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Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe

5 from 111 reviews

Mexican Street Corn Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring charred sweet corn tossed with a creamy, tangy dressing made from sour cream, mayonnaise, and lime juice. Enhanced with jalapenos, garlic, fresh cilantro, green onions, and crumbly cotija cheese, this salad offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and fresh flavors. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, it makes a delicious side dish or appetizer for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Corn and Vegetables

  • 24 oz frozen corn
  • ½ red onion, diced
  • 2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
  • 23 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions

Dressing and Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ cup cotija cheese

Instructions

  1. Char the Corn: Heat a large skillet over high heat and add the olive oil. Cook the frozen corn in the skillet until it is nicely charred and browned, giving it a smoky flavor. Once done, transfer the corn to a large bowl and allow it to cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and ground cumin until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning as needed.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Add the diced red onion, seeded and diced jalapenos, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and cotija cheese to the bowl with the charred corn. Pour the dressing over the mixture and stir thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated and mixed.
  4. Serve or Chill: Serve the Mexican Street Corn Salad immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors, or refrigerate it until ready to serve for a chilled variation.

Notes

  • For extra heat, leave some jalapeno seeds in or add more jalapenos.
  • Cotija cheese can be substituted with feta if unavailable.
  • This salad can be prepared a few hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator; add fresh lime juice before serving to brighten flavors.
  • To make it spicier, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • Use fresh corn instead of frozen if in season for an even fresher taste.

Keywords: Mexican Street Corn Salad, Elote Salad, Corn Salad, Mexican Side Dish, Charred Corn Salad, Cotija Cheese Salad