Name: Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 cobs); 1 4oz can diced green chilis, drained and rinsed (use hot chilis for more heat); ⅓ cup sour cream; ½ cup cotija cheese; ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped; 2 Tbsp red onion, finely chopped; 1 jalapeno, deseeded & finely chopped; 1 small garlic clove, minced; 1 lime, juiced; 1 tsp chili powder; ½ tsp salt

There’s something incredibly addictive about a rich, creamy dip that brings a pop of fresh corn, spice, and tang all at once. This Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe is exactly that—a vibrant, flavorful dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself grabbing the tortilla chips non-stop!

A round white bowl is filled with a colorful mix of yellow corn kernels blended with green herbs and white cheese crumbles, sprinkled with a light dusting of red spice for a pop of color. The textured mix shows small bits of creamy sauce holding the ingredients together. Three lightly speckled yellow tortilla chips are partially dipped into the mix on the bowl's left side and front, with more chips scattered around on a light wooden board beneath the bowl. In the background, a plate with halved lime wedges and some chopped green herbs can be seen on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This dip always feels special yet so easy to whip up, which is why I keep it in my go-to repertoire for game days or casual get-togethers. The balance of creamy, cheesy, tangy, and a little kick from jalapenos makes it a crowd-pleaser every time.

Simplicity meets flavor: You don’t need a million ingredients or complicated steps to impress everyone with this dip.
Fresh, vibrant ingredients: Using fresh corn elevates this dip to something truly delicious and slightly sweet.
Customizable heat levels: You can easily adjust the jalapeno and chilis to suit your spice tolerance.
Great for any occasion: Whether it’s a party, potluck, or just a weekday snack, this dip fits right in.

A white bowl filled with a colorful corn salad sits on a wooden board covered with many yellow tortilla chips speckled with black seeds. The salad has bright yellow corn mixed with green herbs and small bits of white cheese sprinkled on top. A few tortilla chips are dipped into the salad, sticking out from the side of the bowl. Around the board, there are lime wedges in a white bowl on a white marbled surface and a small wooden bowl with chopped green herbs. The scene looks fresh and inviting with a mix of textures and colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe brings its own magic, coming together to create layers of flavor and texture that are truly irresistible. Here’s why I stick to these basics—and a few shopping tips to get the best of each.

Flat lay of fresh golden corn kernels, bright green chopped cilantro, small piles of crumbled white cotija cheese, finely diced red onion, a split green jalapeno pepper with seeds removed, a halved lime showing its juicy interior, a small clove of garlic, and a can of diced green chilies arranged in neat clusters, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Fresh corn kernels: Fresh is best for that natural sweetness and slight crunch, but frozen or canned work nicely if fresh isn’t available.
Diced green chilis: I love using hot chilis for an extra kick, but mild ones work too if you’re spice-sensitive.
Sour cream: Adds creaminess and tang that balances the sweetness of the corn perfectly.
Cotija cheese: It’s salty and crumbly, providing that authentic Mexican street corn feel; feta makes a fine substitute.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is a must for that bright, herbaceous note that wakes up your taste buds.
Red onion: Adds just the right amount of sharpness and crunch when finely chopped.
Jalapeno: Deseeded to your heat preference, this pepper adds a lovely punch.
Garlic: A little goes a long way in deepening flavor layers without overpowering.
Lime juice: The acid brightens all the rich flavors and keeps the dip fresh.
Chili powder & salt: Perfect seasoning to bring out the best in every ingredient.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’ve played around with this Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe a bunch of times, and what I love most is how easy it is to tweak for your own kitchen vibe. You can turn up the heat or keep it mellow, and I’ve tried adding a bit of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky twist.

Variation: Once I tossed in some crumbled chorizo on top for a meaty addition that was a hit at my last party—gives it a whole new level of decadence.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Corn to Perfection

First, heat a large pan over medium-high and spritz it with cooking spray. Once the pan’s hot, toss in your fresh corn kernels and sauté them until they’re tender and start to get lightly browned—usually about 2-3 minutes. This step is what gives the dip a lovely roasted sweet undertone. Keep an eye here; stir occasionally so that the corn browns evenly without burning. Once done, transfer the corn to a large mixing bowl and set it aside.

Step 2: Mix in All the Flavorful Goodies

Next, add the diced green chilis, sour cream, cotija cheese, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, and salt directly to the bowl with your warm corn. Stir everything together really well until the sour cream is fully blended in and the dip looks creamy and irresistible. I always taste it at this point—sometimes I add a little extra lime juice for brightness or a handful more cilantro for freshness. This is your moment to make this dip truly yours.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve Immediately

Sprinkle additional cotija cheese on top for that extra cheesy punch, then serve your Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe straight away with crunchy tortilla chips. The contrast between the creamy dip and crispy chips is pure joy. Also, serving it fresh ensures you get the best flavor and texture in every bite.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that take this dip from great to absolutely unforgettable. These tips have saved me from some common pitfalls and made the process so much smoother.

Don’t skip sautéing the corn: It might be tempting to toss everything together cold, but giving the corn a quick sauté adds a caramelized sweetness that makes a world of difference.
Adjust spice carefully: Start by adding jalapeno seeds sparingly—once mixed, you can always add more if needed.
Use fresh lime juice: Bottled lime juice just can’t compete; fresh lime brightens the dip perfectly.
Chill briefly if needed: If you want to prepare ahead, chill the dip for 15 minutes to let flavors marry but serve at room temperature for best texture.

How to Serve Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe

Mexican street corn dip - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I love to finish this dip with an extra sprinkle of cotija cheese and a handful of fresh cilantro leaves on top. Sometimes, I add a dusting of smoked paprika or a few thin lime wedges on the side for folks who want a little extra zing.

Side Dishes

This dip pairs beautifully with simple sides like guacamole, fresh pico de gallo, or a bowl of crunchy tortilla chips. For a more filling spread, I like setting it alongside grilled chicken or a vibrant salad to balance out the creaminess.

Creative Ways to Present

At parties, I’ve served this dip inside hollowed-out mini bell peppers or in a mini bread bowl for a fun twist. Layering it in a clear glass dish lets the bright colors pop, making it an eye-catching centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The dip holds up well for up to 3 days, though it’s best enjoyed fresh. Before serving again, give it a good stir and let it sit at room temp ~15 minutes so it’s creamy again.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my favorite for this dip because the texture of sour cream and cheese can change after thawing, becoming a little grainy. If you must freeze, do so in small portions and thaw slowly in the refrigerator.

Reheating

For reheating, I recommend warming the dip gently in a microwave for short bursts—30 seconds at a time—stirring in between. Adding a splash of sour cream or lime juice after reheating can help refresh the flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen or canned corn in this recipe?

Absolutely! If you don’t have fresh corn, frozen or canned corn works well. Just thaw or drain and rinse canned corn thoroughly, then sauté it as you would fresh corn to enhance the flavor.

What’s the best cheese to use if I can't find cotija?

Feta cheese is a great substitute for cotija in this dip. It offers a similar salty and crumbly texture that complements the other ingredients nicely.

Can I make this dip vegan?

To make a vegan version, swap out the sour cream for a plant-based alternative like cashew cream, and use a vegan cheese substitute instead of cotija. You can still keep all the other fresh ingredients the same for full flavor.

How spicy is this dip, and can I adjust it?

This dip has a mild to moderate heat level, primarily from the jalapeno and green chilis. You can always remove the seeds from the jalapeno to tone down the heat or add more jalapeno if you like it spicy. Adjust to your preference!

Final Thoughts

I’ve made the Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe countless times, and it’s always a win. There’s something about this combo of sweet corn, tangy cheese, fresh lime, and a little spice that feels like a mini celebration in every bite. I genuinely hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—consider it a new staple for your snack rotation!