Inside: Learn how to make these delicious and authentic Mexican esquites, which are one of the most popular street foods in Mexico. They are inexpensive to make and taste great!
Para Espanol, Haz Click Aqui.
Esquites are one of the most popular street foods in Mexico. They are delicious and are almost always present at gatherings with friends and at birthday parties.
Growing up, we used to make esquites with freshly cut corn at my grandparent’s ranch in Mexico. We loved helping to cut the corn because we got to use the corn to make tamales, elotes (street corn), and of course these delicious esquites that you are going to love!
These are prepared in a similar manner to elotes and they have similar ingredients. The difference is that with elotes you eat it right off the cob, whereas with equites, you can mix it all together in a cup and eat it with a spoon, nice and hot!
This delicious street food is so popular in Mexico that you will likely see it in street stands, food trucks, and at other restaurants when you explore Mexico. Even though it has basic ingredients, everyone adds their special touch and makes them slightly different. There are different ingredients added sometimes and they even have different names in different parts of Mexico.
What Are Esquites?
You may be asking at this point, what are esquites? Well, they are a delicious Mexican street food that uses corn kernels as the principal ingredient. Some versions adds additional flavor by using a broth as well as the accompaniments which include mayonesa, lime, cotija cheese, and chili powder.
The name means “toasted corn” and you always make changes depending on your tastes.
How Do You Make Esquites?
Like I mentioned above, the way you make esquites depends on the Mexican state where you are located and the ingredients that you have available. In some versions, one of the important ingredients is called “epazote”, which is a fresh herb that creates great flavors when you boil it. It is easy to find all over Mexico, but in the United States you may have to look a little bit harder. You can buy them online here though.
In Mexico we say “a falta de pan tortillas”, or “if you don’t have bread, use tortillas”, which means that if you are missing something you need find something similar to replace it.
The most common way to serve esquites is in disposable cups and something about that just makes them irresistible.
Esquites are best eaten hot, but you can eat them cold as well. It all depends on what you like. Regardless of how you eat them, I am sure that you will love it!
Let me know in the comments below.
Check Out These Other Mexican Street Foods
- Authentic Mexican Street Corn Recipe (Elotes Mexicanos)
- Smoked Pork Taquitos Smothered In Salsa Verde
- How to Make Authentic Mexican Tamales
- Quick and Easy Mexican Sope Recipe with Chorizo and Potato
- Tacos Al Pastor Recipe
Mexican Esquites
Ingredients
- 6 Cups White Corn Kernels
- 1/2 white onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 3 tbsp butter
- Salt to taste
- Epazote optional
- 5 Cups Water
Accompaniments
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese
- 1/2 cup Mexican crema
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- lime juice to taste
- hot sauce or chile powder to taste
Instructions
- Start by adding the butter, onion and garlic to a frying pan and cooking until the onion is translucent.
- Add the corn kernels and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Add the water, the epazote and the salt and let boil for 20 minutes.
- Serve in paper cups and add the accompaniments, stirring well. Serve hot!
Nutrition
Christy
Sunday 11th of June 2023
Because it’s fresh corn season, cooking for the advised amount of time will make it less sweet. The rest of the recipe is great, just char the corn for a couple minutes per side and enjoy!
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
If I am using fresh corn on the cob, do I slice the kernels off the cob first or after they are cooked?
Diana
Monday 1st of May 2023
This recipe is almost good, except for the cotija… crumbled queso fresco works better for this recipe.
jose
Tuesday 27th of September 2022
where can I find kernels?
Sunday 30th of October 2022
@jose, Costco has the frozen white corn on sale right now.
Liv
Tuesday 30th of August 2022
Does all the water cook off? Or is it supposed to be like a soup?
Maria
Saturday 10th of September 2022
@Liv, both. It's up to you. People in Mexico often choose to eat like hot soup but sometimes we prefer just the corn with mayo, cheese and chili powder.