Elote Jalapeño Creamed Corn
This elote-inspired jalapeño creamed corn is spicy, creamy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious! Jalapeno creamed corn is the ultimate snack, appetizer, or side dish to all your favorites, like these tacos de camaron!

Creamy jalapeno corn is inspired by the delicious flavors of Mexican street corn with a slightly spicy jalapeno kick! This comforting dish is super easy to make and is ready in only 10 minutes!
🐷 Easy Dietary Swaps To Make It Your Way
Vegan
Substitute the cream cheese with a plant-based alternative such as vegan cream cheese or creamed silken tofu. Top with Violife feta cheese or your favorite vegan cheese.
Gluten-Free
No changes necessary for this recipe, since it’s already gluten-free!
High Protein
Mix in some shredded chicken breast, barbacoa, bacon bits, black beans, or protein of your choice. You can also use blended cottage cheese instead of cream cheese.
🥄 Why This Recipe Works
- It only takes 10 minutes to make the perfect jalapeno creamed corn!
- Jalapeno creamed corn is easy enough for anyone to make, even if you’re new to cooking! You could even make it in the microwave or a crockpot if you don’t have access to a stovetop.
- You can make this recipe in advance, then reheat when you’re ready to eat.
- This jalapeno creamed corn recipe is indulgent and rich, yet only requires a few simple ingredients and some seasonings!
🛒 What You Need For Elote Jalapeño Creamed Corn
📝 Recipe Modifications And Substitutions
- Corn: I used two 12oz cans of whole sweet corn kernels, but you can also use frozen corn or fresh corn straight off the cob.
- Cream cheese: You can also make this easy vegan cream cheese.
- Cheese: I love to use asadero or queso quesadilla because they melt beautifully, but you can also use shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, pepper jack, etc. I also like to top with some crumbled cotija or queso fresco.
- Jalapeño: I used 1 large jalapeno for this recipe, but feel free to add more if you want to turn up the spice level. You can also use serranos.
- Nutritional yeast: You can omit this if you don’t have it, but it adds additional cheesiness!
- Spices: I like to make my own elote-inspired spice blend, but an even easier option would be to use storebought Everything But The Elote Seasoning.
- Other ingredients to consider: Fresh cilantro, red bell pepper, green onions, black beans, Tabasco, butter.
*See above images or recipe card for full list of elote jalapeno creamed corn ingredients.
🌽 How To Make This Recipe
Step 1: Cube a block of cream cheese and add to a nonstick pot or skillet over low-medium heat along with 2 cans of corn. Heat until the cream cheese is soft and creamy enough to mix.
Step 2: Add chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, tajin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, cumin, sugar, salt, and pepper, then stir until consistent. Add asadero cheese and diced jalapeno, then mix to combine.
Pro Tip: I recommend mixing the seasonings in a separate bowl before adding to the pot, that way you can reserve a small amount to sprinkle over the top before serving.
Step 3: Heat mixture until cheese has melted and temperature is consistent throughout. Plate and top with additional seasoning, crumbled cotija cheese, and fresh lime juice.
Pro Tip: I like my jalapeno creamed corn pretty thick, but if you want more of a sauce-like texture you can thin it out with heavy cream, milk, water, or even a little chicken broth.
Still hungry? Try this tasty corn chowder recipe!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve this jalapeno creamed corn as a side for tacos, chicken, pork chops, and more. You can also enjoy it as part of a steak and rice bowl, or as a dip with tortilla chips and salsa borracha.
If you’re thirsty, I recommend enjoying alongside a delicious Cuban rum and peach cocktail!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
Yes, creamed corn is sometimes called cream-style corn, but they’re the same!
Chicken, pork, and beef all pair beautifully with creamed corn. Meatloaf, pork chops, grilled chicken, steak, brisket, and bbq sliders all go great with creamed corn.
👩🏻🍳 Pro Tips
- For parties and potlucks, you can keep this jalepeño creamed corn warm by transferring it to a slow cooker.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Reheat in a saucepan over the stove or microwave until heated through.
Love this elote jalapeño creamed corn recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
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Elote Jalapeño Creamed Corn
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 15oz whole kernel sweet corn
- 1 large jalapeno
- ½ lime
- ½ cup asadero cheese
- ¼ cup cotija cheese
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp chipotle powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp tajin
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp sugar
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cube a block of cream cheese and add to a nonstick pot over low-medium heat along with 2 cans of corn. Heat until the cream cheese is soft and creamy enough to mix.
- Add chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, tajin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, cumin, sugar, salt, and pepper, then stir until consistent. Add asadero cheese and diced jalapeno, then mix to combine.
- Heat mixture until cheese has melted and temperature is consistent throughout. Plate and top with additional seasoning, crumbled cotija cheese, and fresh lime juice.
Notes
- I recommend mixing the seasonings in a separate bowl before adding to the pot, that way you can reserve a small amount to sprinkle over the top before serving.
- I like my jalapeno creamed corn pretty thick, but if you want more of a sauce-like texture you can thin it out with heavy cream, milk, water, or even a little chicken broth.
- For parties and potlucks, you can keep this jalepeño creamed corn warm by transferring it to a slow cooker.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Reheat in a saucepan over the stove or microwave until heated through.