Everything but the Elote Seasoning is a quick and easy seasoning mix that mingles the classic tastes of Mexican-inspired food with a bit of parmesan cheese.
Versatile and delicious, this homemade seasoning mix will become a staple to add flare to meats, vegetables, and more! It only takes a few ingredients and comes together quickly. In just a moment, you’ll have a seasoning mix that will turn your meal into a fabulous fiesta!
If the aroma and taste of Mexican food instantly makes you happy, then this recipe is a sure-fire way to bring happiness into your life. Sure, you can buy a jar of Everything but the Elote at Trader Joe’s, but it’s also really easy to make yourself.
This mix can be used as a rub for meat, a seasoning for vegetables, or a mix-in for cornbread. And, and the name suggests, you can add it to my classic elote (street corn) recipe for a fun and spicy side dish. You’ll definitely savor the flavor of this seasoning and love how it can spice up your cooking!
Looking for more dishes for a fiesta or Cinco de Mayo get together? You’ll love Mexican Layer Dip, Carne Asada, and Mexican Pasta Salad. Mojitos are a fun drink to pair with Mexican cuisine, like Pineapple Mojitos and Raspberry Mojitos. They’re all so fresh for spring and summer backyard parties.
Everything But the Elote Seasoning uses chipotle powder, chili powder, and cumin – all easy to find in your grocery store. Dried cilantro, cane sugar, sea salt, and grated parmesan cheese are mixed in to finish the seasoning.
Together, they all make a versatile mix that can be used in a variety of dishes – see the serving suggestions below.
Why You’ll Love It
- Spices Up a Variety of Dishes
- Authentic Mexican Flavors
- Easy and Quick to Make
Everything but the Elote Seasoning Ingredients
- Cane Sugar – Has more depth of flavor than granulated, but can substitute with granulated if desired.
- Sea Salt – Thick flakes are preferred for a slightly salty crunch.
- Parmesan Cheese – Grated for a fine, almost powdery texture. (Be sure to omit Parmesan if you want to store this Everything but the Elote seasoning at room temperature in your pantry.
- Chipotle Powder – Adds a smoky flavor.
- Chili Powder – Contributes spiciness to the mix.
- Cumin – Provides an earthy flavor.
- Dried Cilantro – Adds the bright flavor of cilantro.
Variations
- Eliminate parmesan to make a dairy free variety. It will also make it shelf stable for months!
- Finely chop fresh cilantro to use in place of dried cilantro. Use immediately rather than storing.
- Add a pinch or two of cayenne to turn up the heat.
How to Make Everything But the Elote Seasoning in Just One Easy Step
- Measure and mix all of the ingredients in a bowl! That’s it!
Serving Suggestions
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Elote (Street Corn)
- Corn Dip
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Mexican Side Dishes
- Cornbread Muffins
- Zucchini Fries
- Avocado Toast
- Popcorn
- Baked or Grilled Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Fries
Tips
- Ground spices can last for 1-2 years, while dried herbs can last from 2-3 years. If yours are any older than that, then get some fresh ones that will have the most intense flavor.
- Use as a rub on meats before cooking.
- Toss on vegetables with a drizzle of oil before roasting.
- Sprinkle on meat, vegetables, popcorn after cooking.
- Mix into batter or dough of baked goods, like cornbread or rolls.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything But the Elote Seasoning is a little spicy because it includes chipotle powder (which is made from roasted and smoked jalapeño peppers) and chili powder (which has powdered cayenne peppers).
Parmesan adds a slightly creamy texture and nutty flavor to the mix. The bottled parmesan has a long fridge life and a really nice consistency to use in a mix. If preferred, you could crumble some queso fresca or cotija on top of dishes that have been prepared with the seasoning.
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – If you are using parmesan cheese, this seasoning can only remain at room temperature for 2-3 days before losing quality. You could also mix everything except the parmesan cheese together and have it be shelf stable for a year! If you make a big batch to store, omit the parmesan cheese when you make the seasoning. Then add the parmesan cheese to the amount that you’ll need each time you use it.
- In the Refrigerator – Store in an airtight container for up to four months in the refrigerator.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free – Eliminate parmesan.
- Nut Free
More Easy Seasoning Recipes
Everything But the Elote Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt thick flakes preferred
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
Instructions
- Measure all of the ingredients into a bowl.
- Stir until combined.
Julie’s Tips
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – If you are using parmesan cheese, this seasoning can only remain at room temperature for 2-3 days before losing quality. You could also mix everything except the parmesan cheese together and have it be shelf stable for a year! If you make a big batch to store, omit the parmesan cheese when you make the seasoning. Then add the parmesan cheese to the amount that you’ll need each time you use it.
- In the Refrigerator – Store in an airtight container for up to four months in the refrigerator.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Used this on fresh corn on the cob- perfect!