Elote Style Microwave Corn (Printable Version)

Microwaved corn on the cob topped with creamy lime sauce, Cotija cheese, chili, and fresh cilantro.

# What You'll Need:

→ Corn

01 - 4 ears fresh corn, husked

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
03 - 3 tablespoons sour cream
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

→ Cheese & Seasoning

05 - 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - Lime wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Wrap each ear of corn in a damp paper towel and microwave all together on high for 5 to 6 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender. Let cool slightly.
02 - In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice until smooth.
03 - Carefully unwrap the corn and, while still warm, brush each cob generously with the sauce mixture.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese over the coated corn, pressing gently so it adheres.
05 - Dust with chili powder and smoked paprika.
06 - Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under 20 minutes, which means you can make this on a Tuesday night without any fuss.
  • The microwave does the hard work so your hands stay cool and your kitchen stays cool.
  • That crumbly Cotija cheese and lime juice hit differently when the corn is still warm—the flavors just bloom.
  • No special equipment needed, just things sitting in your fridge right now.
02 -
  • Cold corn won't hold the cheese the way warm corn does—timing your assembly matters more than perfection.
  • The damp paper towel isn't optional; dry microwave corn turns tough and chewy instead of tender.
  • Crumbling Cotija by hand just before using keeps it from packing together into hard clumps on the corn.
03 -
  • If Cotija is hard to find, ask at a Mexican market or order online—it's worth it because it doesn't melt, but if you must substitute, crumbled feta or even a sharp cheddar will work in a pinch.
  • Prep your mayo mixture and have your cheese and cilantro chopped before the corn goes into the microwave so you're ready to assemble the second it's done cooking.
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