Let’s be honest-there’s something about corn that has the power to make any dish feel like a celebration. Maybe it’s the sweetness, the crunch, or that golden color that just feels like summer on a plate. Well, Panera has managed to combine that feeling with creamy, savory goodness in their Mexican Street Corn Soup. It’s a soup that checks all the boxes: bold flavor, a comforting texture, and a touch of heat to keep things interesting.
But guess what? You don’t have to leave your house or wait for the next trip to Panera to enjoy this delicious creation. Today, I’m going to walk you through how to make Mexican Street Corn Soup right in your own kitchen, so you can experience the magic without stepping foot outside. I’ll break down the ingredients, cooking steps, tips, and even some variations to make sure you can make this dish your own.
Mexican Street Corn Soup Panera Recipe
This recipe is inspired by Panera’s beloved Mexican Street Corn Soup, which brings together the rich flavors of charred corn, creamy base, and the perfect blend of spices. It’s a perfect balance of comfort and zest-a bowl of pure happiness, if you ask me. The soup is a delightful twist on traditional street corn, or elote, which is typically served on the cob with cotija cheese, chili powder, and a squeeze of lime.
What makes this soup even better is that you can control the ingredients, tweak the spiciness to your liking, and add more flavor layers if you’re feeling adventurous.
Ingredients Needed
Before we dive into the cooking instructions, let’s take a look at what you’ll need. While some ingredients might seem a little exotic if you’ve never cooked Mexican street corn before, I promise you they’re all worth the trip to the store.
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Corn (Frozen Or Fresh)
- Why it’s important: Corn is the star of this soup, bringing that sweet and slightly smoky flavor we all love. Fresh corn is always ideal if it’s in season, but frozen corn will still give you that great taste without any hassle.
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Butter
- Why it’s important: Adds richness and creaminess to the base, helping all the flavors meld together perfectly.
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Yellow Onion
- Why it’s important: Onions provide a savory depth and balance the sweetness of the corn. You’ll want to sauté them for that delicious caramelized flavor.
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Garlic
- Why it’s important: Fresh garlic adds a fragrant, aromatic layer that rounds out the soup. It’s that little something that takes the flavor up a notch.
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Chicken Or Vegetable Broth
- Why it’s important: This is the liquid base of your soup, so it’s essential for providing the savory, umami foundation that makes the soup feel hearty.
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Heavy Cream
- Why it’s important: This is the ingredient that transforms your soup from simple to luxuriously smooth. You can also use half-and-half for a lighter version, but the richness of heavy cream makes all the difference.
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Cumin
- Why it’s important: Cumin has that warm, earthy flavor that gives the soup its signature spice without overpowering the corn.
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Chili Powder Or Smoked Paprika
- Why it’s important: This adds that smoky heat, just like the seasoning on traditional Mexican street corn. Adjust the level to your taste!
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Cotija Cheese
- Why it’s important: Cotija is a crumbly, salty cheese that mimics the flavor of parmesan. It’s a must for achieving that classic elote flavor.
- Lime
- Why it’s important: A fresh squeeze of lime brings brightness and a tangy balance to the richness of the soup. Don’t skip it!
- Fresh Cilantro
- Why it’s important: Adds a burst of freshness and color, and balances the spiciness and sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Optional Garnishes
- Sliced jalapeños, extra lime wedges, and a little more cotija for topping.
Cooking Instructions
Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to cook up this magical soup. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
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Sauté The Onions And Garlic
- In a large pot, melt about 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it softens, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
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Cook The Corn
- Add your corn to the pot (if using frozen corn, no need to thaw). Let the corn cook for 5-7 minutes until it starts to brown a bit and develops a roasted flavor. This is where that smoky depth comes from.
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Season The Soup
- Sprinkle in the cumin and chili powder (or smoked paprika), stirring to coat the corn and onions. This will help infuse the spices into the mixture. You’ll start to smell that gorgeous, warm aroma.
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Add The Broth
- Pour in your chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes to blend the flavors together.
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Make It Creamy
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, letting it blend until the soup is smooth and creamy. If you want a slightly thinner consistency, you can add more broth at this point.
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Blend (Optional)
- For a silky-smooth texture, use an immersion blender to blend the soup. If you don’t have one, carefully transfer half the soup into a blender and purée it. Then return it to the pot. This step is optional, but it makes for a smoother soup. Leave some corn kernels intact for texture if you prefer.
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Final Seasoning
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add salt, pepper, or more chili powder to suit your taste. A squeeze of lime at the end is the finishing touch.
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Serve And Garnish
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with crumbled cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and any optional garnishes like extra lime wedges or sliced jalapeños.
Ingredient Insights
- Corn: The sweetness of the corn is a huge player in this soup. Whether it’s frozen or fresh, the corn’s natural sugars bring a unique layer of flavor to the dish. You can even roast the corn first for an extra smoky flavor.
- Heavy Cream: The creaminess from heavy cream is key to achieving that rich, velvety texture. It also helps balance the heat and spices, making the soup more comforting.
- Cotija Cheese: It’s essential! The crumbly texture and sharp, salty flavor are the signature notes in elote, and they elevate the soup to something extraordinary.
- Lime: The acidity from lime is what brings everything together. The tanginess contrasts the richness of the cream and adds that refreshing note.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Skip the Roasting: If you have fresh corn, roast it on the grill or in the oven before adding it to the soup. It’ll add an extra layer of smoky flavor that takes the soup to another level.
- Make it Spicy: If you like heat, add a diced jalapeño or two when you sauté the onions and garlic. For more heat, add some of the seeds, but remember, a little goes a long way.
- Adjust the Texture: Some people prefer a chunky soup, while others like it creamy. Adjust the blending step to suit your preference. You can also thicken it by adding a bit more corn or potato.
- Leftovers: This soup actually gets better as it sits! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to a month. Just be sure to reheat gently to avoid curdling the cream.
Recipe Variations
- Vegan Version: Swap out the butter for olive oil and use coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream. Replace the cotija cheese with crumbled vegan cheese or omit it for a dairy-free version.
- Add Protein: For a heartier soup, add shredded chicken or ground beef. Both will complement the flavors of the soup beautifully.
- Smokier Flavor: Use chipotle powder or a small amount of smoked chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to give the soup a deeper smoky heat.
- Sweet Corn and Tomato: Add diced tomatoes to the soup for a little extra acidity and freshness. The sweet, tangy flavor of tomatoes pairs really well with the corn.
Final Words
This Mexican Street Corn Soup is more than just a comforting bowl of deliciousness-it’s an experience. It’s sweet, smoky, creamy, tangy, and spicy all at the same time. The combination of flavors feels so uniquely balanced, and every spoonful is a reminder of why we love food that packs a punch without being overwhelming. It’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, or you can even make it ahead and serve it to guests at your next dinner party.
FAQs
What Is The Mexican Street Corn Soup From Panera?
The Mexican Street Corn Soup from Panera is a creamy, flavorful soup inspired by the traditional Mexican street food known as ’elote’. It features roasted corn, a combination of spices, creamy base, and a tangy, smoky flavor profile.
Is The Panera Mexican Street Corn Soup Vegetarian?
Yes, the Panera Mexican Street Corn Soup is vegetarian. It contains no meat, but does include dairy, making it suitable for vegetarians who consume dairy products.
What Are The Main Ingredients In Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup?
The main ingredients in Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup include roasted corn, heavy cream, chicken broth, onions, garlic, lime, and a blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
Can I Make Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup At Home?
Yes, you can make a version of Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup at home by following a recipe inspired by the ingredients and flavor profile. While the exact recipe is proprietary, there are many similar homemade versions available online.
What Can I Serve With Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup?
Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup pairs well with a variety of side dishes such as tortilla chips, a simple salad, grilled chicken, or a slice of warm cornbread to enhance the flavor.
Does Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup Contain Dairy?
Yes, Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup contains dairy, including heavy cream and possibly cheese, which gives it its rich, creamy texture.
Is Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup Spicy?
The soup has a mild level of spiciness due to the use of chili powder and other spices, but it is not overly hot. It has a smoky, tangy flavor from the spices and lime, but it’s suitable for most people who enjoy a mild level of heat.
Can I Make A Dairy-free Version Of The Mexican Street Corn Soup?
Yes, you can make a dairy-free version of Mexican Street Corn Soup by substituting the heavy cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative and using a plant-based broth.
How Many Servings Does Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup Recipe Yield?
Typically, a batch of Mexican Street Corn Soup serves about 4-6 people, depending on portion size. When making it at home, you can adjust the quantities to make more or fewer servings.
Where Can I Find The Panera Mexican Street Corn Soup Recipe?
The exact recipe for Panera’s Mexican Street Corn Soup is proprietary and not available to the public. However, many copycat recipes online are inspired by the soup and offer similar taste and ingredients.