Mexican Street Corn Soup is a warm, creamy twist on the beloved street food classic, elote. This flavorful soup brings together sweet corn, smoky poblano peppers, tangy crema, and bold spices like chili powder and paprika for a rich and comforting experience in every spoonful. Topped with cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime, it’s hearty enough for a meal and easy enough for a weeknight dinner—all made in one pot in under an hour.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
6 cups fresh corn kernels (or 2 12-oz bags frozen corn)
1 medium onion, diced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium poblano pepper, seeded and diced
1–2 tsp chili powder, to taste
1 tsp Mexican oregano
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground cumin
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream
½ cup cotija cheese, plus more for garnish
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional garnishes: sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, lime wedges

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, melt olive oil and butter. Add corn and onion, sautéing for 8–10 minutes until onion is translucent and corn is lightly charred.
Stir in garlic, poblano, chili powder, oregano, paprika, and cumin. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove 1 cup of the mixture and set aside for garnish.
Pour in chicken broth, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20–25 minutes.
Remove from heat and blend the soup to your desired texture using an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender.
Stir in heavy cream, Mexican crema, and cotija cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with reserved corn mixture, sliced jalapeños, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Nutrients (Per Serving – Approximate)

Calories: 390
Protein: 9g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 570mg
Cholesterol: 60mg
Calcium: 150mg
Vitamin C: 35mg

Inspired by the Classic Elote

Elote, or Mexican street corn, is a staple of street vendors across Mexico. Traditionally served on the cob and coated in a mixture of mayonnaise or crema, chili powder, lime juice, and crumbly cotija cheese, elote is beloved for its complex flavor profile that hits every note: sweet, salty, smoky, tangy, and spicy.

Mexican Street Corn Soup takes these familiar flavors and transforms them into a spoonable experience that doesn’t skimp on authenticity or intensity. It’s not just inspired by elote—it’s a warm, creamy homage to the original, reimagined for the soup bowl.

A Celebration of Corn in Its Most Comforting Form

Corn is undeniably the star of this soup. Fresh kernels offer sweetness and slight crunch, while frozen corn works just as well for convenience without sacrificing flavor. Sautéing the corn until it’s lightly charred deepens its natural sweetness and brings out a subtle smokiness that plays beautifully with the soup’s spices and creamy elements.

The result is a base that feels both indulgent and rustic, with corn shining through every bite. Whether you blend it until silky smooth or leave it a little chunky for texture, the corn remains at the heart of this satisfying dish.

Smoky Heat from Poblano Peppers and Spices

The soup gains depth and complexity from the addition of poblano peppers—a staple in Mexican cuisine known for their mild heat and smoky undertone. When diced and sautéed, poblanos bring warmth and flavor without overwhelming the dish. Combined with spices like chili powder, paprika, cumin, and Mexican oregano, they infuse the soup with a well-rounded, earthy spice profile that’s flavorful rather than fiery.

The layering of spices here is key: each one contributes to the dish’s complexity, from the heat of chili powder to the fragrant punch of cumin. It’s a flavor combination that turns simple ingredients into something memorable and rich.

Creamy, Tangy, and Rich in Every Spoonful

What sets this soup apart is its luxurious texture. Heavy cream, blended corn, and Mexican crema (or sour cream) come together to create a thick, velvety consistency that coats the tongue and warms the body. It’s indulgent without being overly heavy, thanks to the balancing effect of lime juice and the sharp tang of cotija cheese stirred in at the end.

The use of crema and cheese doesn’t just add richness—it delivers that unmistakable tanginess and saltiness that gives elote its signature flavor. Stirring them in at the end of the cooking process ensures that the dairy remains smooth and emulsified, and adds a silky finish to the soup.

Perfectly Balanced with Bright Toppings

Just like its street food counterpart, Mexican Street Corn Soup is all about the garnishes. A sprinkle of extra cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a generous squeeze of lime elevate the flavor with brightness and contrast. Sliced jalapeños or hot sauce can bring an extra kick, while crispy tortilla strips or crushed chips add a crunchy counterpart to the creamy base.

These toppings not only make the soup visually appealing but also let each person customize their bowl to suit their tastes. It’s a fun and flexible way to enjoy a deeply flavorful dish that feels just as exciting as it does comforting.

Easy One-Pot Preparation for Any Day of the Week

One of the reasons this soup is so beloved is its simplicity. It’s made in one pot, requires minimal prep, and comes together in under an hour. That makes it ideal for busy evenings when you want something warm and flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen.

You can use frozen corn to save time, skip roasting the poblano if you’re in a pinch, and adjust the level of heat to suit your family’s preferences. Despite how rich and layered the final dish tastes, the process is surprisingly straightforward—just the way comfort food should be.

Versatile for Meal Prep or Entertaining

Mexican Street Corn Soup isn’t just a weeknight winner—it also works beautifully for entertaining. It can be made ahead of time and reheats well without losing flavor or texture. In fact, letting it sit in the fridge overnight actually enhances the taste, as the spices meld and intensify.

It’s also ideal for meal prep. Portion it into containers and top with cheese and cilantro just before serving for a week’s worth of satisfying lunches or easy dinners. You can even freeze it in batches and pull it out on chilly nights when only a hot bowl of something special will do.

Vegetarian-Friendly and Easily Customizable

This soup is naturally vegetarian when made with vegetable broth and offers all the protein and heartiness you’d expect from a more meat-forward dish. For those who want to add a bit more protein, it pairs well with shredded rotisserie chicken, chorizo crumbles, or black beans stirred in before serving.

You can also make it vegan by swapping in coconut milk for the cream and a dairy-free cheese alternative, while keeping all the bold flavors and creamy consistency that make the soup so special.

Nutritious Without Compromising Flavor

While this soup feels indulgent, it also offers plenty of nutritional value. Corn provides fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins like B6 and folate. Poblano peppers add vitamin C and a touch of metabolism-boosting capsaicin. The addition of fresh herbs and lime juice increases antioxidant content and enhances digestion.

When balanced with healthy fats from cream and olive oil, the result is a dish that nourishes without sacrificing flavor. It’s comfort food with purpose—designed to make you feel good inside and out.

Conclusion: A Bold, Cozy Dish That Captures the Spirit of Elote

Mexican Street Corn Soup is more than just a clever twist on a popular street snack—it’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and warmth in a bowl. From the sweetness of charred corn to the smoky poblano peppers, creamy base, and vibrant toppings, it offers something special in every spoonful.

Whether you’re cooking for your family on a weeknight, impressing friends at a dinner party, or simply craving something bold and cozy, this soup delivers. It honors the spirit of traditional elote while transforming it into a comforting, satisfying meal that’s as fun to eat as it is to prepare.

Serve it hot, load it with garnishes, and enjoy the flavors of Mexican street food in a whole new way—right from your kitchen.

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