Mexican Street Corn Soup is basically my go-to when the weather gets weird. You know the feeling: you’re craving something warm, easy, but packed with flavor.
Or maybe you stumbled on those gorgeous yellow corn cobs at the store and thought, “What do I even do with all this?” Either way,
this recipe is for people like us, who want legit comfort food but don’t want to bust out seven different pots. Let’s sort out dinner—and get a little bit of that street-food magic in your own kitchen.

Why I Love This Recipe
Alright, let’s get real. What’s not to love about something creamy, cheesy, and a little bit spicy? Mexican Street Corn Soup is like a hug you can eat. It’s the kind of soup that makes you excited for leftovers (if you even have any). The flavors hit all those notes: sweet corn, smoky chilies, tangy lime, salty cheese—even a little crunch.
And have I mentioned it’s forgiving? Forgot to grab fancy cotija? Use feta. No fresh corn? Canned works great. One time, my blender practically exploded (not joking, I was covered in soup), and it still tasted fantastic. Basically, you can’t mess this up. Bonus—my picky cousin, who swears she “hates soup,” asked for seconds. If that’s not a glowing review, what is?
How To Make Mexican Street Corn Soup
So, no fuss. Here’s how you pull it together. You want to start with your basics: corn (fresh or canned), garlic, onion, and a little jalapeño if you like some heat. Toss them into a big pot with a splash of oil, and sauté until you can smell that toasty magic (don’t let ‘em burn—that’s all I’ll say).
Then comes the broth part. I usually pour in chicken broth, but veggie broth is totally fine for the vegetarians out there. Bring it all to a simmer and let it hang out until the veggies are nice and soft.
Now for the fun (and occasionally messy) part: blend it. You can scoop everything into a blender (careful, it’s HOT) or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Get it mostly smooth, but I actually like to leave a few corn bits for texture. Add a squeeze of lime, a handful of cilantro, and a big ol’ spoon of sour cream to finish.
Honestly, if you can stir stuff in a pot and hit “blend” on an appliance, you’ve got this soup down.
Mexican Street Corn Soup |
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 25 min | Total: 35 min |
Recipe Tips
Here’s where it gets personal, because after making this about fifty-seven times, I’ve figured out a few tricks.
For the corn: If fresh corn is in season, grab it. Slice off those kernels and toss ‘em right in there. The flavor is unreal. But in a pinch, frozen or canned corn works just dandy. No judgment.
Spice level is key. Some people want their mouths on fire (not me), so start with just a little jalapeño. You can always add hot sauce or chili powder at the end if it’s too mellow.
Don’t skimp on the lime. Seriously. Even if you think it’s optional, it’s not. The citrus takes everything from “decent weeknight soup” to “five-star restaurant.”
A splash of heavy cream at the end makes it extra silky if you want to go all out, but it’s totally optional. Same with cotija versus feta versus plain old shredded cheese. Use whatever makes you happy.
Oh—and toast up some extra corn in a skillet to sprinkle on top. Gives more crunch and looks prettier (if that matters to you).
“I made this for my birthday, and not one drop was left. My friends couldn’t believe it was homemade!” – Sam, Glasgow
Storage and Leftovers
Here’s the good part. Mexican Street Corn Soup reheats like a dream. Seal it up in an airtight container, and it’ll last about 3-4 days in your fridge. I actually think the flavors get even better overnight. Maybe don’t freeze it if you used a lot of dairy, though. It can get weirdly grainy (just being honest).
Warmed-up leftovers are perfect for lunches. If you want to freshen things up, throw on some new toppings (ooh, crispy tortilla strips are wild). Stovetop reheating is best, but microwave is totally fine in a pinch.
Garnishes
Honestly, toppings make the meal. Don’t skip these, okay? You wanna pile them on thick or just go simple, your call. Here are some go-tos:
- Chopped cilantro for freshness
- Crumbled cotija cheese (or feta/Parmesan if that’s what you have)
- Toasted corn kernels for crunch
- Lime wedges on the side, because more citrus = more flavor
Go wild with a drizzle of hot sauce or a scoop of sour cream. Sometimes I even throw on pickled onions if I’m feeling fancy—but that’s rare.

Common Questions
Q: Can I make this vegan?
A: Yep! Use veggie broth and coconut cream or a non-dairy yogurt. Totally works.
Q: Is it spicy?
A: Can be, but that depends on your jalapeño game. Remove seeds for less heat or leave ‘em in for more.
Q: Can I freeze Mexican Street Corn Soup?
A: I wouldn’t recommend it with all the dairy, but you could try a small portion if you must.
Q: How do I make it thicker or thinner?
A: Too thick? Splash in more broth. Too thin? Let it simmer longer uncovered.
Q: What goes well with it?
A: Grilled cheese, tortilla chips, or frankly…just a spoon.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Alright, you’ve got all my secrets now. Mexican Street Corn Soup is cozy, filling, and totally customizable.
Don’t let the street-food label fool you—it’s simple enough for any Tuesday night. Take my word, once you try it, you’ll crave this flavor-punch again and again.

Mexican Street Corn Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add corn, onion, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until corn is lightly charred and onions are soft, 8–10 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove 1½ cups of the corn mixture and set aside.
- Stir in broth and stripped corn cobs. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Discard the corn cobs. Stir in sour cream and Cotija cheese.
- Transfer soup to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. Return to pot and reheat gently if needed.
- Stir in half of reserved corn, lime juice, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Toss remaining reserved corn with lime zest and remaining cilantro. Top each serving with corn mixture and extra Cotija cheese.
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