This simple Creamy Elote Dressing is a unique take on the popular Mexican Street food and is one of my favorite ways to add tons of flavor to an Elote corn salad or even pasta salad with sweet corn!
As a dietitian, I truly believe that a good dressing or sauce can make all the difference and can take a good salad to a great salad! This creamy Elote style dressing is a healthier take on the original recipe which uses quite a bit of mayo or crema mixture. By replacing some of the crema or mayo with Greek yogurt, we add some protein and still get that creamy tangy element found in a typical Elote recipe.
Add this salad dressing to a Mexican Corn Salad or an Elote Pasta Salad. Or drizzle it on top of grilled corn this summer!
If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy my Southwest Dressing or my Corn & Black Bean Salad with Feta Cheese.
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This Elote Dressing is made with simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the printable recipe card for dressing ingredient measurements and full recipe.
- Plain Greek Yogurt - typically, Mexican Street Corn (Elote) is made using either mayo or Mexican crema which is similar to sour cream or mayo. In this recipe, we use Greek yogurt to replace most of it to make this recipe lower in saturated fats and calories than traditional Mexican Street Corn while providing the same flavors. You can replace Greek yogurt with whipped cottage cheese if you don't like Greek yogurt.
- Mayo - just a little bit of mayo goes a long way. If you prefer, you can cut out the mayo altogether and use extra Greek yogurt.
- Fresh Lime Juice & Lime Zest - this brightens up the Elote dressing and adds so much flavor!
- Spices - we are using a combination of chili powder, a little smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, and garlic powder. If you have it accessible, you can substitute with Tajin Seasoning or Elote seasoning from Trader Joe's.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - to tie all the flavors together.
How to Make Elote Dressing
Below are the instructions for how to make this recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1: Combine the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Step 2: Whisk until very well combined.
Hint: If you want to make it even more creamy, blend everything in a food processor or blender.
Dietitian Tip
Simple recipe swaps like replacing sour cream and mayo traditionally added to Elote dressing with a mixture of mayo and Greek yogurt cuts down the amount of calories and saturated fats. It also adds nutrients like probiotics for gut health, protein and calcium.
Variations
One of my favorite things about making Elote dressing at home is that there are so many different ways to customize it to your taste preferences. Below are some examples, but feel free to get creative!
- Spicy - crushed add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce like Tapatio or tabasco if you like spicy flavors.
- Deluxe - add some red onion or green onion and fresh cilantro and blend everything to add more fresh ingredients.
- Vegan - use a vegan mayo like this plant-based mayo from Hellman's and your favorite plant-based yogurt to make this recipe vegan.
Storage for Elote Dressing
- Refrigerator - store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Ideas for Serving Elote Dressing
Now that you have a batch of this versatile dressing, enjoy it on a variety of different dishes! Here are some ideas:
- On an Elote Salad- add this dressing to a salad with fresh corn kernels, red onions, red bell pepper, salty cotija cheese or feta cheese and chopped cilantro. Top it with this creamy dressing and serve with lime wedges. You can even use canned corn and heat it in a large skillet. Here's a Mexican Street Corn Salad recipe to try! It even makes a great late night snack.
- In a Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad - next time you are looking for the perfect side dish to bring to a cookout where Mexican food is being served, bring this Elote Pasta Salad in a large bowl and watch it disappear!
- With Ears of Corn - if you are grilling out, drizzle this elote dressing on top of your hot corn cob recipe with some parmesan cheese or queso fresco. You can also drizzle it on other roasted or grilled vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini!
- As a Marinade - add a little olive oil and use this easy salad dressing as a marinade on chicken. The Greek yogurt helps to tenderize the chicken and lock in moisture.
- As a Dip - you can even use this dressing as a dip with tortilla chips or raw vegetables.
For a similar flavor, try my Creamy Southwest Dressing!
Expert Tips
- Use full fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest consistency and non-fat Greek yogurt if you prefer a thinner consistency. Or add a bit of cold water or avocado oil to thin it out.
- Add this dressing to your salad right before serving.
- Add seasoning and salt to taste as you go.
- You can substitute the spice blend with 1 tablespoon of Elote Seasoning or Tajin seasoning
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this Elote dressing is a nutrient-rich option. It contains some protein, calcium, and probiotics from the Greek yogurt. And the fresh lime juice provides a bit of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Nope! If you don't like mayo or don't have any, you can just use a bit of extra Greek yogurt and add a drizzle of avocado oil or olive oil instead. This will help the dressing to emulsify which is what the mayo helps with.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Elote Dressing:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Creamy Elote Dressing (Mexican Street Corn Inspired)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt*
- 2 tablespoon mayonnaise*
- 2 small limes, juice and zest of (~2 tablespoon lime juice + zest)
- 1.5 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper more to taste
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Whisk until well combined.
- Hint: if you prefer a creamier dressing, add the ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend for about 30 seconds-1 minute.
Notes
- Use full fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest consistency and non-fat Greek yogurt if you prefer a thinner consistency. Or add a bit of cold water or avocado oil to thin it out.
- Add this dressing to your salad right before serving.
- Add seasoning and salt to taste as you go.
- You can substitute the spice blend with 1 tablespoon of Elote Seasoning or Tajin seasoning
- Refrigerator - store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
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