Description
Hearty slow cooker Mexican street corn soup delivers authentic Mexican flavors in a comforting bowl. Creamy corn, zesty spices, and tangy cotija cheese combine for an irresistible meal you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (600g) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 4 cups (1 L) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ cup (60 g) crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
- ¼ cup (60 g) sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Additional cotija cheese
- Tortilla chips or strips
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Flavor Foundation: Merge corn kernels, onion, garlic, broth, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne into the slow cooker. Thoroughly blend these ingredients to create a harmonious flavor base.
- Slow Simmer: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. This extended cooking time allows corn to soften and spices to deeply infuse the liquid, developing a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Texture Transformation: Utilize an immersion blender to craft the soup’s consistency. For those preferring textural contrast, partially blend, leaving some whole corn kernels to provide rustic charm and visual interest.
- Creamy Finale: Incorporate heavy cream, sour cream, and lime juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then allow the soup to warm for an additional 15 minutes, enabling the creamy elements to harmonize seamlessly.
- Elegant Presentation: Ladle soup into serving bowls. Crown with crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips and lime wedges, encouraging diners to personalize their culinary experience with a citrusy twist.
Notes
- Boost Corn Flavor: Roast corn kernels briefly before adding to slow cooker to enhance natural sweetness and deepen smoky undertones.
- Control Spice Intensity: Adjust cayenne and chili powder gradually, tasting as you go to prevent overwhelming heat while maintaining authentic Mexican flavor profile.
- Texture Optimization: Use immersion blender strategically – pulse in short bursts to achieve desired soup consistency without over-processing corn’s natural texture.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for lactose-intolerant individuals, maintaining rich, creamy mouthfeel while keeping the soup’s authentic character intact.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 60mg