What You Need To Know About Trader Joe's Everything But The Elote Seasoning

The Kitchn describes elote as a "beautiful mess." The word elote itself describes an ear of sweet corn, but the dish elote is something more. Sometimes referred to as Mexican sweet corn, elote consists of roasted sweet corn with a creamy, tangy, salty, and spicy kick. Many traditional recipes call for roasted corn coated in a combination of mayonnaise, crema, cayenne pepper or chili powder, and cotija cheese. Added lime juice is also popular. This beloved street food has long been popular for its complex yet earthy taste and extreme snackability. It's so good, in fact, that you just want to bottle it up and use it on everything, which is exactly what Trader Joe's did in their new Everything But the Elote powdered seasoning blend. 

Inspired by recent hits like the Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers (think of street corn-flavored Fritos) and their Everything But the Bagel seasoning blend (all the toppings, none of the carbs), this seasoning features a mix of salt, chili pepper, Parmesan cheese, chipotle powder, and cumin. There's also a little dried cilantro, corn flour, and cane sugar. Food Network reviewers say this new seasoning may be even more popular than the everything bagel seasoning! The experience is described as adding a smoky, slightly spicy flavor with a sweet yet not-overpowering aftertaste. It's great to liven up bland foods or add smoky depth to your favorite snacks.

Trader Joe's figured out how to help bring the idea of savory sweet corn into the home, with a lot less mess. Just roast, boil, or cook up some corn cobs in your favorite manner and shake on the seasoning. If you're going for a more authentic style, you may want to add a "sticky" layer to your snack with mayonnaise, crema, or a similar base on top of your corn. Or make yourself esquites instead, using the same corn but eating it instead mixed up inside a cup. 

But don't stop at corn. 

Try this new seasoning on other favorite dishes. Trader Joe's offers some intriguing recipe suggestions of their own, including elote fried chicken, elote sprinkled popcorn, and even Tex-Mex themed elote pancakes (think cornbread and jalapeño, not strawberries and whipped cream). Add it to deviled eggs, fajitas, or even grilled cheese. This versatile seasoning can be used on, or in, a large variety of dishes. Why not grab a bottle and give it a try? The seasoning retails for $2.49 2.3-ounce jar.