Mexican Street Corn Salad + Video - Dessert Now Dinner Later

Mexican Street Corn Salad is easy, creamy, and packed with flavor! Your favorite roasted Mexican street corn (Elote) is cut off the cob (to make Esquites) and is served with a spoon, for a delicious summer side dish!

If you love elote (Mexican Corn on the Cob) you’re going to love this off-the-cob version of Mexican Street Corn Salad, also known as esquites. It’s got charred corn kernels, creamy mayonnaise, smoky chili powder, tangy lime juice, and sharp cotija cheese.

I’ve also added a little butter, garlic, salt, and cilantro to pack extra flavor into this favorite Mexican dish.

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Mexican Street Corn Salad

You can use fresh, frozen, or (drained) canned corn for this Mexican Street Corn Salad. So you can enjoy this salad year round even if corn on the cob isn’t in season.

If you choose fresh corn on the cob, simply cut the kernels off of the cob first. Tip: Use a small bowl turned upside-down inside of a large bowl. Stand the corn on top of the small bowl. As you cut, the kernels will fall into the larger bowl. (You can also use a bundt pan for this same concept.)

Starting with kernels makes prep a little easier and faster since you’re not working with hot corn. Instead of a grill, the corn gets charred on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet.

Even though there’s no open flame, the kernels still pick up that smokiness from the hot cast iron skillet by creating a slight char and nutty, roasted flavor.

Once the kernels are cooked, stir in the mayonnaise, chili powder, cotija cheese, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Season to taste with salt.

Mexican Street Corn Salad can be served hot or cold. I prefer it hot because that’s how you eat elote, but it’s still delicious cold. If you’re a fan of this recipe, you’ll probably like my Corn Salad with Queso Fresco too.

For maximum creaminess in your Mexican Street Corn Salad, allow the corn to cool slightly before stirring in the mayonnaise mixture. This helps prevent it from melting completely. Enjoy!

4.42 from 477 ratings

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Created by Amber Brady Prep: 5 minutes minsCook: 10 minutes minsTotal: 15 minutes mins Your favorite roasted Mexican street corn (Elote) is cut off the cob (to make Esquites) and is served with a spoon, for a delicious summer side dish! Print Pin Rate Save Saved! Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark YieldsYields6 servings

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 Tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter
• ▢ 4 cups (516 g) corn kernels, (fresh or frozen)
• ▢ 1 tsp minced garlic
• ▢ ⅓ cup (78 g) mayonnaise
• ▢ ½ tsp chili powder
• ▢ ½ cup (56 g) cotija cheese
• ▢ 1 Tbsp lime juice, fresh squeezed
• ▢ 1-2 Tbsp chopped cilantro, (optional)
• ▢ kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

• Melt butter in a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and slightly charred, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Allow corn to cool slightly. Stir in mayonnaise, chili powder, cotija cheese, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Season to taste with salt.
• Serve warm or cold. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Video

Notes

Nutrition Info.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.67 cup | Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 503IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 1mg Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only. Sharing this recipe with a link is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

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