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Healthy Grilled Mexican Street Corn

July 7, 2019 (Last updated July 2, 2023) · Nicole Triebe

Take advantage of one of the best crops of the summer – sweet summer corn! I’m putting a better-for-you twist on a favorite side dish of mine with this Healthy Grilled Mexican Street Corn! So easy and flavorful, you won’t even notice it’s better for you!

Brushing oil on corn prior to grilling

I always hear from my friends that they struggle to eat healthy while enjoying summer cookouts!  I have a secret for you: Summer BBQ menus don’t have to include extra calories!  By swapping out just a couple ingredients, you can cut those extra calories in any menu.  I love swapping out butter with Mazola Corn Oil.   Not only is it better-for-you but has a neutral taste that lets those delicious natural flavors of your food stand out! Mazola is an all-purpose, cholesterol free cooking oil that is a smart heart-healthy choice for your family. Perfect for baking, grilling, sautéing, stir frying, or mixing up a marinade or dressing!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that Mexican is one of our favorite cuisines to eat and make at the Dinner Fairy house.  It’s so easy to whip together in thirty minutes or less on a busy weeknight.  I’m always looking for the next delicious side kick for my taco Tuesday, and I think I’ve come up with a tasty one!  For a while now, I’ve been wanting to put a healthy twist on my favorite Mexican side dish – Mexican Street Corn aka elotes!  I’m partnering with Mazola Cooking Oil today to do just that!

How can I make Mexican Street Corn healthier?

Mexican street corn, or elotes, is traditionally made with cooked sweet corn, a good amount of mayonnaise, Mexican crema (or sour cream), chili powder and topped with cheese.  While all of these ingredients sound INCREDIBLE together, they’re not the best news for your waistline.  By swapping out just a couple ingredients, you can slim down this decadent side dish, and feel a little better about wanting it every night of the week! 

Today I’m swapping out both the mayo and butter in the traditional grilled Mexican street corn recipe.
I started by brushing my ears of corn with Cholesterol free Mazola corn oil.  Normally, I’d rub the ears of corn with a good helping of softened butter, but butter adds on lots of calories and fat to any recipe.  Mazola is the perfect substitute.  While your grill is heating up, brush those ears with a little Cholesterol free Mazola corn oil and season with garlic salt and pepper.

prepared corn next to grill

How can I tell my grilled corn is done?

Cooking corn on the grill takes about 15-20 minutes.  Keep the grill closed, and open to turn the ears every 5 minutes or so, to ensure each side gets a char.   You’ll know when it’s done when you can pierce the corn kernels with a sharp knife.

grilled corn with toppings on platter

Can I cook my corn in the oven?

If you don’t have a grill, you can easily roast your ears of corn in an oven! Pre-heat it to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with tin foil.  Bake for 20 minutes, flip and set the timer for another 20 minutes! No sweat!

finished healthy grilled mexican street corn

While the corn is grilling, combine the following in a small bowl:

3/4 cup greek yogurt

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup cotija cheese (set aside extra for topping)

1/2 tsp Tajin seasoning, (set aside extra for topping)

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, (set aside extra for topping)

Juice of one lime

Once the corn is done grilling and cooled slightly, brush the greek yogurt mixture over the top of the ears of corn.  Top with additional cheese, Tajin seasoning and cilantro!

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Quinoa Avocado and Black Bean Salad

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Healthy Grilled Mexican Street Corn

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  • Author: Nicole Triebe
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Scale

4 ears of sweet corn

3/4 cup greek yogurt

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup cotija cheese (set aside extra for topping)

1/2 tsp Tajin seasoning, (set aside extra for topping)

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, (set aside extra for topping)

Juice of one lime

For the sauce:

3/4 cup greek yogurt

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup cotija cheese (set aside extra for topping)

1/2 tsp Tajin seasoning, (set aside extra for topping)

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, (set aside extra for topping)

Juice of one lime


Instructions

Preheat the grill on high.

Brush each ear of corn with Mazola Cooking Oil.  Season with salt and pepper

Cook corn on the grill without husks for about 15-20 minutes.  Keep the grill closed, and open to turn the ears every 5 minutes or so, to ensure each side gets a char.

The corn will be done when you can pierce the corn kernels with a sharp knife.

While the corn is grilling, combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl:

Once the corn is done grilling and cooled slightly, brush the greek yogurt mixture over the top of the ears of corn.  Top with additional cheese, Tajin seasoning and cilantro.


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Healthy Grilled Mexican Street Corn

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