The Best Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe Ever
Master the Art of Making Mexican Street Corn Salad
If you’re looking to bring a taste of summer to your table, this Mexican street corn salad, also known as elote salad, is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any gathering! Combining charred grilled corn with a zesty blend of lime, cilantro, and creamy dressing, this street corn off cob is not only a delightful side dish but also serves beautifully as a main attraction for your next fiesta. Whether you call it a Mexican corn salad or an esquites recipe, this dish is sure to impress with its fresh ingredients and irresistible taste, making it a must-try for any corn lover!
For an extra burst of flavor, grill the corn before cutting it off the cob to enhance the smoky taste in your Mexican street corn salad.
Gather Your Ingredients & Tools

| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet Corn | 4 ears | Freshly grilled for the best flavor in elote salad recipe or street corn off cob. |
| Red Onion | 1/2 cup | Diced; adds crunch and a pop of color in fiesta corn salad. |
| Cilantro | 1/4 cup | Chopped; essential for authentic flavors in esquites recipe. |
| Lime Juice | 2 tablespoons | Freshly squeezed; brightens up the summer corn salad. |
| Feta Cheese | 1/2 cup | Crumble on top; great addition to enhance the grilled corn salad. |
| Chili Powder | 1 teaspoon | Add for a kick; perfect for any Mexican corn salad variation. |
Tips
- If you don’t have cotija cheese, feta cheese can be a great alternative, providing a similar salty and creamy flavor.
- To keep the salad fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Avoid adding avocado until just before serving to prevent browning.
Essential tools: nonstick pan, medium pot, oven or air fryer, and a blender if needed.
These essentials keep the mexican street corn salad balanced and consistent every time.
How to Make Mexican Street Corn Salad Step by Step

- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Husk the corn and remove any silk.
- Grill the corn for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred.
- Remove the corn from the grill and let it cool slightly.
- Once cool, cut the kernels off the cob and place them in a large bowl.
- Add diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and salt.
- Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and toss to combine.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt or lime juice as needed.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional cilantro and cheese if desired.
Chef tip: Season in layers and adjust to taste.
Flavor & Texture Secrets

| Flavor Element | Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet | Fresh Corn | Main Ingredient (elote salad recipe) |
| Spicy | Chili Powder | Flavor Enhancer (street corn off cob) |
| Creamy | Mayonnaise | Dressing Base (mexican corn salad) |
| Citrusy | Lime Juice | Acid Balance (fiesta corn salad) |
| Herbaceous | Cilantro | Garnish (esquites recipe) |
- Add-ins: herbs, spices, citrus zest, and dressings.
This fiber-rich combo makes it both filling and nutritious.
How to Serve Mexican Street Corn Salad

- Meal prep friendly.
- Brunch-ready bowl.
- Family dinner crowd-pleaser.
| Occasion | Pairing Dish | Beverage |
|---|---|---|
| Romantic Dinner | Beef Wellington | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Game Night | Buffalo Wings | Pale Ale |
| Summer Picnic | Caprese Salad | Sparkling Rosé |
Explore related ideas here: more recipes. This reinforces mexican street corn salad enjoyment.
Serving Size Adjustments
| Ingredient | x1 | x2 | x4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Grain | 1 cup | 2 cups | 4 cups |
| Protein | 1 serving | 2 servings | 4 servings |
| Veggies | 2 cups | 4 cups | 8 cups |
Scaling preserves the nutrition balance of mexican street corn salad and its components (e.g., fiber/protein ratio). Try a batch cook for weeklong ease.
Allergy-Friendly & Diet Swaps
| Variant | Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | As written | Balanced texture and flavor |
| Vegan | Use tofu or legumes | Plant protein emphasis |
| Gluten-Free | Use GF grains | Check labels for cross-contamination |
| Keto | Swap grains for greens | Keep fats moderate |
- Swap smartly to maintain structure.
- Adjust seasoning to fit each variant.
This ensures mexican street corn salad fits your dietary needs.
Troubleshooting: Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Issue: Lack of flavor in summer corn salad — Fix: Add lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese for a refreshing twist.
- Issue: Difficulties in preparing a street corn off cob — Fix: Use grilled corn kernels mixed with mayo, cheese, and spices for an easy esquites recipe.
- Issue: Boring presentation of Mexican corn salad — Fix: Serve elote salad recipe in colorful bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
- Issue: Unsatisfying texture in grilled corn salad — Fix: Combine fresh corn with diced peppers, red onion, and avocado for a crunchy fiesta corn salad.
Keep mexican street corn salad balanced with mindful timing and seasoning.
Nutritional Highlights
| Calories | ~450 |
| Protein | ~20g |
| Carbs | ~55g |
| Fat | ~15g |
| Fiber | ~12g |
| Key Nutrients | Iron, Vitamin C, Folate |
- Fiber-packed and satiating.
- Protein-rich for recovery.
- Balanced bowl for daily energy.
Dietitian tip: Keep the mexican street corn salad colorful and balanced for micronutrients.
Key Takeaways
- Main technique: build layers with mexican street corn salad.
- Nutritional benefit: emphasize elote salad recipe.
- Texture/taste: contrast crunchy and creamy elements.
- Serving flexibility: great for meal prep or sharing.
- Prep efficiency: use batch-cooked bases.
Faqs
- Q: What is a delicious way to enjoy summer flavors with a twist on the classic elote? Try this easy Mexican street corn salad recipe!
Mexican street corn salad, often inspired by the traditional elote, is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines charred corn with creamy dressing, lime juice, cotija cheese, cilantro, and spices. To make an elote salad, simply grill or roast corn until tender, then mix it with mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, and fresh herbs for a refreshing summer side that captures the essence of street food in Mexico.
- Q: What makes Mexican corn salad a must-try dish for summer barbecues?
Mexican street corn salad, also known as “Esquites,” is a vibrant and flavorful dish made from grilled corn kernels, tossed with ingredients like mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro, capturing the essence of traditional Mexican street corn but in a refreshing salad form. This dish is perfect as a side or a light meal, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors that celebrate the beloved Mexican street food
- Q: What is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines grilled corn salad with traditional Mexican ingredients like lime, cilantro, and cotija cheese?
Mexican street corn salad, or Elote salad, captures the vibrant flavors of grilled corn salad by combining charred corn with ingredients like lime juice, cotija cheese, cilantro, and spicy mayo, creating a refreshing dish that mirrors the essence of traditional elote while being easier to serve and enjoy at gatherings or picnics.
- Q: What makes Mexican street corn salad a must-try dish?
Mexican street corn salad, or “Esquites,” is a delightful twist on traditional elote, featuring sweet corn kernels off the cob mixed with creamy mayonnaise, tangy lime juice, crumbled cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of chili powder for a burst of flavor. This vibrant dish captures the essence of street food, offering a refreshing and portable way to enjoy the beloved flavors of Mexican street corn.
- Q: What is a delicious and vibrant twist on classic Mexican street corn that you can enjoy at gatherings? A: Fiesta corn salad is a refreshing and flavorful option that captures the essence of Mexican street corn in a salad form!
Mexican street corn salad, also known as “Esquites,” is a vibrant and flavorful dish made with grilled corn kernels, mixed with mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, and cotija cheese, capturing the essence of traditional street corn. This salad is reminiscent of fiesta corn salad, which typically blends corn with similar ingredients like bell peppers and creamy dressings, offering a refreshing twist perfect for summer gatherings or festive occasions.
Mexican Street Corn Salad |
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|---|---|
| birthday-cake.site | |
| Love it? Save this recipe for future delicious moments! | |
| Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | |
Ingredients |
|
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Sweet Corn | 4 ears |
| Red Onion | 1/2 cup |
| Cilantro | 1/4 cup |
| Lime Juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Feta Cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Chili Powder | 1 teaspoon |
Directions |
|
| Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. | |
| Step 2: Husk the corn and remove any silk. | |
| Step 3: Grill the corn for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred. | |
| Step 4: Remove the corn from the grill and let it cool slightly. | |
| Step 5: Once cool, cut the kernels off the cob and place them in a large bowl. | |
| Step 6: Add diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco to the bowl. | |
| Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and salt. | |
| Step 8: Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and toss to combine. | |
| Step 9: Adjust seasoning with more salt or lime juice as needed. | |
| Step 10: Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional cilantro and cheese if desired. | |
Final Thoughts
mexican street corn salad brings comfort and flavor to every table. Save and share your twist with fresh ideas and a mindful balance.
Pin this mexican street corn salad and try your twist with summer corn salad today.

