Zesty Mexican Street Corn Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Memories of bustling street markets in Mexico flood my senses when I whip up this vibrant Mexican street corn soup.

Sweet, charred kernels dancing with smoky spices in a creamy broth that hugs your bowl.

street vendors inspire this recipe, blending traditional flavors with modern comfort.

Peppers and lime add a zesty kick that makes each spoonful sing with excitement.

Fresh cilantro sprinkles a bright green promise across the surface, beckoning you to dive in.

Seasonal corn transforms this simple soup into a celebration of summer’s bounty.

This recipe promises a delicious journey that will transport you straight to the heart of Mexican cuisine – so grab a spoon and let the adventure begin!

Why Mexican Street Corn Soup Packs Big Flavor In Every Sip

• Burst with Authentic Mexican Flavors: Dive into a soup that captures the vibrant, zesty essence of Mexican street corn with a perfect blend of smoky spices, creamy texture, and tangy lime.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe to your taste by adjusting spice levels, using different types of broth, or making it vegetarian-friendly with simple ingredient swaps.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Whip up this restaurant-worthy soup in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that impresses without demanding hours in the kitchen.
• Textural Symphony in a Bowl: Enjoy a luxurious soup that balances smooth, creamy base with chunks of corn, creating a delightful mouthfeel that keeps every spoonful interesting and satisfying.

What You’ll Need For Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Corn Kernels: Sweet and core ingredient, fresh corn provides best flavor, frozen or canned work as convenient alternatives.
• Butter: Provides rich foundation for sautéing, helps develop deep corn flavor.
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Creates soup liquid base, adds depth of flavor.

• Onion, Garlic, Jalapeño: Classic Mexican flavor base, adds layers of warmth and slight heat.
• Cumin, Smoked Paprika: Essential spices bringing authentic Mexican street corn profile, adds smoky and earthy undertones.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasoning for balancing overall taste.

• Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: Adds creamy richness and tangy complexity, creates smooth soup texture.
• Lime Juice: Bright acid that lifts and balances flavors, provides fresh counterpoint to creamy base.
• Cotija Cheese, Cilantro, Green Onions: Traditional Mexican street corn garnishes, adds texture and fresh flavor.
• Chili Powder or Tajin: Optional spicy topping, enhances overall Mexican street corn experience.

How To Make Mexican Street Corn Soup Easily

Step 1: Unleash the Corn Magic

Grab fresh corn and slice kernels off the cob with a sharp knife. If using frozen or canned corn, drain and rinse thoroughly. Heat a large pot and melt butter over medium flame. Toss corn kernels into the pot and sizzle for 5-7 minutes until they develop a light golden hue.

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundations

• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Diced jalapeno

Cook the mixture for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften. Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and let the spices dance for 1-2 minutes until their aroma fills the kitchen.

Step 3: Liquid Love Infusion

Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pot. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer and let it bubble away for 10-12 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle and marry.

Step 4: Smooth Operator Technique

• Heavy cream
• Sour cream
• Lime juice

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra lime juice.

Step 5: Dress to Impress

• Crumbled cotija cheese
• Chopped cilantro
• Chili powder or Tajin
• Sliced green onions

Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra zesty kick.

Pro Tips For Creamy Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Corn Selection Matters: Choose sweet, fresh corn for the most vibrant flavor, or use high-quality frozen corn as a convenient alternative.
• Creamy Texture Trick: Blend partially to keep some whole corn kernels for a rustic, satisfying texture that mimics authentic Mexican street corn.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use vegan cheese to create a delicious plant-based version of the soup.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust jalapeño amount to match your heat preference, removing seeds for milder flavor or adding extra for more kick.
• Garnish with Flair: Top with extra toppings like crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, or a drizzle of hot sauce to elevate the soup's visual and flavor profile.

How To Store Mexican Street Corn Soup Without Losing Taste

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cream-based soup might slightly separate, so whisk gently before reheating.
• Microwave: Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Stovetop: Pour soup into a saucepan, reheat over medium-low heat. Stir constantly to prevent scorching and restore creamy consistency. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup seems too thick.
• Avoid Freezing: Cream-based soups tend to separate and lose texture when frozen, so it's best to enjoy this Mexican Street Corn Soup fresh or refrigerated.

Top Pairings For Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Pair with Crisp Mexican Lager: Grab a cold Corona or Modelo Especial to complement the soup's spicy and creamy profile. The light, refreshing beer cuts through the richness and enhances the corn's sweetness.
• Match with Zesty Appetizer Sidekick: Serve alongside street-style elote (grilled corn on the cob) or crispy quesadillas. These classic Mexican bites echo the soup's flavors and create a vibrant culinary experience.
• Enhance with Tangy Lime Margarita: A classic margarita with fresh lime juice perfectly balances the soup's creamy texture. The citrusy cocktail brightens the dish and adds a festive Mexican touch to your meal.
• Complement with Fresh Avocado Salad: Create a light side salad with diced avocados, red onions, and a simple lime vinaigrette. The cool, creamy avocado provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, spicy soup.

Ways To Switch Up Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Spicy Fiesta Corn Soup: Add more diced jalapenos or a splash of hot sauce for extra heat. Mix in diced roasted poblano peppers for a smoky flavor profile that elevates the soup's complexity.
• Creamy Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth. Incorporate roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash for added depth and nutrition. Top with crispy tortilla strips for extra crunch.
• Seafood Coastal Remix: Stir in chunks of fresh shrimp or crab meat during the final simmering stage. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of chipotle cream sauce. Serve with warm, crusty bread for a coastal-inspired meal.
• Vegan Mexican Corn Delight: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of cotija cheese. Add grilled corn kernels on top for extra texture and smoky notes.

FAQs About Mexican Street Corn Soup

• What makes this Mexican Street Corn Soup different from regular corn soup?

This recipe captures the authentic street corn flavor by using signature ingredients like cotija cheese, lime juice, and spices like smoked paprika and cumin, transforming a basic corn soup into a vibrant, zesty dish that celebrates Mexican street food traditions.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth, and the recipe remains completely delicious and authentic. The core flavors come from the corn, spices, and garnishes, which are already vegetarian-friendly.

• Is this soup spicy?

The soup has a mild to moderate heat level from the jalapeño and optional chili powder. You can easily control the spiciness by removing jalapeño seeds or reducing the amount of pepper used. For those who love extra kick, add more chili powder or Tajin when serving.

• How nutritious is Mexican Street Corn Soup?

This soup is surprisingly nutritious, packed with corn’s natural vitamins and minerals. It provides good protein from dairy ingredients, offers complex carbohydrates, and includes antioxidant-rich spices that boost overall nutritional value.

Mexican Street Corn Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy Mexican Street Corn Soup blends bold flavors of grilled corn, smoky spices, and zesty lime in a comforting bowl. Garnished with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro, this soul-warming soup brings street food magic straight to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 ml) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 4 cups (960 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice (about 2 limes)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish Ingredients:

• ½ cup (125 g) sour cream
• ½ cup (75 g) crumbled cotija or feta cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Chili powder or Tajin seasoning
• Sliced green onions (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare corn kernels by removing from cob or draining frozen/canned varieties. Gently melt butter in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate heat, then introduce corn and toast until achieving a delicate golden hue, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Incorporate diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeño into the simmering mixture. Allow ingredients to soften and release aromatics for 4-5 minutes. Introduce spices including cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, continuing to cook until fragrant.
3. Stream chicken or vegetable broth into the pot, bringing contents to a gentle simmer. Allow flavors to harmonize and develop depth during 10-12 minutes of cooking.
4. Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender, creating a smooth consistency while preserving some corn kernel fragments. Integrate heavy cream, sour cream, and fresh lime juice, carefully balancing flavors and adjusting seasoning as needed.
5. Transfer soup into serving vessels, embellishing with crumbled cotija cheese, freshly chopped cilantro, a dusting of chili powder or Tajin, and thinly sliced green onions. Present accompanying lime wedges for additional zest and personalization.

Notes

• Maximize corn flavor by charring kernels in a cast-iron skillet before adding to the soup for deeper, smokier notes.
• Swap dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream and vegan sour cream to create a dairy-free version that maintains creamy texture.
• Control spice levels by removing jalapeno seeds or using milder peppers like poblano for a gentler heat profile.
• Create a protein-rich variation by adding shredded rotisserie chicken or crispy chorizo crumbles directly into the soup for extra substance and flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 670mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 75mg