Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini
Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini is the perfect summer side dish! After making this many times, I discovered the trick to getting that perfect char and creamy sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Coconut Chicken Brothy Rice Recipe for Dinner and Easy Orange Teriyaki Turkey Medallions Recipe.
Why This Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini Is Pure Comfort
- Easy summer side dish
- Better than takeout
- Creamy, cheesy, tangy sauce
What You'll Need for Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Zucchini
- Mexican Street Corn Seasoning
- Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream
- Cotija Cheese
- Lime
- Fresh Corn
- Mexican Street Corn Seasoning
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Chili Powder
- Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
- Optional: Fresh Corn
- Optional: Cilantro
- Optional: Lime Wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Zucchini: Use medium-sized zucchini for even cooking.
- Mexican Street Corn Seasoning: You can find this at grocery stores or make your own.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Grill Pan — Even heat for perfect char marks. → See on Amazon
- Blender — Smooth sauce in seconds. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini
- Prepare Zucchini: Slice zucchini lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with Mexican Street Corn Seasoning.
- Grill Zucchini: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill zucchini for 3-4 minutes on each side until char marks appear and zucchini is tender.
- Make Sauce: In a blender, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and Mexican Street Corn Seasoning. Blend until smooth.
- Assemble: Spread sauce over grilled zucchini. Top with crumbled Cotija cheese, fresh corn, cilantro, and lime wedges.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the zucchini or it will become mushy. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the grill as soon as it's tender.
- Substitution: If you can't find Cotija cheese, you can use feta or queso fresco as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the sauce up to a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The sauce can be made up to a day ahead.
Freezing Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: If you can't find Mexican Street Corn Seasoning, you can use a mix of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of sugar.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water or lime juice.
Want to level up this recipe?
Grill Brush — Ensures a clean grill surface for perfect char marks. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Zucchini
- Mexican Street Corn Seasoning
- Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream
- Cotija Cheese
- Lime
- Fresh Corn
Seasonings
- Mexican Street Corn Seasoning
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Chili Powder
- Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Fresh Corn
- Cilantro
- Lime Wedges
Instructions
- Prepare Zucchini: Slice zucchini lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with Mexican Street Corn Seasoning.
- Grill Zucchini: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill zucchini for 3-4 minutes on each side until char marks appear and zucchini is tender.
- Make Sauce: In a blender, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and Mexican Street Corn Seasoning. Blend until smooth.
- Assemble: Spread sauce over grilled zucchini. Top with crumbled Cotija cheese, fresh corn, cilantro, and lime wedges.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: If you can't find Mexican Street Corn Seasoning, you can use a mix of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of sugar.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water or lime juice.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sauce up to a day ahead. However, it's best to grill the zucchini and assemble the dish just before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason for mushy zucchini. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the grill as soon as it's tender.
Yes, you can use frozen corn. Just make sure to thaw it and pat it dry before using.
Yes, you can broil the zucchini in the oven for 3-4 minutes on each side until char marks appear and zucchini is tender.
Feta or queso fresco can be used as a substitute.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
