican street corn” brings fiery southwestern charm to classic street food. Crispy, creamy corn combines zesty jalapeños and rich cheese for an irresistible side dish you’ll crave at every summer gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn:
- 4 ears of corn, husked
Cheeses and Dairy:
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cotija cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
Flavor Enhancers and Garnishes:
- 2 jalapenos, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped cilantro and lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the grill to a medium-high temperature, ensuring even heat distribution across the cooking surface.
- Carefully coat each corn ear with a light layer of olive oil, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Position the corn on the grill, rotating periodically to achieve an even charred exterior with beautiful caramelized spots.
- While corn is grilling, create a vibrant and creamy mixture by combining cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, cotija cheese, finely diced jalapenos, minced garlic, fresh lime juice, and a balanced blend of salt and pepper.
- Whisk the cheese mixture until it reaches a smooth and consistent texture, allowing the flavors to meld together harmoniously.
- Once the corn develops a golden-brown complexion and reaches optimal tenderness, remove from the grill.
- Generously coat each warm corn ear with the zesty jalapeno cheese spread, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle crispy bacon fragments across the corn, adding a savory crunch to the dish.
- Dust the corn with additional crumbled cotija cheese for an extra layer of tangy flavor.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, providing a bright and herbaceous finishing touch.
- Serve immediately alongside lime wedges, allowing guests to enhance the corn’s flavor with a citrusy squeeze.
Notes
- Char your corn carefully to develop deep, smoky flavors without burning the kernels.
- Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeño seeds for a milder version or keeping them for extra heat.
- Use turkey bacon or omit bacon entirely for a vegetarian-friendly option that still delivers incredible flavor.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to make grilling and assembling this dish quick and effortless during summer gatherings or cookouts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg