Elotes: 5 creative ways to enjoy this classic food
What's the story
Elotes, a beloved Mexican street food, is traditionally made with grilled corn slathered in a creamy sauce and sprinkled with cheese. This article explores five inventive ways to enjoy vegan elotes. By veganizing elotes, they're making sure everyone can enjoy this delicious dish without compromising on taste. These creative spins provide a way to savor the creaminess and indulgence of elotes while keeping things vegan-friendly.
Avocado twist
Creamy avocado sauce elotes
Forget the heavy mayo and sour cream - just blend ripe avocados with lime juice, garlic, and cilantro for a super creamy avocado sauce. This not only provides a luxurious texture but also packs your elotes with beneficial fats and nutrients. Slather this vibrant sauce all over your grilled corn cobs for a burst of refreshing, tangy goodness.
Cheesy sprinkle
Nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor
Nutritional yeast is a secret weapon in vegan cooking, providing that cheesy flavor you crave without any dairy products. Simply slather your choice of vegan butter or oil onto the grilled corn, then sprinkle nutritional yeast liberally over it. This not only replicates the classic cheesy taste but also introduces an additional layer of umami and vitamins B12 to your elotes.
Spicy delight
Spicy chipotle tahini sauce
If you like your corn with a little heat, making a spicy chipotle tahini sauce might be the perfect option for you. Simply blend tahini with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, lime juice, and water until you reach your desired consistency. Drizzle this spicy delight over your grilled corn and enjoy the smoky and spicy flavor explosion.
Tangy topping
Pickled onion topping
Pickled onions add a tangy crunch that takes elotes to a whole new level. Just thinly slice some red onions and let them hang out in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt for at least an hour before you're ready to serve. The acidity from the pickled onions perfectly cuts through the creaminess of the sauces, creating a harmonious bite every time.
Sweet finish
Grilled pineapple salsa garnish
For a deliciously unexpected twist, try topping your elotes with grilled pineapple salsa. Simply grill diced pineapple until it's nicely charred, then combine with cilantro, red onion, jalapeno (if you like a little heat), lime juice, and salt. This adds a touch of sweetness, smokiness, and a pop of vibrant color for a truly mouthwatering bite.