Mexican Street Corn Salad is a zesty, creamy salad bursting with flavor from the charred corn, cilantro, lime & smoky seasonings! Simple, flavorful elote salad is a perfect grilling side dish!
This easy Mexican street corn recipe starts with lightly charred corn, which is combined with green onions, avocado, cilantro leaves and cotija cheese. The street corn salad is finished with a creamy chipotle dressing with a slightly smoky flavor thanks to the addition of smoked paprika.
Easy Flavorful Side Dish- Street Corn
Mexican street corn salad is a popular dish that has gained popularity in recent years. Our salad version of this dish is a refreshing take on the classic, with all the flavors of Mexican street corn, but in a lighter and more versatile form.
This street corn can be served as a side dish or appetizer at parties or family gatherings. It is a delicious and flavorful way to enjoy the flavors of Mexico, and is loved by many for its unique combination of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. Make it for your next family gathering and watch how quickly it disappears!
Serving Suggestions for Street Corn Salad
Presentation Tips
When it comes to presenting Mexican street corn salad, there are a few tips to keep in mind to make it look as appetizing as possible. First and foremost, use a large, shallow bowl to showcase the vibrant colors of the dish. A white or glass bowl would be ideal to allow the colors to pop.
Next, garnish the salad with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and a few slices of fresh lime. This will add a touch of green and a burst of citrus flavor to the dish. Additionally, consider adding a few whole corn kernels on top for texture.
Finally, serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. This will ensure that the flavors are at their best and the dish is refreshing on a hot day.
Accompaniments
Mexican street corn salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a main course. To make it a complete meal, consider serving it with some protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak.
For a vegetarian option, add some black beans or avocado slices to the salad. This will not only add protein but also make the dish more filling and satisfying.
When it comes to pairing Mexican street corn salad with drinks, a refreshing margarita or a cold beer would be a great choice. The citrusy and spicy flavors of the salad complement the tangy and bitter flavors of the margarita or the crisp and refreshing taste of the beer.
Street Corn Salad Ingredients
Corn: For the base of this salad recipe, you need 6 corn on the cobs, peeled.
Onions: Using 2 green onions, thinly sliced, will give this dish a nice sweet and robust flavor.
Cotija cheese: Add in ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese for a bold and tangy taste to this salad. This can be substituted with ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese.
Avocado: You will want to use 1 avocado, peeled, pit removed and chopped, to add a creamy and slightly nutty flavor to this corn dish.
Cilantro: ¼ cup of lightly packed cilantro will give this corn salad and slight citrus aroma and taste.
Creamy Chipotle Dressing
Mayonnaise: You need ½ cup of mayonnaise for the base of the dressing in this recipe. For a lighter dressing, substitute the mayonnaise for unsweetened and unflavored natural or Greek yogurt.
Sour cream: Add ¼ cup of sour cream to thin out the strong taste of the mayo and create a creamy and light dressing consistency.
Lime juice: Using 1 tablespoon of lime juice gives this corn dressing an incredible blast of citrus flavor.
Paprika: Kick the spice up a bit by adding in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
Chili powder: For even more great taste, use ½ teaspoon of chipotle chili powder. The amount can be increased or decreased to suit personal heat tolerances. The chipotle chili powder could also be substituted for ordinary chili powder.
Salt and pepper: A dash of salt and pepper to taste will round out the flavor of this dish well.
How to make Easy Mexican Street Corn
Prep corn
Start by placing a large skillet over a high heat and add in the corn cobs and cook. Turn the corn frequently until they are lightly charred all over. Char the corn cobs in batches if they don’t all fit in your skillet at once.
Remove them from the heat and set them aside to cool.
Once the corn has cooled, use a sharp knife to slice the corn kernels off the cobs. The easiest way to slice the corn kernels off the cob is to hold the cobs upright with one hand, while using a knife to slice the kernels with the other hand. Set them aside.
Dressing
To make the dressing, use a small bowl and whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, paprika and chipotle powder until combined. Also season with salt and pepper to your desired taste preference.
Assemble
Next, add the charred corn kernels, green onions, cheese, avocado and cilantro to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over everything, then stir until it is well combined.
Serve from the mixing bowl, or transfer to a salad bowl or plate to serve. Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions for Mexican Corn Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit individual preferences. Here are some variations and substitutions that can be made to this dish:
- Cheese: Queso fresco is the traditional cheese used in this salad, but other cheeses can be used as well. Feta, cotija, or even shredded cheddar can be used as a substitute.
- Spice Level: Adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less chili powder, cayenne pepper, or jalapeños.
- Beans: Add a can of black beans or pinto beans for added protein and fiber.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is a must for this salad, but if you don’t have any on hand, bottled lime juice can be used as a substitute.
- Herbs: Add chopped cilantro or parsley for added flavor and freshness.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Ingredients
- 6 corn cobs peeled
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 avocado peeled, pit removed and chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro lightly packed
Creamy Chipotle Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 TBSP lime juice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chipotle chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep corn: Place a large skillet over a high heat and add in the corncobs and cook. Turn the corn frequently until they are lightly charred allover. Char the corn cobs in batches if they don’t all fit in your skillet at once. Remove them from the heat and set them aside to cool.
- Once the corn has cooled, use a sharp knife to slice the corn kernels off the cobs. The easiest way to slice the corn kernels off the cob is to hold the cobs upright with one hand, while using a knife to slice the kernels with the other hand. Set them aside.
- Dressing: Use a small bowl and whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, paprika and chipotle powder until combined. Also season with salt and pepper to your desired taste preference.
- Assemble: Add the charred corn kernels, green onions, cheese, avocado and cilantro to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over everything, then stir until it is well combined. Serve from the mixing bowl, or transfer to a salad bowl or plate to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How can you prepare Mexican street corn salad in advance without compromising its freshness?
Mexican street corn salad is best served fresh, but if you need to prepare it in advance, there are a few tips to keep it fresh. First, prepare the corn, dressing, and other ingredients separately and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, mix everything together and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime juice.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Street Corn
Mexican street corn salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To make it ahead of time, prepare the corn and other ingredients separately and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, mix everything together and add the dressing. This salad is not suitable for freezing.
How does Mexican street corn differ from traditional elote?
Elote is a traditional Mexican street food that consists of grilled corn on the cob that is coated in mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. Mexican street corn salad is a deconstructed version of elote, where the corn is removed from the cob and mixed with other ingredients to create a salad.
What are the benefits of adding black beans to corn salad?
Black beans are a great addition to Mexican street corn salad as they add protein and fiber to the dish. They also provide a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor that complements the corn and other ingredients.
How can you incorporate Tajin seasoning into a Mexican street corn salad for an added flavor kick?
Tajin seasoning is a popular Mexican spice blend that includes chili powder, lime, and salt. To incorporate Tajin seasoning into a Mexican street corn salad, sprinkle it over the corn and other ingredients before adding the dressing. It adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the corn.
Need more side dish recipes? Try more of our favorites here:
- ORANGE GLAZED CARROTS
- ORANGE JELLO SALAD
- CAST IRON SKILLET POTATOES
- SCALLOPED CORN CASSEROLE
- ZUCCHINI RISOTTO
- BLUEBERRY JELLO SALAD
- COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A MAC AND CHEESE
- CREAMY LEMON JELLO
- STRAWBERRY FLUFF SALAD
- CREAMY SALSA VERDE
- SAUSAGE BAKED BEANS
- BLT PASTA SALAD
- MAPLE PECAN SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
- HOMEMADE CREAMED CORN
- TWICE BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
- GARDEN VEGETABLE CAPRESE SALAD
- CREAMY PARMESAN POTATOES & PEAS
Mexican Street Corn Salad is a flavorful and delicious side dish that will easily become your families new favorite dish! Simple elote salad makes a fantastic side dish that is easy to make.
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