Dairy-Free Mexican Street Corn, also known as Elote, is a delicious way to enjoy grilled corn all spring and summer long! The sweet corn is grilled in the husk and topped with a creamy homemade sauce, fresh cilantro, and feta cheese.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🍴Ingredient Notes
• 🍴Step by Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• How to store leftovers
• Recipe Card
• Want more recipes?
• 💬 Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you're looking for a healthy side dish to make, Mexican Street Corn is always a crowd pleaser! The sweet, juicy grilled corn is slathered in a homemade creamy sauce, fresh cilantro, and dairy-free feta cheese.

This dish is popular on Cinco de Mayo, but it can be enjoyed as a side with a variety of recipes!

You'll love that this recipe is easy to prepare, made with simple ingredients, and great for serving at summer picnics or parties.

🍴Ingredient Notes

• Sweet Corn - You will need 6 whole ears of corn for this recipe. (Feel free to make more!)
• Dairy-Free Feta - I used the brand Miyokos and it was delicious! You can also nutritional yeast to get a "cheesy" flavor.
• Mayo - I used Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo.
• Fresh Lime Juice - You'll need fresh lime juice for the creamy sauce and extra lime wedges for serving.
• Chopped Cilantro - I use fresh cilantro in the homemade sauce and also as a garnish on the grilled corn.
• Seasoning - For the creamy sauce you'll need, garlic powder, salt, chili powder, and paprika. For an extra kick of spice, add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

🍴Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Corn

Start by peeling back the husk and removing the white fibers. Then peel the husk back over the corn and place in a large casserole dish with water. Repeat with all 6 ears of corn.

Next, let the corn soak for 30 minutes to ensure that it does not catch fire on the grill.

Step 2: Creamy Sauce

While the corn is soaking, add all sauce ingredients into a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Step 3: Grilling

Grill the corn at 375 degrees for 15 minutes on each side.

Step 4: Remove Husks

Remove the corn from the grill and pull back all of the husks. For a charred flavor, grill the corn without the husks for a few minutes on each side. Place the corn on a large plate.

Step 5: Grilled Corn Toppings

Spread a generous amount of the creamy sauce onto each piece of corn. Top with fresh cilantro and feta cheese. Enjoy hot!

Expert Tips

• For grill marks, remove the husks after 30 minutes and cook for a few minutes on each side.
• This dish is best served fresh. Make sure you grill the corn and add the toppings when you're ready to eat!
• Stick a wooden skewer through the bottom of each piece of corn before serving to make it easier to grab and eat.
• To make this recipe spicier, just add about ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper into the creamy sauce or sprinkle some hot sauce on top of the corn before serving.
• Use a silicone brush to add the creamy sauce onto the grilled corn. It's easy to use, and you can throw it right in the dishwasher!
• Meal prep the grilled corn and sauce ahead of time and heat the corn in the air fryer or microwave before serving!

Serving Suggestions

This Mexican corn pairs well with grilled chicken, steak, tacos, fajitas, or taquitos. I also like serving this dish with lime wedges so your guests can add extra lime juice to their corn!

Another great topping for grilled corn is butter! If you're dairy-free, try a vegan butter alternative or use a high-quality grass-fed butter like the one from Kerrygold. Rub the butter onto the hot grilled corn before brushing on the sauce.

It's also a great addition to a Mexican inspired salad! To use grilled corn as a salad topper, carefully cut the corn kernels off with a sharp knife. You can find more details on my Southwest Chicken Salad post.

To make a quick Mexican Street Corn Dip, add the grilled corn into a bowl with the creamy sauce and toss with extra feta cheese, lime juice, diced red onion, and fresh cilantro. Serve with corn tortilla chips!

How to store leftovers

To easily store leftovers, use a sharp knife to cut off the corn kernels and place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

You can also store the corn on the cob in tin foil or reusable storage bags.

More grilling recipes!

After you make this Dairy Free Mexican Street Corn, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!

Recipe Card