Cinco de Mayo Street Corn (Printer-friendly)

A festive dish with roasted corn, melty cheese, and smoky chipotle crema for a flavorful celebration.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
02 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
03 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
05 - 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving

→ Dairy

06 - 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
07 - 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, plus extra for garnish
08 - 1 cup sour cream divided

→ Spices and Pantry

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
14 - 8 medium flour tortillas
15 - 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
17 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
02 - Add diced red onion and jalapeño to the skillet. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and mix in cilantro and Cotija cheese.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sour cream, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt until smooth. Set aside.
04 - Lay out 4 flour tortillas and evenly distribute half of the Monterey Jack cheese over each. Top with the corn mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Place the remaining tortillas on top, pressing gently to secure.
05 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
06 - Slice quesadillas into wedges. Drizzle with chipotle crema and garnish with extra Cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The corn gets this beautiful char that tastes like someone actually cared about coaxing out flavor, not just heating something up.
  • Chipotle crema is smoky and slightly spicy without being overwhelming, so even people who shy away from heat will love it.
  • You can have these ready faster than ordering takeout, which means more time enjoying the meal and less stress in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip the charring step on the corn—it's the difference between corn quesadillas and street corn quesadillas, and that caramelization is what makes people close their eyes after the first bite.
  • If your Cotija cheese is too salty for your taste, rinse it under cold water before crumbling, but most people love it exactly as is.
03 -
  • Keep your skillet or griddle at medium heat—too high and the tortillas brown before the cheese melts, too low and they come out chewy instead of crispy.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, assemble them ahead and cook to order so everyone gets one hot off the griddle.
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