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Mexican Street Corn Salad

Creamy Mexican street corn salad with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.

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This is a scoopable, shareable version of classic elote. It features smoky grilled corn tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with cotija cheese, lime, and cilantro. Perfect for potlucks and parties, it avoids sogginess by using cooled corn.

Ingredients

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  • 6 ears fresh corn, husked
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 1/2 cup freshly crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Zest of 1/2 a lime

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush corn with oil and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Grill corn for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and charred in spots. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely.
  3. Once cool, stand each cob upright in a large bowl and use a knife to cut the kernels off the cob.
  4. In a separate large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, and smoked paprika until smooth.
  5. Add the cooled corn kernels, jalapeño, cotija cheese, and cilantro to the dressing. Gently fold until evenly coated.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lime juice. Cover and chill for 15-20 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra cotija and cilantro.

Notes

For a non-grill option, roast corn on a sheet pan at 425°F for 20-25 minutes. Letting the corn cool completely is crucial to prevent a watery salad. The salad can be made a few hours ahead; flavors improve as it chills.

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