Description
Bold, creamy, and full of smoky flavor, this Mexican Street Corn Salad is the ultimate quick side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or even weekday dinners. Inspired by the classic Elote, it transforms charred corn, tangy lime juice, and crumbly cotija into one unforgettable bowl. This easy recipe works as a quick lunch, healthy snack, or vibrant dinner side dish—perfect for anyone looking for new food ideas, easy recipes, or Mexican-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
3 cups corn (fresh, frozen, or canned, charred)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Char the corn on a grill or skillet until browned and slightly smoky, then let it cool slightly.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Add the charred corn to the bowl and toss to coat evenly in the creamy mixture.
4. Fold in crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro gently.
5. Taste and adjust with more lime juice, chili powder, or salt as needed.
6. Garnish with extra cotija, chili powder, and cilantro. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
For best flavor, use freshly charred corn, but frozen corn works well in a pinch—just pat it dry first.
Want it spicier? Add a dash of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño.
Letting the salad chill for 30 minutes before serving helps the flavors meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Mexican street corn, elote salad, summer side dish, easy recipe, grilled corn