Cast-Iron Mexican Street Corn Cream Cheese Dip

A classic Southern appetizer is a block of cream cheese and a jar of pepper jelly. It's always a winner and a crowd favorite from tailgates to baby showers. Now, bring that block of cheese to another beloved dish: Mexican street corn. The cream cheese is baked until it's warm and scoopable, and the corn and peppers get crisp and juicy in the hot skillet. Dive right into the cream cheese, scoop up some corn, and you have the perfect bite of this crowd-friendly appetizer.

Southern LIving Elote Cream Cheese Spread in the pan ready to serve
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:
12 mins
Total Time:
22 mins
Servings:
8 to 10
ingredients for cast-iron mexican street corn cream cheese dip

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. canola oil

  • 1/2 to 1 tsp. crushed red pepper

  • 3 cups fresh corn (from 3 ears)

  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder

  • 1 (4-oz.) jar chopped pimentos, drained

  • 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese

  • 1/4 cup crumbled cojita cheese

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • Lime wedges and tortilla chips, for serving

Directions

  1. Make oil mixture:

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in a shallow 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. until it reaches 225°F to 250°F, 3 to 4 minutes; transfer to a small bowl. Add crushed red pepper. Set aside.

    Southern Living Elote Cream Cheese adding the red pepper flakes to the oil

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Cook corn:

    Add chili powder and shucked corn in same skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned in spots, 5 to 6 minutes.

    Southern Living Elote Cream Cheese Dip cooking the corn

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Remove pan from heat. Stir in pimentos until combined.

    Southern Living Elote Cream Cheese Dip adding the pimentos to the corn

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Bake cream cheese:

    Nestle cream cheese block in the center of corn mixture.

    Southern Living Elote Cream Cheese adding the cream cheese to the corn mixture

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Bake in preheated oven until cheese is warmed through and lightly golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

    Southern Living Elote Cream Cheese spread after baking the cream cheese

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Add toppings:

    Drizzle corn mixture with oil mixture.

    Southern Living Elote Cream Cheese drizzling the oil mixture over the cream cheese

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Top with cotija cheese and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and tortilla chips.

    Southern Living Elote Cream Cheese Spread after adding the cojita and cilantro

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

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