What to Eat with Mexican Street Corn

So you picked up some Mexican street corn at the farmers market, but you don’t know what to eat with it…

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you want a light, fresh meal or a warming, hearty one, we’ve got a main dish that pairs perfectly with this delicious side.

See Also: 22 Best Mexican Vegetable Side Dishes

What to Eat with Mexican Street Corn (24 Easy Dishes)

Mexican street corn (also known as elotes) is a popular dish that includes corn, mayo, cheese, and spices.

Many people who enjoy Mexican street corn while they’re out at a restaurant or market don’t know that it’s important to serve certain foods with it.

First of all, Mexican street corn pairs well with chicken, pork, and beef dishes.

Serving the corn with these meats helps to make the meat’s flavor more complex and interesting.

Also, you should pair Mexican street corn with spicy foods.

The creaminess of the dressing can help to cool down your mouth if you’ve eaten something too hot.

Finally, it’s a good idea to pair this dish with acidic foods such as tomatoes or lime juice.

The acidity will help balance out the flavors in Mexican street corn.

If you’re still looking for ideas, keep scrolling!

1. Tacos

A taco is an easy Mexican dish that can be made with a wide variety of ingredients, and can be served hot or cold.

Tacos are a great way to customize your meal to suit your guests’ tastes.

They’re also really fun!

2. Enchiladas

Enchiladas are a delicious way to add some spice to your meal.

They are made from corn tortillas rolled around fillings such as cheese and meat, then covered in sauce and baked.

If you want to make them less spicy, try substituting sour cream for the sauce, or adding some cilantro on top!

3. Burritos

Burritos are another Mexican dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients.

You could serve them hot or cold (the latter option means no cooking time!).

They’re great for parties since everyone gets their own personalized burrito filling options—and they keep well as leftovers too!

4. Nachos

Nachos are a popular Mexican dish that consists of chips (usually tortilla chips) topped with cheese and sometimes other toppings like salsa or guacamole.

The chips can be baked in the oven until the cheese melts or simply warmed in the microwave if you’re in a hurry!

You can also buy pre-made nachos in most grocery stores these days so that all you have to do is add your favorite toppings for an easy weeknight dinner solution.

5. Corn tortillas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzKuWBDDLPg

If you’re looking for a lighter option, corn tortillas are the way to go.

Just mix up some masa flour with water and salt to make your dough.

Roll out small discs and cook on a hot griddle until they start to brown on both sides.

Then fill them up with veggies and salsa for an easy lunch or dinner!

6. Chiles Rellenos

This dish is made by stuffing poblano peppers with ingredients like cheese, meat, and vegetables.

It’s then fried in egg batter and served hot.

This dish is very filling and flavorful—perfect for when you need something indulgent after a busy day!

7. Tamales

Tamales are another Mexican classic!

They’re steamed in corn husks, which gives them a distinct flavor and texture that pairs well with the sweet corn in this side dish.

Just be sure to make plenty because they go fast!

Chicken Tamales

The best part about chicken tamales?

They’re great for sharing!

Which makes them perfect for parties or potlucks.

8. Chili

Chili is another classic dish that can be made in many different ways.

It’s super comforting and makes for great leftovers—you can even freeze it for future meals!

Just like tacos, chili is customizable so you can add any ingredients that suit your fancy.

9. Chili Colorado

This is a popular Mexican dish made with chunks of beef that are braised in a sauce made from dried chiles and spices.

It’s great in burritos, but when served alongside Mexican street corn, it becomes a meal that’s seriously hard to beat!

10. Carne Asada

Carne asada refers to grilled meat that has been seasoned and marinated in lime juice, cilantro, and often garlic and other spices.

It’s typically served with rice and beans on the side—but why not swap out the rice for some corn?

We recommend serving it with roasted potatoes for a nice balance of flavors.

1. To make this recipe, simply marinate some steak in lime juice and seasoning, then grill it.
2. Top it off with some pico de gallo or salsa and serve alongside your street corn.

11. Empanadas

Empanadas are a popular appetizer in Latin America, but they also make for a great main course when accompanied by Mexican rice and street corn.

See Also: The 11 Best Sauces for Empanadas

The best part is that they’re super easy to make!

You can find pre-made empanada dough in most grocery stores, so all you need to do is fill them with whatever meat or veggies you like and bake them.

12. Mole Poblano

Mole poblano is a traditional Mexican dish made from chili peppers and chocolate.

It can be served over chicken or pork as well as rice or beans.

It has a rich flavor and a spicy kick, so watch out for those chili peppers!

You can find mole poblano in almost any grocery store now—try it out tonight!

13. Huevos Ranchero

Huevos rancheros is another simple dish that is perfect for breakfast or as an easy weeknight dinner.

It’s also super customizable—you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand!

Just make sure to fry up your tortillas first in some oil before assembling them into stacks of eggs, beans and sauce.

And if you’re feeling fancy: sprinkle some cheese on top of those eggs before broiling them in the oven until golden brown.

14. Tortas

These sandwiches are packed with creamy pinto beans and beef round steaks, plus that tangy pickled jalapeno flavor that your street corn will complement perfectly.

Like most good sandwiches, these tortas are easy to prep. You’ll just need to let your beans simmer for half an hour or so and sear the beef in a skillet while they’re cooking.

Once they’re both ready, it’s just a matter of layering meat, beans, and pickled jalapenos on some bread and topping it all off with sour cream and queso fresco.

Here’s a tip for making this meal work: If you want to make things easier on yourself and save time during the week, cook your beans in advance and keep them in the fridge for up to a week before assembling your tortas.

15. Chilaquiles

If you’re looking for something hearty and filling, go for chilaquiles.

This dish is made by frying corn tortillas in oil and then covering them in salsa verde (a green salsa), cheese, onions, and cilantro.

Serve them along with refried beans and Mexican street corn for a complete meal!

16. Flautas

We love flautas with Mexican street corn, because they’re so light and fresh.

The crisp tortillas and fresh flavors of the chicken, pico de gallo, and queso fresco complement the creamy corn perfectly. This is a great weeknight meal, because you can make it in under an hour.

You can also make these flautas vegetarian by omitting the chicken—just take off about 10 minutes of total cooking time.

These are our 3 tips for making this meal work:

• Don’t skip the sour cream! It gives this dish its signature creamy texture.
• If you don’t have rotisserie chicken on hand, you can substitute any cooked chicken breast that has been seasoned well with salt and pepper.
• Queso fresco is a mild white cheese that doesn’t melt easily. You can substitute feta or mozzarella if desired, but you’ll want to serve right away since these cheeses will start to melt as soon as they hit the heat.

17. Alambres (GRILLED Beef Skewers)​

Alambres are the perfect way to treat yourself on a special night in.

These grilled beef skewers can be prepared quickly and easily—and they taste so good!

Best of all, they pair perfectly with Mexican street corn because what other side do you serve grilled meat on?

So go ahead and treat yourself to this tasty main course.

18. Posole Rojo

This traditional Mexican soup is delicious and filling—the perfect option for those who prefer something more substantial in the evening.

It’s also really easy to make!

Just cook the chicken or pork slowly in a pot until it’s tender, then add everything else and simmer for a few hours before serving.

19. Fideo Soup

Fideo soup is a tomato-based soup that contains noodles or rice and spices like chili powder and cumin.

It’s very simple to make and doesn’t require much preparation beforehand.

You can use chicken broth instead of tomato juice if you’d like, but I find the tomato juice gives the soup a nice acidity that complements the sweetness of the corn nicely.

20. Fajitas

Fajitas are another super easy dish that are only improved by the addition of Mexican street corn.

You could serve this on flour tortillas or wrap it in iceberg lettuce for a lighter meal!

Either way, fajitas and Mexican street corn are sure to be a winning combination in your kitchen.

21. Birria

If you’re looking for a warming main dish to pair with your Mexican street corn side dish, look no further than birria.

This hearty stew is full of tender beef chuck roast simmered in a deep and flavorful broth until the meat shreds easily and the liquid reduces into a thick sauce that clings deliciously to the meat and any tortillas or rice you serve it alongside.

22. Pozole

This famous Mexican stew is full of beautiful flavors and textures—and it makes for a perfect way to spend the evening when paired with Mexican street corn!

The warm spices in the pozole really play well against the bright corn flavor in the Mexican street corn—it’s truly a match made in heaven.

23. Shrimp Ceviche

This refreshing dish is light and bright and tastes amazing on hot summer days.

It’s perfect for pairing with Mexican street corn because it delivers just the right amount of umami flavor to bring the sweetness of the corn out even more!

24. Ahi Tuna Ceviche

Ahi tuna ceviche is tangy and fresh—a great foil to the heavy flavors of Mexican street corn.

For this recipe, thinly slice raw ahi tuna and toss in lime juice for about five minutes until the meat turns white (the acidity from the lime actually cooks the fish).

Add chopped avocado and red onion and serve with a side of Mexican street corn for an easy weeknight meal!