This Chili Lime Corn on the Cob is to die for! Made with simple, flavor-packed seasoning, you’ll love this spicy, tangy, herby side dish. This tasty recipe is ready to eat in 15 minutes!
This chili lime corn on the cob is a delicious side dish that takes nearly no time to make. With a combination of spices, fresh herbs, honey, and lime juice, each corn cob has a bold flavor. You can easily adjust the toppings to your taste, making this a winning recipe.
Use leftover corn from this chili lime corn on the cob recipe to make tasty dishes like Hot Elote Dip, Cast Iron Corn, or Roasted Chili Corn Salsa.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Versatile side dish – This Mexican lime corn recipe is great alongside Mexican mains or as a tasty snack.
- Full of flavor – The spices, herbs, and seasoning in this chili lime butter recipe provide a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Quick – You only need about 15 minutes for this recipe, including prep time!
- Fun side for the whole family – If you have picky eaters, you can easily turn this into a make-your-own corn recipe by setting out bowls with the toppings. Then, let everyone make their own corn according to their tastes.
- Healthier than traditional elote – Regular elote is made with butter, mayo, cheese, and seasoning. You can still enjoy a tasty corn-on-the-cob dish that’s not quite as heavy by skipping the cheese and mayo.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chile Lime Seasoning: Most grocery stores carry a variation of this. I like the chile lime seasoning from Trader Joe’s. You can also use Tajin if you prefer.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Chili Lime Corn on the Cob
Quick Overview
- Boil corn.
- Create butter mixture.
- Season corn.
- Serve.
Step by Step Instructions
Ensure you add salt to the water to add flavor to the corn.
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a few pinches of salt.
Step 2: Using tongs, carefully place the corn in the boiling water.
Step 3: Cover and boil for 7-8 minutes.
Have the butter mixture ready so you can add it to the warm, cooked corn.
Step 4: While the corn is boiling, combine the butter, seasoning, and honey with a fork.
Step 5: Remove the corn from the water after it has finished boiling.
Step 6: Spread the butter all over each side of the corn. Garnish with cilantro and lime zest.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Garnish this chili lime corn on the cob with cotija cheese, Mexican crema, and cayenne pepper (for a bit of heat). I love serving this side dish with other Mexican-inspired mains and sides. Here are a few ideas:
Expert Tips
- Do not overcook the corn. Unfortunately, overcooked corn tends to dry out and lose flavor. Only cook the chili lime corn on the cob until the kernels are a brighter yellow and tender. Then, remove, season, and serve.
- Add the butter when the corn is hot. While you can add the chile lime butter once the corn has cooled, I find it best to add it while the corn is hot. That way, the melted butter gets between the kernels.
- Use tongs to put corn in the pot. Tongs are the safest (and easiest way) to add the corn for this corn on the cob with lime and chili powder recipe to the water. They help keep the hot water from splashing onto you.
Additions & Variations
- Mark the corn on the grill. After boiling the corn, mark each cob for a couple of minutes per side over a hot grill to add some grill marks. This step adds a delicious, charred flavor to the grilled chili lime corn.
- Add cotija cheese. For a richer flavor similar to elote, sprinkle cotija cheese on each chili lime corn on the cob. Be sure to do this after adding the butter; it will help the cheese stick better.
- Use cayenne pepper for extra spice. To add more heat to the spicy chili lime corn on the cob seasoning, sprinkle with cayenne pepper. Remember to start with a small amount and increase to your preferences.
Recipe FAQs
Chili lime seasoning has a bit of heat, but it’s not overly spicy. It’s also tangy from the lime.
Yes, corn cobs have flavor. Depending on the variety you choose (like yellow corn), they will vary in sweetness and taste.
Consider making a recipe like this chili corn on the cob to create more flavorful fresh corn. Adding spices, seasoning, butter, and herbs (like fresh cilantro) will help enhance the corn’s flavor. Using grilled corn will also increase the flavor.
Both tajin and chili lime seasoning contain many of the same spices, including chilis and lime. However, chili lime seasoning tends to be more lime-forward. Both work great as swaps for each other.
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Chili Lime Corn on the Cob
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ears fresh sweet corn, husks and silk removed
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon chile lime seasoning, or more to taste*
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- chopped cilantro, lime zest, & lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a few pinches of salt.
- Using tongs, carefully place the corn in the boiling water.4 ears fresh sweet corn, husks and silk removed
- Cover and boil for 7-8 minutes.
- While the corn is boiling, combine the butter, seasoning, and honey with a fork.2 Tablespoons salted butter, 1/2 teaspoon chile lime seasoning, or more to taste*, 1/2 teaspoon honey
- Remove the corn from the water after it has finished boiling.
- Spread the butter all over each side of the corn. Garnish with cilantro and lime zest.chopped cilantro, lime zest, & lime wedges, for serving
Notes
- Chile Lime Seasoning: Most grocery stores carry a variation of this. I like the chile lime seasoning from Trader Joe’s. You can also use Tajin if you prefer.
- Do not overcook the corn. Unfortunately, overcooked corn tends to dry out and lose flavor. Only cook the chili lime corn on the cob until the kernels are a brighter yellow and tender. Then, remove, season, and serve.
- Add the butter when the corn is hot. While you can add the chile lime butter once the corn has cooled, I find it best to add it while the corn is hot. That way, the melted butter gets between the kernels.
- Use tongs to put corn in the pot. Tongs are the safest (and easiest way) to add the corn for this corn on the cob with lime and chili powder recipe to the water. They help keep the hot water from splashing onto you.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
