Mexican Street Corn Soup

This Mexican Street Corn Soup captures the essence of elote, delivering a delightful explosion of flavors in every spoonful. Perfect for cozy dinners, gatherings, or a comforting meal, this soup brings together the warmth of spices and fresh ingredients. With its creamy texture and zesty finish, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Flavorful Comfort: This soup combines sweet corn, spices, and creamy goodness for a satisfying dish that warms you up.
• Easy to Prepare: With simple steps and minimal prep time, you can whip up this comforting meal quickly.
• Versatile Meal: Serve it as a main course or side dish; it pairs well with various proteins or can be enjoyed on its own.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The bold flavors appeal to everyone, making it ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests.
• Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with wholesome ingredients like chicken and vegetables, it’s a guilt-free indulgence.

Tools and Preparation

To make your cooking experience smooth and efficient, gather these essential tools before starting your Mexican Street Corn Soup.

Essential Kitchen Tools

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Measuring spoons
• Ladle

Why These Tools Matter

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Ideal for cooking soups, allowing even heat distribution for perfect simmering.
• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables without damaging countertops.
• Chef’s knife: A versatile tool for chopping onions, garlic, and other ingredients quickly and efficiently.

Ingredients

This Mexican Street Corn Soup is inspired by elote, bringing all those bold, zesty flavors into a cozy, comforting bowl. It’s like eating favorite street food with a spoon.

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 small red onion
• 1 medium jalapeno
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (12 oz.) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 (12 oz.) package fire-roasted frozen corn (or fresh corn or other frozen corn)
• 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chiles
• 1 tbsp. Tajin seasoning
• 2 tsps. ground cumin
• 2 tsps. chile powder
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
• 4 cups (32 oz.) chicken stock (or low-sodium chicken broth)
• 2 cups sour cream (full-fat) (or Greek yogurt (full fat))
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• juice of one lime
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
• lime wedges and chopped cilantro for garnish

How to Make Mexican Street Corn Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and diced jalapeño, cooking until the onions soften, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Step 2: Add Chicken and Corn

Add the skinless chicken breasts, fire-roasted corn, and canned diced green chiles to the pot. Season with Tajín seasoning, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup

Pour in the chicken stock and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let the soup cook for about 25 minutes.

Step 4: Shred Chicken

Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot and shred them into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the pot.

Step 5: Add Creaminess

Stir in sour cream (or Greek yogurt), shredded Monterey Jack cheese, lime juice, and chopped cilantro into the soup. Simmer on low heat for another 3 minutes until heated through.

Step 6: Serve Your Soup

Serve bowls of hot Mexican Street Corn Soup topped with crumbled queso fresco, lime wedges, and additional chopped cilantro for garnish. Enjoy!

How to Serve Mexican Street Corn Soup

Serving Mexican Street Corn Soup is all about enhancing its vibrant flavors and making it a delightful experience. Here are some creative suggestions for serving this delicious dish.

Garnish Ideas

• Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds brightness and enhances the soup’s flavor.
• Chopped Cilantro: Fresh cilantro brings a burst of freshness and color, complementing the soup perfectly.
• Queso Fresco: Crumbled queso fresco on top provides a creamy texture and salty flavor that elevates each bite.

Accompaniments

• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy tortilla chips are great for dipping and add a fun texture contrast to the soup.
• Avocado Slices: Creamy avocado slices offer richness that balances the zesty flavors of the soup.
• Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt can add creaminess and coolness to each serving.

Bread Pairings

• Crusty Bread: Serve with warm, crusty bread for soaking up every flavorful spoonful.
• Cornbread: Sweet cornbread pairs beautifully with the spicy elements in the soup, creating a comforting meal.

How to Perfect Mexican Street Corn Soup

To make your Mexican Street Corn Soup truly exceptional, consider these helpful tips.

• Bold Seasoning: Use generous amounts of Tajín seasoning to achieve the authentic elote flavor profile.
• Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh corn when in season for the sweetest taste; frozen corn works well too!
• Cook Chicken Thoroughly: Ensure chicken is cooked through before shredding for tender bites throughout the soup.
• Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, let it simmer longer or blend a portion for creaminess.
• Experiment with Spices: Don’t hesitate to adjust spices like cumin and chili powder based on your heat preference.

Best Side Dishes for Mexican Street Corn Soup

Pairing side dishes with your Mexican Street Corn Soup can enhance your meal experience. Here are some great options:

1. Mexican Rice: Fluffy rice seasoned with cumin and garlic makes a hearty complement to the soup.
2. Grilled Vegetables: Seasonal vegetables grilled until charred add smokiness and balance out the flavors.
3. Simple Salad: A light salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and a lime vinaigrette provides freshness.
4. Black Beans: Flavorful black beans seasoned with garlic and onion make an excellent protein-rich side.
5. Stuffed Peppers: Bell peppers stuffed with quinoa, beans, or rice create a filling addition to your meal.
6. Cheesy Garlic Bread: Warm garlic bread topped with cheese offers comfort and is perfect for dipping into the soup.
7. Corn Fritters: Crispy corn fritters serve as a delicious finger food that echoes the corn theme in the soup.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making Mexican Street Corn Soup, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes that can affect the final dish. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for.

• Skipping the seasoning: Failing to properly season your soup can lead to bland flavors. Make sure to use Tajin and other spices generously for that authentic taste.
• Not using fresh ingredients: Using old or frozen produce can diminish the soup’s flavor. Opt for fresh corn and quality chicken stock whenever possible.
• Overcooking the chicken: Cooking the chicken too long can make it tough. Remove it from the pot as soon as it’s cooked through, then shred it to keep it tender.
• Ignoring garnishes: Skipping toppings like queso fresco and cilantro means missing out on added flavor and texture. Always finish with fresh garnishes for a perfect presentation.
• Cooking at too high a heat: Boiling the soup instead of simmering can lead to overcooked ingredients. Always maintain a gentle simmer for better results.

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftover Mexican Street Corn Soup in an airtight container.
• It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for storage.
• The soup can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating Mexican Street Corn Soup

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the soup in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 20-25 minutes.
• Microwave: Transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each until warmed through.
• Stovetop: Pour the soup into a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mexican Street Corn Soup?

Mexican Street Corn Soup is a creamy, flavorful dish inspired by elote, featuring ingredients like corn, spices, and cheese.

How do I customize my Mexican Street Corn Soup?

You can add extra vegetables or swap the chicken for turkey or lamb based on your preferences.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes! You can substitute chicken with beans or additional vegetables and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock.

How do I know if my soup has gone bad?

If your Mexican Street Corn Soup has an off smell or shows signs of mold, it’s best to discard it.

Conclusion

This Mexican Street Corn Soup is warm, comforting, and bursting with flavor. It’s perfect as a main dish or side. Feel free to customize it by adding more veggies or changing up your protein choice. Give it a try!

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