This Mexican Street Corn Salad is set to become your new go-to side dish, bringing the vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican street food right to your kitchen. Bursting with freshness, a hint of creaminess, and a spicy kick, this street corn salad recipe is incredibly easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Vibrant and flavorful Mexican Street Corn Salad in a white bowl, perfect for summer cookouts
Inspired by the beloved Mexican elotes, this street corn salad captures the essence of summer corn at its peak. For those familiar with this blog, you know fresh corn holds a special place in my list of favorite foods. While enjoying corn straight off the cob is a simple pleasure, transforming it into this Mexican corn salad elevates it to an entirely new culinary experience. This recipe is my homage to the unforgettable elotes enjoyed during my time in Austin, delivering that same creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor profile in a convenient salad form.
Key Ingredients for an Authentic Street Corn Salad
If you haven’t encountered elotes before, they are a quintessential Mexican street food: grilled corn slathered with mayonnaise, chili powder or hot sauce, lime juice, and sprinkled with Cotija cheese. This street corn salad recipe draws inspiration from those classic flavors, resulting in a refreshing, crisp, and creamy side dish. With only ten essential ingredients, each component plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
- Grilled Corn: The foundation of this salad is perfectly grilled corn. Grilling enhances the natural sweetness of the corn and adds a delightful smoky char, making it incredibly juicy and flavorful.
- Mayonnaise: A touch of mayonnaise provides a subtle creamy coating that binds the salad together without being heavy.
- Lime Juice and Zest: These are crucial for adding brightness and a zesty tang, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.
- Garlic and Scallions: These aromatic additions bring sharp, oniony notes that enhance the overall savory profile of the salad.
- Cotija Cheese: This firm, salty Mexican cheese adds pops of tangy and salty flavor. If Cotija is unavailable, feta cheese makes an excellent substitute.
- Fresh Cilantro: Cilantro provides a burst of freshness, adding a characteristic herbaceous note that is essential to Mexican cuisine.
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika infuses the salad with a smoky depth that complements the grilled corn beautifully. Chili powder can also be used for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Jalapeño: For a touch of heat, diced jalapeño brings a spicy kick. For a milder variation, consider using pickled jalapeños to control the spice level.
- Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt is essential to tie all the flavors together, enhancing and balancing the overall taste of the salad.
Preparing this street corn salad is straightforward. Begin by grilling the corn until tender and slightly charred. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice and zest, and minced garlic to create the creamy dressing. Once the corn is cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off the cob and transfer them to a large bowl. Add the scallions, Cotija cheese, cilantro, smoked paprika, and diced jalapeño to the corn. Finally, gently fold in the prepared dressing until all ingredients are evenly coated.
This Mexican street corn salad can be served immediately, but its flavors truly meld and deepen as it chills in the refrigerator. This make-ahead convenience makes it an ideal choice for potlucks, barbecues, and picnics, allowing you to prepare it in advance and enjoy stress-free entertaining.
Close-up of creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad recipe showcasing fresh corn, Cotija cheese, and cilantro
Serving Suggestions for Mexican Corn Salad
This versatile street corn salad is a fantastic make-ahead dish, making it perfect for bringing to any summer cookout or gathering. It pairs wonderfully with classic picnic and BBQ favorites such as veggie burgers, BBQ sandwiches, black bean burgers, or portobello burgers, adding a vibrant and flavorful side to your meal.
To create a complete Mexican-themed feast, incorporate this salad alongside other traditional dishes. It complements tacos, enchiladas, grilled chicken or fish, and adds a refreshing element to richer main courses.
For delicious leftover transformations, incorporate this street corn salad into a DIY burrito bowl. Combine it with cilantro lime rice, your favorite dressing, guacamole, black beans, pico de gallo, and mango or tomatillo salsa for a vibrant and satisfying meal. And of course, no Mexican-inspired meal is complete without margaritas to sip on!
Delicious and easy-to-make Street Corn Salad, a refreshing summer side dish
More Summer Salad Inspiration
If you’re a fan of this Mexican corn salad, explore these other delightful summer salad recipes for more seasonal inspiration:
Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe
Rated 4.98 from 167 votes
Serves 4
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This easy Mexican street corn salad is the quintessential summer side dish! Lightly creamy, spicy, and bursting with fresh flavors, this recipe will quickly become a favorite you’ll want to make time and time again.
Equipment
- Grill
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
Ingredients
- 4 ears fresh corn, husked
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- 1½ tablespoons mayonnaise, or vegan mayo
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- ⅓ cup chopped scallions
- ¼ cup crumbled Cotija, or feta cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, or chili powder
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced*
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat. Brush husked corn with olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until kernels are tender and lightly charred, about 10-15 minutes.
- While corn cools slightly, in a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Cut corn kernels off the cob and place in a large bowl. Add scallions, Cotija cheese, cilantro, smoked paprika, and jalapeño.
- Pour dressing over corn mixture and gently fold to combine. Season with sea salt to taste.
- Serve immediately or chill for later.
Recipe Notes
*For extra flavor, roast the jalapeño alongside the corn on the grill. To make this recipe vegan, simply omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
