Mexican Street Corn Soup: 5 Irresistible Flavor Wins

Mexican Street Corn Soup brings the bold flavors of elote into a comforting bowl. You’ll taste sweet corn, tangy lime, smoky spice, creamy texture, and fresh herbs. This soup feels vibrant and homey at the same time.

Whether you want to warm up on a cool evening or enjoy summer produce in soup form, this recipe will deliver.

WHY MAKE THIS MEXICAN STREET CORN SOUP RECIPE

• It captures the spirit of Mexican street corn (elote) in a cozy, slurpable form.
• You can prepare it in one pot, with manageable prep time.
• It works year-round, using fresh, frozen, or canned corn.
• It’s flexible: vegetarian, creamy, or lighter depending on ingredients.
• It makes enough to share or enjoy leftovers.

HOW TO MAKE MEXICAN STREET CORN SOUP

You will build flavor Mexican Street Corn Soup in stages: sauté aromatics, add corn and spices, simmer in broth, blend part, stir in cream & tang, finish with garnishes.

This approach gives you both a creamy base and bits of texture from whole kernels.

INGREDIENTS

Here is a solid base Mexican Street Corn Soup ingredient list. You can adjust amounts to your taste or availability.

• 4 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 poblano pepper (or jalapeño), diced
• 4 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
• ½ to 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lime
• Cotija cheese or queso fresco, for garnish
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Optional: tortilla strips, crushed tortilla chips, diced jalapeño

DIRECTIONS STEP BY STEP

1. Sauté Aromatics and Toast Spices

• Heat a large pot (or Dutch oven) over medium heat.
• Add a small amount of oil (about 1–2 tablespoons) to the hot pot.
• Sauté the onion, garlic, and poblano (or jalapeño) in the oil. Stir them frequently until they are soft and fragrant, which should take about 3–5 minutes.
• Add the chili powder and cumin to the pot.
• Stir constantly and toast the spices with the vegetables for about 30 seconds. This step deepens their flavor. Be careful not to let them burn.
• Add the corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned) to the pot. Stir to coat them thoroughly with the toasted spices.

2. Simmer the Mexican Street Corn Soup Base

• Pour in the broth (chicken or vegetable).
• Bring the liquid to a simmer.
• Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and let the soup cook for 8–10 minutes. This allows the flavors to fully meld together.

3. Purée and Finish the Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Turn off the heat.
• Purée about half of the Mexican Street Corn Soup using an immersion blender right in the pot. Alternatively, scoop half the soup into a standard blender, purée until smooth, and then return it to the pot. The goal is to leave the remaining half of the soup chunky for texture.
• Stir in the cream (or half-and-half) and the lime juice.
• Heat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup is warmed through. Do not let the soup come to a boil once the cream has been added, as it may curdle.
• Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed by adding extra salt, pepper, or a dash of hot sauce or cayenne if you want more spice.

4. Serve Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Ladle the hot soup into individual Mexican Street Corn Soup bowls.
• Top each serving with your desired garnishes, such as crumbled cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, crunchy tortilla strips, or thin slices of jalapeño.

NUTRITION AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS NOTE BY NOTE

• Corn provides fiber, vitamins (especially B vitamins), and natural sweetness.
• Cream or dairy adds richness but also saturated fat. Use moderate amounts or lighter versions as needed.
• Using vegetable broth keeps it vegetarian. Using chicken broth or adding shredded chicken adds protein.
• Spices like chili powder and cumin add flavor without calories.
• Lime juice adds acidity and vitamin C.
• Garnishes like cotija cheese or tortilla strips add sodium and fat; use sparingly if you watch those.
• You may reduce cream and increase broth if you prefer a lighter soup.

HOW TO SERVE MEXICAN STREET CORN SOUP

• Serve warm in soup bowls.
• Offer extra lime wedges on the side for brightness.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese.
• Add a handful of tortilla strips or crispy tortilla chips for texture.
• Serve with warm corn tortillas or crusty bread.
• A side salad with fresh greens balances the richness.

HOW TO STORE MEXICAN STREET CORN SOUP

• Let cool before storing.
• Store in airtight containers in the fridge. Use within 3 to 4 days.
• Reheat gently on stove over low to medium heat, stirring so it doesn’t scorch.
• You can freeze some (cream soups may separate slightly on thawing). Thaw in fridge, then reheat slowly, stirring.
• If separation occurs, stir vigorously or add a splash of broth or milk.

TIPS TO MAKE IT BETTER

Tips and Notes: Your Kitchen Companion

• Char or roast some corn kernels before adding to deepen flavor (smoky side).
• Use fresh corn when possible (in season), but frozen or canned work fine.
• When blending, don’t overblend. You want some bits for texture.
• Warm cream slightly before adding so it blends smoothly.
• Adjust spice levels gradually add more chili or jalapeño if you like heat.

Details

• If soup is too thick, thin with extra broth or milk.
• If too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce a bit.
• For extra depth, add a hint of smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
• If using chicken, shred it and stir in after blending.

Variation (if any)

• Chicken version: add cooked shredded chicken
• Vegetarian / vegan: use vegetable broth and substitute cream with coconut milk or dairy-free cream
• Spicy twist: add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce
• Green version: add roasted poblanos, or use roasted green chiles

Notes

• This recipe is more inspiration than rigid formula.
• Adjust proportions to taste and ingredient availability.

MEXICAN STREET CORN SOUP FAQS

CONCLUSION

Mexican Street Corn Soup is a warm and lively way to enjoy elote flavors in soup form. It offers a balance of sweetness, creaminess, tang, and spice. You can adapt it to your dietary needs and make it your own.

Try this Mexican Street Corn Soup when you want a quick, satisfying soup that feels like a fiesta in a bowl.