November 1, 2024
What Is Elote Seasoning? Trader Joe’s Copy Cat Recipe

What Is Elote Seasoning? Trader Joe’s Copy Cat Recipe

Since the time, Trader Joe’s introduced ‘EVERYTHING BUT THE ELOTE’ seasoning, people have been crazy about it including myself. I just couldn’t resist myself to explore what Elote seasoning is and how it has woven its place into pretty much everything I make. 

My movie nights are never completed without a unique dish of potatoes whether I make accordion, French fries, or simple hashbrowns just sprinkle the seasoning over anything and it gives salty and savory flavor perfectly satiating my cravings. This viral seasoning blend got huge hype and I won’t deny it is worth every praise. 

Whenever a new Trader Joe’s product comes to the market it becomes extra popular and everyone loves hoarding up this spice blend. Its reviews are both positive and negative, intriguing enough to give it a try. 

But the way I am, I love making up copycat recipes even whenever I dine out, I keep wondering which ingredients are used and how can I make it up with my signature touch. 

Doesn’t matter if you have heard it through word of mouth or simply love Mexican corn you will fall in love with Elote seasoning. 

The perfect blend of spiciness, smokiness, and cheesiness will take you through a rollercoaster of flavors and make the dish an absolute delight.

Whenever I top Up my meat entrees with this spice mix, my siblings can’t resist taking up chunks much to my annoyance though (shaking my head)

These flavors are usually served covering corn on the cob along with cheese and are typically known as Elote.

Last winter, when the corn season was at its peak, I devoured this recipe and blended it whole heartedly.

It’s time to understand what is elote seasoning, and how to make it on your own if Trader Joe’s isn’t nearby and you are intrigued by it due to which people raving about it. Learn the formulation, how to store it, and the top serving ideas here. 

What Is Elote Seasoning?

How does corn on the cob sound to you? Delicious right and if grilled and charred and slathered up with creamy dressing, it would be something absolutely divine. Wouldn’t it? 

Elote literally means ‘corn’ in Spanish and elotes are hailed as popular Mexican street food that is sold this way. 

The corn on the cab is grilled thoroughly and then a creamy dressing made of chilies, garlic, cilantro, and, cotija cheese is poured over it and finally topped up with a lime wedge.

But people often wonder, what is elote seasoning? The Seasoning has the juiciest and best varieties of flavors with a savory, tingling blend that will make you addicted to it. It’s not even actual corn but the ear of corn which is juicy and mingled with spicy blend along with an appropriate amount of saltiness and savoriness.

What is Elote Seasoning if it is not vegan? To make this dairy, use Parmesan cheese instead of nutritional yeast which is a unique variation I have come across so far. 

Is Elote Seasoning Spicy? 

Mexican street food has a signature spicy touch but what is elote seasoning flavour? It tastes salty, sweet, smoky, and with a touch of spiciness due to classic Mexican flavors acquired by coriander and cumin whereas all are tinged with subtle cheesy flavor. 

Why You Will Love Elote Seasoning?

There’s nothing more perfect than the homemade seasonings. What is elote seasoning and its perks that absolutely hooked us to this spicy blend?

Convenience 

It doesn’t take hours to make, it is perfect, isn’t it? Just mix up the pantry ingredients and it will be ready within a few minutes. 

Bold Flavors

The flavors are a right blend of sweetness by sugar and smokiness by chili powder. The right blend of smokiness and sweetness insinuate delicious bold notes of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. 

Prolonged Storage

As it’s not perishable it can stay fresh for a long period of time up to a year without getting deteriorated.  

Versatility

The Mexican flavors go perfectly well with so many recipes and taste delicious. You can incorporate this spice blend into any recipe and you won’t go wrong. 

Customizable

The perfect thing about Elote seasoning is the way you can customize this spice blend. Just add something or omit something as per your preference, spice tolerance,  and the availability of ingredients.

Furthermore, it will make a nice gift if you like to give it to someone as a token of gratitude as it comes in handy for every kitchen enthusiast.

Ingredients In Elote Seasoning 

What Is Elote Seasoning Ingredients profile, this unique spice blend is made up of basic ingredients but be a little more keen towards exact measurement.  

Here’s the list of ingredients required to make this Mexican seasoning: 

Chilli Powder: It’s the base of this spic mix as it gives the seasoning heat, and a unique smoky flavor with moderate to intense levels of spiciness.

Kosher Salt: It’s the star ingredient giving life to the seasoning and pop up the flavor. I won’t particularly recommend you to use table salt due to its high sodium content. 

Cotija Cheese: It’s Mexican cheese made from cow’s milk and is aged like parmesan and has the same crumbly texture. Therefore both can be easily replaced with each other. It doesn’t melt though so you can easily sprinkle it over soups and tacos. 

(Note: Remember cotija cheese is way saltier and intensely flavored than parmesan)

Brown Sugar: It gives mild sweetness but can be substituted with cane sugar if brown sugar isn’t available and coconut sugar seems to be a good option as well.

Cumin: The nutty flavor of the seasoning is due to it, so it can’t be omitted. 

Chipotle Powder: For the signature smoky and spicy flavor, this powder is necessary.

Cilantro: Dried cilantro tastes as good as fresh cilantro but unlike fresh it’s easy to manage and gives a mild flavor. The fresh cilantro has a potent taste. 

These ingredients will suffice as a great elote seasoning, but if you want you can add Paprika or garlic and onion powder to balance out savoriness. Lemon juice or dried zest is also added to bring a citrusy flavor to the seasoning. 

 Add the grated cheese just before using to add the creaminess and cheesiness to the elote seasoning.

Serving Ideas For Elote Seasoning

What Is Elote Seasoning’s Serving Suggestion?

  • You can add on and omit things in whatever manner you like. If you prefer, you can omit cotija cheese and add in grated parmesan cheese. As it makes a great garnishing ingredient with enhanced cheesy and salty flavor. 
  • You can add fresh cilantro and lime juice with wedges which gives a tangy flavor to the street corn. 

Once we get done with our flavors, now comes the part where you will unleash your creativity by using this versatile seasoning.

  • What is Elote seasoning dip? The dip is made quickly by using this seasoning blend instead of using individual spices. 
  • Are you out of your taco seasoning? Here’s your cue to make it today substituting with this spice blend. The flavors resemble and perfectly season your tacos and yes it can be incorporated into fajitas fillings only if you are going for vegan. 
  • Elote seasoning served well with classic Mexican Street food, just take an air-fried corn on the cob, cover it with mayo, seasoning, and cotija cheese and just squeeze some lime onto it. 
  • You can sprinkle this spicy blend on hashbrowns, toasts, accordion potatoes, and hashbrowns. 
  • Take your queso to another level by sprinkling it all over tortilla chips, which tastes absolutely divine. 
  • You can even make use of this seasoning in a meat entrée and season up your shrimp in the air fryer.
  • Are you even doing justice to a seasoning if you haven’t sprinkled it all over the popcorn? For an extra kick of flavor, add cheese and lime juice.

Storage of Elote Seasoning 

Storing your seasoning successfully seems to be a tricky part.

  • What is an elote seasoning storage strategy? It’s simple though, you can store it in the pantry for a prolonged period of time but omit the cheese until you are certain you will use it immediately.  
  • This Mexican seasoning blend will stay fine for almost a year if kept in a cool unmoistened place.
  • You can store this seasoning in an airtight container like a glass jar and keep it in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. 

FAQs on What Is Elote Seasoning

Elote can be easily made up with this premade seasoning aka Tajin which comprises chili powder, salt, and dehydrated lime juice. You can use tajin instead of chilies powder, but omit salt in the blend.

What Is Elote Seasoning? Trader Joe’s Copy Cat Recipe

Course: SeasoningCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Calories

19

kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chilli powder

  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon Cotija cheese 

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon dried cilantro

  • 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder 

  • 3 teaspoons cumin 

Directions

  • Mix all the ingredients i.e., brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, salt, chipotle powder, and cotija or parmesan cheese in a bowl. 
  • When blended well, store it in an airtight container and it will stay fresh for 2 weeks and if apropriately stored, it will go fine for a year if kept away from moisture.
  • You can use this spice blend in your Mexican dishes or in traditional elote which uses grilled corn and slathered up with mayo, lime juice, zest, and cheese. 

Notes

  • If you want it to stay longer, remove the cheese from the ingredients list otherwise it will deteriorate the product earlier.

Nutrition Facts


  • Amount Per ServingCalories19
  • % Daily Value *
  • Total Fat 0.7g 2%
    • Cholesterol 0.6mg 1%
    • Sodium 472.7mg 20%
    • Total Carbohydrate 3.2g 2%
      • Dietary Fiber 0.6g 3%
      • Sugars 2.1g
    • Protein 0.7g 2%

      * The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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