Esquites (Mexican Street Corn in a Cup)
Esquites are authentic Mexican street food: corn kernels stewed with chile and epazote, served warm in a cup with lime, mayo, crema, cotija, and chili powder. This easy version uses hominy for that real Mexican corn flavor.
6 people
Calories: 92kcal
Ingredients
For the corn
- 2 tablespoons butter I use vegan butter
- 1 chile serrano diced (remove veins and seeds for less heat)
- 4 cups cooked hominy drained (canned or cooked from dry pozole corn)
- 2 cups water
- 2 sprigs epazote
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
For serving
- Vegan mayonnaise homemade with aquafaba or regular mayo
- Fresh lime juice plus lime wedges
- Chili powder about 1 teaspoon per serving (Tajín or another Mexican chili mix)
- Mexican crema
- Cotija cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the chile. In a pot over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the diced serrano. Add the hominy and stir.
- Simmer. Add the water, salt, and epazote. Stir and bring to a boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Serve. Spoon the corn with a little of its broth into small cups. Finish with lime juice, a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise, and chili powder. Add crema and cotija if you like. Eat warm, with a spoon.
Notes
- Epazote is key for authentic flavor. If you can't find it, you can leave it out or use a little cilantro, but it won't be quite the same.
- Why hominy? Mexican corn is white and not sweet; hominy is the closest match in the US (shoepeg corn also works if you can find it).
- My favorite way: just salt, lime juice, and chili powder. Serve warm, never cold, esquites are not a corn salad.
- Storage: keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, or freeze in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat gently before serving.
- Make it vegetarian: finish with cotija or queso fresco (the traditional way); the base recipe here is vegan.
Nutrition
Serving: 250g | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg