Elote Pickles Elote Style Dill Pickles Recipe

Making these tangy cucumber and corn pickles brings a sense of joyful nostalgia, combining crunchy textures with vibrant flavors that remind me of summer barbecues. The zesty kick from the lime and chili powder, paired with the creamy cotija cheese, transforms a simple side dish into a star of the table that I just can’t resist.

Combining the tangy taste of dill pickles with the vibrant flavors of elote is what makes my Elote Style Dill Pickles a unique culinary experience. Starting with fresh cucumbers, my brine of white vinegar, and a mix of seasonings that include garlic, whole black peppercorns, and a few mustard seeds ensures a flavor-packed pickle.

The addition of sweet corn, cotija cheese, and a sprinkle of chili powder makes these pickles taste like the beloved Mexican street food.

Elote Pickles Elote Style Dill Pickles Recipe Ingredients

• Cucumbers: Low in calories, provide hydration, and add crunch.
• White Vinegar: Adds a tangy sourness, acts as a preservative.
• Garlic: Offers aromatic flavor, contains antioxidants.
• Dill Weed: Provides herbal notes, rich in vitamin C.
• Corn Kernels: Sweetness and texture, good source of fiber.
• Cotija Cheese: Salty, crumbly texture, adds protein and calcium.
• Cilantro: Freshness, rich in vitamins A, C, and K.
• Chili Powder: Adds heat and spice, contains capsaicin.
• Lime: Offers citrusy tang, rich in vitamin C.

Elote Pickles Elote Style Dill Pickles Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 4 cups sliced cucumbers (about 4 medium cucumbers)
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 ears of corn, kernels removed
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 lime, zested and juiced

How to Make this Elote Pickles Elote Style Dill Pickles Recipe

1. In a medium saucepan, mix the plain vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Heat it up to medium heat until everything totally dissolves. Don’t let it simmer, just heat until everything dissolves. With only a slight delay, take it off the heat and set it aside to cool. You could set it in the fridge or just let it chill on the counter.

2. As the vinegar mixture cools, pack the thinly sliced cucumbers into a large, heatproof jar or bowl.

3. Place the jar with the cucumbers beside you on a clean surface. Into the jar, add the garlic slices, dried dill weed, black peppercorns, and crushed red pepper flakes.

4. After the vinegar mixture has cooled slightly, pour it over the cucumbers, making certain they are completely under the liquid. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

5. In another bowl, combine the corn kernels, cotija cheese, cilantro, chili powder, lime zest, and lime juice. Stir thoroughly to mix completely.

6. When the pickles have stewed in the brine, remove them from their bath and place them in the bowl with the corn ensemble.

7. Mix well to ensure a uniform distribution of the corn mixture with the cucumbers.

8. If you want to give the dish an additional kick, adjust the seasoning: add more lime juice or chili powder to taste.

9. Serve right away as a crunchy accompaniment, or stash in the fridge for up to two days. While the dish chills, the flavors meld, and you have a ready-to-eat, crunchy, and flavorful side.

10. If you want, you can add more crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro to the top of each serving.

Elote Pickles Elote Style Dill Pickles Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Medium saucepan
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. Heatproof jar or large bowl
5. Cutting board
6. Knife
7. Mixing bowl
8. Stirring spoon
9. Zester or grater
10. Juicer (optional)

FAQ

• What type of cucumbers should I use?For best results, use Persian or Kirby cucumbers when pickling. They’re the kind of cucumbers that remain crunchy even after going through the pickling process.
• Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?Apple cider vinegar can be used, but it will slightly change the flavor.
• How long should I wait before eating the pickles?To get the most flavor, let the pickles chill in the fridge for at least a day before you eat them.
• Is there an alternative for cotija cheese?If cotija is unavailable, feta cheese can be used as a substitute.
• Can I omit the red pepper flakes for a milder taste?Certainly, eliminating them will decrease the heat while maintaining the overall taste profile.
• How long will the pickles last?These pickles have a refrigerated shelf life of 2 weeks.
• What can I serve these Elote Pickles with?These are perfect as a toppings for grilled meat, tacos, or as a part of a charcuterie board.

Elote Pickles Elote Style Dill Pickles Recipe Substitutions and Variations

White vinegar can be replaced with apple cider vinegar, which has a slightly fruitier flavor.
If you don’t have kosher salt, then use sea salt in equal measure.
Cayenne pepper: Substitute with crushed red pepper flakes, but use half the amount to maintain spice level.
Feta cheese can be used as a similar alternative to cotija cheese when you want a comparable crumbly texture.
Substituting fresh parsley in place of fresh cilantro will yield a different but delightful herb flavor in your dish.

Pro Tips

1. Before slicing the cucumbers, consider salting them and letting them sit in a colander for about 30 minutes. This draws out excess moisture, enhancing the texture and preventing the pickles from becoming too watery.

2. Toast the black peppercorns in a dry pan over medium heat for a minute or two before adding them to the cucumber jar. This slightly enhances their flavor and adds a subtle complexity to the dish.

3. Use fresh dill instead of dried if available, as it will provide a more vibrant flavor. If you choose to use fresh dill, roughly one tablespoon of chopped fresh dill can replace the two teaspoons of dried dill weed.

4. For an extra smoky flavor, consider grilling the corn cobs before removing the kernels for your corn mixture. This step will impart a charred taste to the dish, which pairs well with the tangy cucumbers.

5. When mixing the corn and cucumber components, gently fold them together to maintain the integrity of the cucumber slices and corn kernels, ensuring the texture remains appealing and crunchy.