Zesty Mexican Street Corn Soup Recipe That Sings With Flavor

Corn kernels dance with zesty spices in this vibrant mexican street corn soup that captures the heart of street food magic.

Smoky, creamy, and bursting with authentic flavors, this soup transports you straight to bustling Mexican markets.

Each spoonful tells a story of bold seasonings and traditional cooking techniques.

Street vendors inspire this comforting bowl that blends sweet corn with rich, layered ingredients.

Jalapeños add a gentle kick while cotija cheese sprinkles a tangy finish.

Fresh cilantro and lime brighten every bite, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

You’ll fall in love with this soul-warming soup that promises to become a weeknight dinner favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Use In Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Corn Kernels: Sweet, fresh kernels bring vibrant Mexican street corn essence to the soup, with fresh or frozen options working perfectly.
• Butter: Enriches corn's natural sweetness and provides a smooth, silky foundation for the soup's flavor profile.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor foundation that adds depth and robust savory undertones to the soup.
• Jalapeño: Introduces a zesty kick and authentic Mexican heat, adjustable to personal spice preference.
• Cumin, Smoked Paprika: Warm, smoky spices that transport the soup's flavor directly to Mexican street food traditions.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that balance and enhance all other ingredients.

• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Creates the liquid base, infusing additional layers of flavor into the soup.
• Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: Transforms the soup into a luxuriously creamy texture with tangy undertones.
• Lime Juice: Bright, citrusy element that cuts through richness and adds refreshing complexity.

• Cotija Cheese, Cilantro, Green Onions: Traditional Mexican street corn toppings that provide texture, freshness, and authentic flair.
• Chili Powder or Tajin: Sprinkled finale that adds extra zest and visual appeal.

Tools Needed For Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Large Pot: Spacious cooking vessel for sautéing and simmering soup ingredients.
• Immersion Blender: Perfect for smoothly blending soup directly in the pot without transferring.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for cutting corn kernels, onions, jalapeños, and garnishes.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tools for adding spices and seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring and sautéing ingredients.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup evenly into bowls.
• Blender (optional): Alternative to immersion blender for pureeing soup.

How To Cook Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Kernel Transformation

The corn becomes golden and fragrant, releasing sweet aromas as it dances in melted butter. Each kernel caramelizes gently, developing rich, deep flavors that will define the soup’s character.

• Flavor Foundation

Onions, garlic, and jalapeños join the corn, creating a vibrant and spicy base. Warm spices like cumin and smoked paprika weave through the mixture, building complexity and depth.

• Liquid Magic

Broth flows into the pot, transforming the mixture into a luxurious liquid landscape. The ingredients simmer and mingle, sharing their unique personalities and creating a harmonious blend.

• Creamy Transformation

With gentle blending, the soup becomes silky and smooth, maintaining small corn chunks for delightful texture. Cream and lime juice add brightness and richness, balancing the robust flavors.

• Final Flourish

Each bowl becomes a canvas of color and taste. Crumbled cheese, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of chili powder create a festive topping that celebrates Mexican street food traditions. Lime wedges invite diners to add a final zesty touch.

Tweak Mexican Street Corn Soup With These Tips

• Dairy-Free Dream: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a luscious, plant-based version that maintains the soup's creamy texture. Nutritional yeast can replace cotija cheese for a vegan-friendly topping that adds rich, cheesy notes.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust jalapeño quantities to match your heat tolerance. Remove seeds for milder flavor or add an extra pepper for more kick. Roasting the peppers beforehand intensifies their smoky undertones.
• Texture Transformation: Want a chunkier soup? Reserve some corn kernels before blending and stir them back in for added bite. For an ultra-smooth version, strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve after blending to achieve silky perfection.
• Protein Power-Up: Transform this into a complete meal by adding shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon bits, or diced grilled shrimp directly into the soup. Black beans make an excellent vegetarian protein option that complements the Mexican street corn flavors beautifully.

Serve Mexican Street Corn Soup Fresh And Hot

• Festive Fiesta Bowl: Transform your soup into a vibrant party in a bowl by adding crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, and a drizzle of hot sauce for extra zest.
• Creamy Corn Bread Companion: Pair the soup with warm, buttery cornbread or crispy jalapeño cornbread muffins to create a hearty and satisfying meal that celebrates Mexican flavors.
• Taco Night Twist: Serve the soup as a unique starter during taco night, accompanied by small tortillas or chips, allowing guests to customize their soup with additional toppings like pickled onions or extra cheese.
• Picnic Perfect Lunch: Pack the cooled soup in a thermos for a delightful outdoor lunch, bringing along extra garnishes in small containers to add freshness and crunch just before eating.

Store Mexican Street Corn Soup For Future Meals

• Batch Cooking Bonanza: Prepare double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Soups freeze beautifully and maintain flavor for up to 3 months.
• Refrigerator Fresh Keeper: Store leftover soup in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Keep garnishes separate to maintain crispness and prevent soggy toppings when reheating.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm soup gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore original consistency if needed. Avoid microwave to prevent separating cream-based ingredients.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop extra cilantro, green onions, and cotija cheese in advance. Store separately in small containers in the refrigerator to quickly assemble soup throughout the week, cutting down on preparation time.

Spicy Mexican Street Corn Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy Mexican street corn soup blends traditional elote flavors into a comforting bowl of goodness. Roasted corn, smoky spices, and tangy cotija cheese create a rich culinary experience you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (960 ml / 32 oz) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 4 cups (960 ml / 32 oz) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 oz) heavy cream or half-and-half
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) sour cream
• ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) crumbled cotija or feta cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Chili powder or Tajin seasoning
• Sliced green onions (optional)

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Instructions

1. Kernel Preparation: Heat butter in a large pot over medium flame. Add corn kernels and toast until achieving a golden caramel tone, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes to develop rich, nutty flavors.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Introduce diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeño into the toasted corn. Incorporate cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, allowing ingredients to meld and release intense fragrant notes for 4-5 minutes.
3. Liquid Transformation: Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pot, bringing mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow ingredients to unite and develop complex flavor profiles for 10-12 minutes, creating a robust base.
4. Texture Refinement: Utilize an immersion blender to transform soup into a velvety consistency, maintaining delicate corn kernel fragments. Fold in heavy cream, sour cream, and fresh lime juice, carefully balancing and adjusting seasoning to create a harmonious flavor profile.
5. Garnish and Serve: Ladle soup into individual bowls, crowning with crumbled cotija cheese, vibrant cilantro, a sprinkle of chili powder or Tajin, and thinly sliced green onions. Accompany with lime wedges to allow personalized zest and brightness.

Notes

• Optimize Corn Sweetness: Select fresh, peak-season corn for maximum natural sweetness and vibrant flavor, ensuring a more authentic Mexican street corn profile.
• Control Spice Intensity: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on personal heat tolerance; remove seeds for milder version or include for extra kick.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Blend soup partially to maintain some corn kernel chunks, creating a rustic and interesting mouthfeel instead of completely smooth puree.
• Dietary Adaptations: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, use vegetable broth for vegetarian option, and replace cotija with nutritional yeast for vegan alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg