Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot
This Mexican street corn soup crockpot recipe has the smoky, creamy, tangy flavor of elote in a spoonable bowl. Frozen corn, jalapeño and cream cheese go in the slow cooker, and cotija and lime finish it.
Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot
Course: SoupDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes6
hoursCorn, potatoes and jalapeño simmer in broth with chili and cumin, then get blended partway and finished with cream cheese and lime. Cotija and cilantro go on top.
Ingredients
2 lb frozen corn kernels
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp lime juice
1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Directions
- Add the corn, onion, jalapeños, garlic and potatoes to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Pour in the broth. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika and salt.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The potatoes should be fork-tender.
- Use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup, leaving plenty of whole kernels. Or ladle out 3 cups, blend in a blender, and stir back in.
- Add the cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir until the cream cheese melts, about 10 minutes on HIGH.
- Stir in the lime juice and taste for salt.
- Ladle into bowls.
- Top with cotija, cilantro and an extra pinch of chili powder.
Notes
- For a char flavor, broil the frozen corn on a sheet pan for 8 minutes first. Add cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a meal. Leftovers keep 4 days. Dairy soups can separate when frozen, so freeze the base before adding cream. Serve with tortilla chips or a quesadilla.
Why this soup works in a slow cooker
Mexican street corn is grilled corn rolled in mayo, cotija, chili and lime. This soup takes those same flavors and turns them into a creamy bowl. Frozen corn means no grilling and no cutting kernels off the cob, and a slow cooker brings it all together in about six hours.
The potatoes give the soup body, and blending half of it makes the base thick and creamy while the other half stays chunky. The cream cheese and heavy cream go in at the end so they stay smooth instead of splitting. It tastes like summer, but it is just as good in the dead of winter, since frozen corn is picked and frozen at its sweetest.
Ingredient notes
Frozen corn kernels: Two pounds, straight from the bag. They are sweet and already blanched, and no thawing is needed.
Yukon Gold potatoes: They break down slightly and thicken the broth. Peel them and dice them small so they soften fully.
Jalapeños: Seed them for mild heat or leave the seeds for more kick. Two give a gentle warmth.
Chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika: This trio makes the street corn flavor. Smoked paprika stands in for the char of grilled corn.
Cream cheese and heavy cream: Both go in at the end and melt into a silky finish. Use full-fat versions so they do not curdle.
Cotija cheese: It is salty, crumbly and sharp. Feta is the best substitute if you cannot find it.
Tips for the best result
Blend half: Use an immersion blender for a few pulses, or ladle out three cups and blend them separately. Leave plenty of whole kernels for texture.
Add the dairy last: Stir in the cream cheese and cream at the end and heat for 10 minutes on HIGH. Cooking dairy for hours makes it separate.
The most common mistake is skipping the lime: Two tablespoons at the end wake up the whole soup. Without acid it tastes flat and sweet. Taste for salt after the cotija goes on, since the cheese adds more. Do not overblend the soup, since a fully smooth soup loses the pop of the corn kernels that makes it feel like street corn.
Pin it
Swaps and variations
Use half-and-half in place of heavy cream for a lighter bowl, or add shredded chicken or crumbled chorizo to make it a full dinner. Swap cotija for feta or parmesan, and add a can of black beans for extra body. A spoonful of chipotle in adobo adds smoke and heat.
Fresh corn off the cob works but takes longer to soften and is harder to find out of season. Canned corn does not work as well, since it turns soft and mushy. Adding a handful of shredded rotisserie chicken or a few slices of crisp bacon turns this into a heartier meal with almost no extra work.
What to serve with it
Serve in bowls topped with cotija, cilantro and a pinch of chili powder. Pair with warm tortillas, a quesadilla or tortilla chips on the side. A squeeze of lime at the table makes each spoonful brighter. A side of quesadillas or a tray of warm cornbread makes the soup a full dinner, and a squeeze of fresh lime at the table brightens each bowl.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Store leftovers for up to 4 days in the fridge. The soup thickens as it cools, so reheat over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or milk, stirring often. Do not let it boil.
Freezing is possible for up to 2 months, but the cream can separate when thawed. If you plan to freeze it, leave out the cream cheese and cream, and add them when you reheat. Pack single servings in jars or containers for lunches, leaving room at the top for expansion if you freeze.
Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot at a glance
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 6 hours
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 15, led by frozen corn kernels, yellow onion, jalapeños, garlic
Tips for Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot
For a char flavor, broil the frozen corn on a sheet pan for 8 minutes first. Add cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a meal. Leftovers keep 4 days. Dairy soups can separate when frozen, so freeze the base before adding cream. Serve with tortilla chips or a quesadilla.
Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot FAQ
How long does Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot take?
Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot takes 6 hours of cooking after 15 minutes of prep.
How many people does Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Mexican Street Corn Soup Crockpot?
15 ingredients, led by frozen corn kernels, yellow onion, jalapeños, garlic. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
