Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Mexican Street Corn Salad takes all the flavor of elote and serves it off the cob, with charred sweet corn, a creamy lime dressing, and salty cotija. It comes together in about 15 minutes and is always the first side to disappear at a cookout.
Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 6 ears fresh corn, husked or 5 cups corn kernels
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup cotija cheese plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro plus more for garnish
- Zest and juice of one lime
- Kosher salt to taste
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
Corn
- For corn kernels: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter or oil, add the corn, and cook, stirring every few minutes, until slightly charred and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
- For corn on the cob: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Brush the ears with melted butter or oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill 8 to 10 minutes, turning a quarter turn every couple of minutes, until charred on all sides. Cut the kernels from the cob.
- Transfer the charred corn to a bowl and chill in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes.
Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chili powder, garlic powder, lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir the cooled corn into the dressing until well coated.
- Stir in the cilantro and cotija cheese.
- Spoon into a serving dish and chill until ready to serve. Garnish with cotija, cilantro, and a lime wedge.
Notes
- Corn: Fresh or frozen both char well and keep the best texture. Canned corn can be used in a pinch, but it's softer and loses some bite.
- Make ahead: Make up to a day in advance and keep covered in the fridge.
- Storage: Keeps in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- At parties: Set the bowl over ice, since the dressing is mayo-based.
- Cheese swap: No cotija? Use feta or queso fresco. Parmesan works in a pinch.
- More heat: Swap cayenne for the chili powder, or stir in a diced jalapeño.
Nutrition
Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 239IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
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