If you shop at Trader Joe's you might have already spotted the "Everything but The Elote Seasoning" which is a spice blend to put on roasted corn kernels to make Mexican Elote.
What is Elote?
Elote (pronounced Eh-Lo-Teh) is roasted corn seasoned with a blend of spices and creamy dressing and sprinkled with cheese. It's also known as Mexican Street Corn.
It's called Esquites when the corn is off the cob or also Elote in a cup.
Elote Spice Blend
To make the Elote spice blend I like to use the ingredients listed on the Trader Joe's bottle of the Everything But the Elote seasoning. The ingredient list is as follows:
- Cane Sugar
- Sea Salt
- Corn Flour
- Chile Pepper
- Parmesan Cheese
- Chipotle Powder
- Natural flavor (citric acid)
- Dried Cilantro
- Organic Rice Fiber
- Cumin Powder
There are some ingredients in this list that are only necessary for the commercial version, for example the citric acid and organic rice fiber (sounds like a filler agent)
So in my homemade version of this seasoning, I omit those ingredients that are for commercial use and probably really hard to find. I also got rid of these in my spice blend:
- Cane Sugar: If using the sweet yellow corn, I feel this ingredient adds unnecessary calories.
- Corn Flour: It does not add flavor or texture and sounds more like a filler agent to me.
- Parmesan Cheese: This one threw me off. When I use parmesan cheese in any recipe, I always use fresh parmigiano regiano never the one that is found on the out of the refrigerated section. I can understand the use of the cheese to add umami flavor but in my homemade seasoning, I omit this ingredient because I can add umami with other condiments.
- Natural Flavor, Citric Acid: Instead I add a squeeze of lemon juice to my Elote once is ready to eat to get that citrus taste but it is optional.
- Organic Rice Fiber: I don't think this ingredient adds flavor or texture and it's being used as a filler.
Homemade TJ's Everything but the Elote Seasoning
So now we are left with these ingredients that to me are what really make this seasoning great.
- Sea Salt
- Chile Pepper (I used ancho chile powder)
- Chipotle Powder
- Dried Cilantro
- Cumin Powder
To the list above I like to add smoked paprika and some freshly ground pepper.
I use this seasoning on this Creamy Roasted Mexican Corn and it's the best thing ever! My husband loves to eat this and I keep it on regular rotation.
If you are doing low-carb or keto, this version of cauliflower elote will hit the spot.
Homemade Trader Joe's Everything but the Elote Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon Paprika I like smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients until well incorporated
- Store in a spice container and use as needed
mhast
This is a great recipe! I made it tonight and it was really good. I used a little less cumin because I didn't have any, and I also used a little less chili powder because I didn't have any chili powder.
Shane
The blend is meant to mimic the flavors of Elote so all of the ingredients serve a purpose.
Cane Sugar: This is in here to make the blend affordable. Sugar is much cheaper than spices. However, it serves the practical purpose of providing a balance to the sour notes of the other ingredients.
Corn Flour: This is in here to provide some of the corn flavors associated with Mexican food, such as tortillas or tamales. The blend was not intended to only be used on corn, so this is added for versatility.
Parmesan Cheese: This is added to the blend because street corn traditionally uses Cotija, but parmesan is often used as a substitute. If you are using this for street corn and intend to add your own cheese, then this is irrelevant. However, because this can be used in other recipes, this helps give a more authentic flavor. Think french fry or popcorn shake on.
Natural Flavor, Citric Acid: Natural Flavor and Citric Acid are not the same thing. In this blend, the Natural Flavor is Corn. Citric Acid is used to provide the sour notes that you would get from lime juice. It's possible that they are using a lime flavor, as well, but the blend does not have the distinct lime flavor that typically comes from natural flavors.
Organic Rice Fiber: This is a flow agent. When ingredients are mixed together, especially when they are moist or tend to draw moisture (like sugar), using rice fiber or silicon dioxide keeps them from clumping.
Isabel
Thanks for the insight!
Barbara
I have agree completely with your ingredient list. I would have omitted the exact same ingredients that you did.