How to make Mexican street corn with shrimp

This Mexican street corn recipe is based on the flavors of traditional street corn, but it’s an off-the-cob recipe.

The history of corn in North America

Humans can take direct credit for bringing us the vegetable we know today as corn. It is believed that corn was developed by people living in central Mexico more than 7000 years ago.

But it was nothing like the corn we know today. It was developed from a wild grass called teosinte. The kernels were small and not close together like those of modern corn. 

Then, about 1000 years ago, indigenous people brought corn to South and North America.

What’s the nutritional value of corn?

Corn is a good source of insoluble fiber and a great source of potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Since it isn’t an animal product, it’s cholesterol-free.

Corn is a versatile vegetable

When we think about eating corn, we usually think about kernels on or off the cob and all the ways to cook them and use them in recipes.

But many other products are made from corn, like tortillas, tortilla chips, polenta, cornmeal, corn flour, corn syrup, and corn oil.

Corn can be “hulled” in a treatment process that removes the hull or shell. Then, what’s left can be used as hominy for making polenta or grits or dried and ground into corn flour called masa for making tortillas and tamales.

Types of corn

Corn comes in many types and varieties. It’s a good idea to learn the different types—I’ve seen people sneak to steal corn from the field.

If they only knew that it was dent corn or field corn, they would have known that it would be tough and unpleasant to eat.

Dent corn

Dent corn is field corn. It’s usually grown as grain for livestock. When it’s dried, dents form in the corn because of the type of starch in the kernels, hence, its name.

Flint corn

Flint corn is highly colored corn, mostly used as harvest decorations. Similar to dent corn, it’s not eaten.

Sweet corn

The summer corn where I live is mostly yellow, yellow and white, called butter and sugar, or all white, often called Silver Queen or sweet corn.

Popcorn

Popcorn is its own special type. It has a different size, shape, starch level, moisture content, and characteristic hard shell.

When the kernel is heated, pressure builds up in the moisture inside, and that hard shell pops.

What is Mexican street corn?

Elote is probably what most people think of when they think of Mexican street corn. Elote is made by grilling an ear of corn and topping it with toppings like butter, chili powder, mayonnaise, and cotija cheese.

It gets its name—and becomes the ultimate mobile food—because it’s made by street vendors in Mexico and served on a stick for eating on the go.

How to make Mexican street corn with shrimp

This Mexican street corn recipe has the same great flavors but adds protein from shrimp and extra flavor from cilantro.

Enjoy it warm or cold!

Since this is a soft, spicy food, it would be good to serve it with something crispy and cold, like a simple cucumber, tomato, and red onion salad with balsamic vinegar.

Try this fire-roasted corn soup and easy fire-roasted salsa.