This easy vegan elote recipe (aka Mexican street corn) is a must-try during corn season! It combines sweet and crisp corn with creamy Mexican-infused chili mayo, zesty lime, vegan parmesan cheese and cilantro. Great for BBQ gatherings, summer side dishes and potlucks!
Here is a great and fun way to enjoy the end-of-summer vegetable harvest: Vegan Elote!
Elote is Mexican street corn, traditionally grilled and topped with a chili mayo sauce, cotija cheese, and herbs for a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors. This vegan version swaps mayo for vegan mayo and cotija for vegan parmesan, offering a delicious plant-based twist.
Growing up in Quebec, I ate tons of corn, often as the only ingredient in meals. These days, I love experimenting with corn in dishes like mango corn salsa and corn red pepper soup. This vegan elote is a new favorite—packed with flavor, super easy to make, and a perfect summer side or appetizer!
Let me know if you try it! ❤️
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Easy, fast and low-effort recipe, all made in under 30 minutes!
- Fun and different way to enjoy corn
- Very versatile! Cook the corn as you wish and tweak the sauce to your taste
- Full of flavor and pairs well with many dishes
- 100% vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free
🗒 Ingredients notes (+ substitutions)
- Corn: the fresher the better! Super sweet and crisp corn is what you need to make this recipe its very best. Traditional elote recipes use white corn, but sweet yellow corn is great too. You can use fresh corn with the husk on or pre-husked ones too, especially when not during corn season.
- Vegan mayo: you can use store-bought vegan mayo such as the one from Vegenaise, or make your own vegan mayo from cashews for a healthier twist.
- Spices: I used a combination of chili powder and chipotle powder, but you can easily tweak the ratio or omit the chipotle powder altogether if you don't have it. I used regular chili powder, but if you have Ancho chili powder (made with poblano peppers), then use this! It will give a smokier flavor.
- Vegan parmesan: I used my vegan almond parmesan cheese, but for a quicker version, you can also use vegan parmesan cheese from the store (such as this vegan parmesan from Follow your Heart).
⭐️ Full list of ingredients down below in the recipe card!
📝 Variations
- Spices: there is a lot of room for variation with the spices you use, so feel free to experiment. Elote recipes usually include chili powder and chipotle powder, but cumin and paprika (especially smoked paprika) would add lots of amazing flavors. And for a spicier recipe, then add a pinch of cayenne pepper!
- Toppings: customize your elote and garnish with your favorite ingredients! Try garnishing with hot sauce, tajin spices or crushed tortilla chips for a good crunch.
🍽How to make vegan elote
If making it from scratch, then start by prepping the vegan parmesan cheese. I usually make a big batch and keep it in the fridge, so there is always some ready-to-go (best toppings for pasta!).
Cook the corn
Cook the corn as you wish! I typically boil corn as I prefer juicier kernels, plus it is just easier for me that way, but you can also grill corn for a boost in flavor. Once done, let the cobs cool down slightly.
Make the chili mayo sauce
In a medium bowl, add the mayo, chili powder, chipotle powder, lime juice, garlic and salt. Whisk until combined, then taste to adjust the flavor to your preference. Keep in the fridge until ready to use.
Assemble and serve
When ready to serve, spread the sauce over the cobs (use a pastry brush or a butter knife), then garnish with the vegan parmesan and chopped cilantro. You can also sprinkle a little extra chili powder. Enjoy!
⭐️ See the recipe card below for the detailed recipe!
💡Helpful tips
- If you don't have a grill and looking for some charred line and added flavor, then you can first boil the corn and then roast it using your gas oven or a cast iron pan just for a few minutes.
- Make sure to give the cobs some time to cool off before spreading the mayo or it might just melt and drip off the corn. I boiled the cobs, so I simply rinsed them in cold water.
- Serve with a few lime wedges and a small bowl of chipotle powder so you can add an extra zesty or spicy flavor.
- You can use corn on the cob sticks or holders to serve them to keep your hands from becoming too messy.
❗️Storage tips
Once assembled, the corn is best when enjoyed right away. If you are left with extra garnished cobs, then you could consider removing the kernels and transfer to a bowl. The next day, you can enjoy it cold as a vegan elote salad!
❓ FAQs
I do not recommend it, this recipe is best when using fresh and crispy corn!
The best way to reheat your extra vegan elote is to store the cooked corn apart from the leftover sauce. You can reheat the cob for a short time in boiling water, or if in a pinch, you can also use the microwave. Then, spread the sauce over. If you need to reheat a cob that was already garnished, then briefly heat it up using the microwave.
🌱More vegan summer side dishes you might like
📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn
- ⅓ cup vegan mayonnaise
- ½ lime - juiced, or more to taste
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp chipotle powder - optional
- 1 small clove of garlic - crushed
- salt - to taste
- ¼ cup vegan parmesan cheese - homemade (I used this vegan almond parmesan cheese) or store-bought
- ¼ cup cilantro - to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Cook the corn by boiling, steaming or grilling it. Then, let the cobs cool down for a few minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the vegan mayo, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, chipotle powder and salt. Whisk to combine and taste to adjust flavors.
- Spread the sauce over the corn, sprinkle the vegan parmesan over and garnish with cilantro, if desired. Serve with a few lime wedges, enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't have a grill, but you are looking for an added charred flavor and look, then boil the corn and then grill for a few minutes over a gas stove or in a cast-iron pan.
- Make sure to give the cobs some time to cool off before spreading the mayo or it might just melt and drip off the corn. I boiled the cobs, so I simply rinsed them in cold water.
- You can use corn on the cob sticks or holders to serve them to keep your hands from becoming too messy.
- Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving (including the queso sauce) provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.
So yummy and such a fun way to serve corn!