Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper Recipe

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The story behind this innovative burger is as mouthwatering as the sandwich itself. Dreamt up by Kelsie from Nebraska as part of a high-stakes million-dollar Whopper contest, the Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper is a bold experiment in taste. Imagine the smoky, flame-grilled beef that Burger King has perfected over the years, now topped with the creamy, tangy zest of street corn sprinkled with a dash of spices reminiscent of a lively Mexican Mercado. When I first heard about it, I knew I had to try recreating this masterpiece at home.

How to make Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper

The Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper is a limited-time specialty burger introduced by Burger King that combines the classic Whopper with flavors inspired by Mexican street corn, or “elote.” This version of the Whopper features a few unique ingredients designed to evoke the flavors typically found in Mexican street food.

Ingredients:

For the Burger:

• 4 quarter-pound beef patties
• 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
• Salt and pepper to season
• Vegetable oil (for grilling)

For the Mexican Street Corn:

• 2 cups frozen corn, thawed
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 1/2 cup finely crumbled cotija cheese (or feta if Cotija is unavailable)
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Juice of half a lime
• Fresh cilantro, finely chopped (to taste)

For Topping:

• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 4 slices of Monterey Jack cheese (or another preferred melting cheese)
• Optional: pickled jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat

Instructions:

Mexican Street Corn Mixture:

1. In a medium bowl, mix the thawed corn with the mayonnaise and sour cream until well combined.
2. Add the spices—chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika—to the corn mixture, along with the lime juice, and mix thoroughly.
3. Fold in the cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. Set aside until you’re ready to assemble the burgers.

Preparing the Beef Patties:

1. Preheat your grill, griddle, or frying pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush the beef patties with vegetable oil and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Place the patties on the grill. For medium-rare to medium, cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Adjust the cooking time to your preferred doneness.
3. A minute before they’re done, top each patty with a slice of cheese and allow it to melt. Then, remove from the heat and rest the patties for a few minutes.

Assembling the Whopper:

1. Lightly toast the sesame seed buns on the grill for a delightful crunch and texture.
2. To build the burger, start with the bottom bun and layer on the lettuce and a few slices of avocado.
3. Add the cheese-topped beef patty over the avocado.
4. Generously spoon the Mexican street corn mixture on top of the patty.
5. If desired, add pickled jalapeños or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
6. Cap off with the top bun.

Tips for the Perfect Burger king Mexican Street Corn Whopper:

• Freshness is key: Use fresh ingredients whenever possible, especially the avocado and cilantro, which add a blast of freshness to the burger.
• Grilling the corn: If you have the time, consider lightly grilling it before mixing it with the other ingredients for an added smoky flavor.
• Customization: Don’t be afraid to tweak the cheese or the spices in the corn mixture to your liking. Each palate is different, and customization is one of the joys of home cooking!
• Leftover corn mixture: If you have extra Mexican street corn mixture, it is excellent for dipping with tortilla chips or as a side for other meals.
• Perfectly melted cheese: Close the grill lid or cover the patties with a heat-proof bowl or dish for the last minute of cooking to ensure the cheese melts evenly.

What to serve with

When serving a bold and flavorful burger like the Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper, you’ll want sides and accompaniments that complement its rich flavors without overshadowing it. Here are detailed ideas on what to serve with it:

1. Sweet Potato Fries:

Sweet potato fries make an excellent side for the Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper. Their sweet flavor and crispy texture offer a delightful contrast to the savory, spicy, and acidic elements of the burger. You can season them lightly with salt and a cinnamon or chili powder sprinkle to echo some of the burger’s flavors.

How to Make Sweet Potato Fries:

• Peel and cut sweet potatoes into thin sticks.
• Toss with olive oil, salt, and your choice of spices.
• Spread on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until crispy, turning once midway through.

2. Cilantro Lime Rice:

A side of cilantro lime rice can complement the burger with its fresh and zesty flavors, adding a lighter and fluffy texture to balance the meal.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice:

• Cook rice as per standard instructions.
• Once cooked, while still warm, stir in lime zest, lime juice, finely chopped cilantro, and a little salt to taste.

3. Grilled Avocado Halves:

Grilling avocado deepens its flavor, making it a luxurious side dish that complements the Mexican Street Corn Whopper’s taste profile.

How to Grill Avocado:

• Halve avocados and remove pits. Brush lightly with lime juice and olive oil.
• Place cut-side down on a hot grill for about 5-7 minutes.
• Season with salt and a sprinkle of chili powder before serving.

4. Homemade Tortilla Chips with Salsa Verde:

For a crunchy side, nothing beats homemade tortilla chips. Served with a refreshing salsa verde, it’s a great way to add a zesty and spicy component to your meal.

How to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips:

• Cut corn tortillas into wedges, lightly coat them with oil and salt, then bake until crispy at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
• Blend tomatillos, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice for the salsa verde.

5. Cucumber Tomato Salad:

A simple, light, and refreshing salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette can cleanse the palate between bites of the rich burger, making each mouthful as satisfying as the first.

• How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad:
• Dice cucumbers and tomatoes. Finely chop red onions and cilantro.
• Toss with a dressing made from lime juice, olive oil, salt, and a hint of honey.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making a homemade version of the Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper, you may need to substitute certain ingredients, either due to dietary restrictions or simply because you don’t have a specific item on hand.

For the Burger Patty:

• Ground Beef Alternative: If you don’t eat beef or want a healthier option, try ground turkey, ground chicken, or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
• Seasoning: If the recipe calls for specific Mexican spices you don’t have, use a pre-made taco seasoning mix or a combination of cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder.

For the Bun:

• Bun Alternative: If you prefer a gluten-free option, look for gluten-free hamburger buns. Alternatively, you can use large lettuce leaves for a low-carb version.

For the Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Component:

Roasted Corn Substitutes:

• Frozen Corn: If fresh corn on the cob is unavailable, you can use frozen corn kernels. Thaw and then pan-roast them for a similar effect.
• Canned Corn: Drain, rinse, and dry canned corn before using it as an alternative.

Mayonnaise:

• Vegan Mayonnaise: If you’re vegan or have an egg allergy, many grocery stores offer vegan mayo alternatives made from plant-based oils.
• Greek Yogurt: For a healthier option, consider substituting mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. This will slightly change the flavor profile but still provide creaminess.

Cotija Cheese:

• Feta Cheese: If Cotija cheese is hard to find, you can use feta cheese for a similarly crumbly and salty effect.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan is another alternative, although it’s less moist than Cotija.

For Toppings and Condiments:

Jalapeños:

• Pickled Jalapeños: If fresh jalapeños are too spicy for your liking, pickled jalapeños are milder and can be found in most grocery stores.
• Green Chillies: Canned diced green chilies can be used for a milder level of spice.

Lime Juice:

• Bottled Lime Juice: If fresh limes are unavailable, bottled lime juice can be a convenient substitute.
• Lemon Juice: In a pinch, lemon juice can work, although it will have a slightly different flavor profile.

Lettuce:

• Different Greens: If iceberg lettuce is not your thing, you can choose from other greens like romaine, spinach, or a spring mix for added nutrition and texture variety.

For the Sauce:

Chipotle Sauce:

• Mayonnaise and Chipotle Powder Mix: If you can’t find a pre-made chipotle sauce, mix mayonnaise with chipotle chili powder or pureed chipotle in adobo sauce.

Adobo Sauce Substitution:

• Smokey BBQ Sauce: If adobo sauce is unavailable, you can try a smokey BBQ sauce for a similar flavor profile, though it will be sweeter and less spicy.

Chili Sauce:

• Hot Sauce: If the recipe calls for a specific chili sauce and you can’t find it, a good hot sauce can add the heat you need.

Final Thoughts

With each layer of the Burger King Mexican Street Corn Whopper you’ve crafted at home, you’ll be reminded of the creativity and flavor fusion that Burger King dared to offer.

More Burger King Recipes:

• Homemade Burger King’s Krabby Patty Recipe