Lazy Slow Cooker Mexican Corn On The Cob

Name: Lazy Slow Cooker Mexican Corn On The Cob
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 6 ears fresh corn on the cob; ½ cup water; ¼ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup sour cream; ½ cup cotija cheese (grated parmesan cheese or feta cheese work too. ); 1 tbsp. lime juice; ½ tsp. chili powder; ¼ tsp. cumin powder; ¼ tsp. garlic powder; paprika ((optional) ); fresh cilantro ((optional) )

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Slow cooker Mexican corn on the cob is a delicious treat! Sweet corn slow cooked to perfection then slathered with a creamy, tangy, next level sauce. The perfect side dish!

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📝Shopping list
🌽Preparation method
🍽Serving suggestions
Storing leftovers
😉Hints & hacks
❓FAQ's
📖 Recipe

This version of traditional Mexican street corn will grab your attention from the very first bite! It is a copycat of the elote (corn) sold by Mexican street vendors. Using your crockpot is a super easy way to add this dish to any family dinner or fun occasion.

📝Shopping list

To make this delicious corn on the cob recipe, you will need:

4- 6 corn ears - husks and silk removed
½ cup water
¼ cup mayo - I use light, but any kind will work
¼ cup sour cream - I use reduced fat, but that is optional
½ cotija or grated parmesan cheese - Cotija is the most authentic option, but parmesan cheese is much more readily available where I live.
1 tbsp. lime juice - fresh lime juice is always best, when possible.
½ tsp. chili powder
¼ tsp. cumin powder
¼ tsp. garlic powder

exact quantities can be found in the recipe card below

All corn ingredients on a table with labels

🌽Preparation method

To make crock pot corn, start by removing the husk. Try to remove as much of the silk as you can from each ear of corn as well. (Silk are those long shiny "hairs" that are under the corn husk).

Next, pour water into bottom of your slow cooker. Place corn inside of the crock pot and cook on high for 2-3 hours. My corn is generally finished in about 2 hours of cooking time.

multiple ears of corn in slow cooker with water being added

While corn is cooking, mix mayo, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cumin powder and garlic powder together in a bowl. Set aside in the refrigerator.

mixing elote dressing togetther in a bolw

When corn is cooked, it will be very hot. Tongs would be the best way to remove them from your crockpot. Carefully hold each piece of corn and use a spatula to spread your refrigerated topping mixture fully over kernels.

An ear of Mexican street corn being dressed

Finally, sprinkle each corn cob with the grated/crumbled cotija or parmesan cheese and dig in!

🍽Serving suggestions

Fresh herbs, such as chopped cilantro are great sprinkled on top of your corn. Additional spices such as fresh ground black pepper, paprika or chili powder also make amazing toppings and add delicious flavor. Lime wedges are great served along side your corn for those who want to add some fresh squeezed tang.

two elote on a white tray with lime wedges and cilantro

Slow cooker corn is perfect served along side any BBQ. It is also great with slow cooker Mexican food dishes such as chicken tacos, fajitas or shredded beef chili.

Storing leftovers

Leftover crockpot corn can be wrapped in individual sheets of aluminum foil. It will store well in the refrigerator for several days.

You can easily reheat individual ears of corn in the oven microwave or oven. But, a cold ear of corn on a hot day is one of my favorite treats. Corn that does not have dressing on it will store and reheat best.

two coooked ears of corn hot out of the slow cooker

😉Hints & hacks

The best corn is always corn that is in season. I love buying it from a local farmer's market when possible. However, this recipe can take any ear of corn to the next level - any time of year!
Slow cooker liners are an optional but helpful hack whenever using a crockpot. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy mine in bulk for a better per-piece price.
In the market for a new slow cooker? Here is my current favorite.
Corn will be very hot when it is cooked. Tongs are the perfect way to safely remove it from your slow cooker.
This is a messy meal! Corn holders can help to tame the mess a bit.
Although this recipe call for cotija cheese, I generally use parmesan as it is easier to find where I live.

More great side dishes

❓FAQ's

Should ears of corn be wrapped in foil when cooking?

They can be. However, when cooked in a slow cooker, this is not a necessary step.

How can I tell when my corn is finished cooking?

Finished corn will have plump and full kernels that pierce easily when poked with a sharp knife tip.

📖 Recipe