Description
Inspired by the flavors of Mexican street corn (elote), this creamy and flavorful soup combines sweet corn, aromatic spices, tangy lime, and salty cotija cheese into a comforting dish that’s perfect any time of year. A delicious blend of smooth and chunky textures offers a uniquely satisfying experience that highlights traditional Mexican street food in a warm bowl.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Melt Butter: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until fully liquefied, setting a flavorful base for the soup.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add Corn and Spices: Pour in the corn kernels along with the chicken or vegetable broth, then add chili powder and smoked paprika; stir to combine evenly.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Blend Soup: Remove about half of the soup and blend it until smooth, then return it to the pot to achieve a creamy yet textured consistency with some whole corn pieces remaining.
- Add Cream and Lime Juice: Stir in the heavy cream and fresh lime juice to enhance richness and brightness.
- Season: Taste the soup and add salt and black pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish generously with crumbled cotija cheese and chopped fresh cilantro for an authentic finish.
Notes
- Add diced jalapeños if you prefer extra heat in your soup.
- Queso fresco is a great alternative to cotija cheese if you want a milder flavor.
- Serve with crunchy tortilla strips on top to add texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
