Charred Corn Elote Breakfast Tacos with Scrambled Eggs

Elote, Mexico’s iconic street corn, meets morning tacos in this skillet mash-up. Charred kernels mingle with soft scrambled eggs, cotija, and a smoky chili-lime crema tucked into warm corn tortillas.

Serves 4 · 12 min prep · 15 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 410 cal
• 20g protein
• 32g carbs
• 24g fat
• 5g fiber

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Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh corn kernels
• 8 large eggs
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 sliced jalapeño
• to taste hot sauce

Instructions

1. 1Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the corn kernels in a single layer and let them sit undisturbed for 2 minutes so they develop deep char marks.
2. 2Stir and continue cooking 3 to 4 more minutes until many kernels are blistered and fragrant. Season with salt, then transfer half the corn to a bowl and leave the rest in the pan.
3. 3In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and smoked paprika until smooth. Stir this crema into the reserved bowl of charred corn along with half the cotija.
4. 4Warm the tortillas one at a time directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet for 20 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted. Stack them in a clean towel to keep warm.
5. 5Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low and add the butter. Once melted and foaming, pour in the beaten eggs seasoned with remaining salt.
6. 6Gently push the eggs from the edges toward the center with a spatula, forming large soft curds. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until just set but still moist and custardy; fold in the remaining charred corn.
7. 7Spoon the scrambled eggs into the warm tortillas. Top each taco with a generous spoonful of the elote-style corn mixture.
8. 8Finish with extra cotija, cilantro, jalapeño slices, and a few dashes of hot sauce. Serve right away while the tortillas are soft and the eggs are creamy.