Zesty Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe For Summer Fun

Summers burst with vibrant flavors, and this zesty Mexican street corn salad brings the sizzling spirit of street food right to your table.

Charred corn kernels dance with tangy cotija cheese, creating a symphony of bold textures and tastes.

Fresh herbs and a creamy dressing add layers of excitement to every bite.

Smoky spices weave through crisp ingredients, turning an ordinary side dish into a celebration of Mexican cuisine.

Colorful and packed with robust flavors, this salad delivers a punch of freshness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through traditional street food magic.

Let’s find out this irresistible recipe and let your taste buds explore the vibrant world of authentic Mexican street flavors.

Instructions for Making Street Corn Salad

• Corn Charring Excitement A sizzling skillet transforms plain corn into a smoky, caramelized adventure. High heat creates magical golden-brown kernels that burst with incredible flavor.
• Veggie Carnival Fresh ingredients dance together in a vibrant bowl. Crisp red bell peppers, zesty onions, and bright green herbs create a colorful flavor explosion.
• Spice Symphony Cumin and smoked paprika whisper hints of Mexican street food tradition. These magical seasonings elevate the salad from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Creamy Avocado Magic Smooth avocado cubes mingle with tangy lime juice, creating a silky texture that hugs every kernel. The richness balances the corn's smoky notes perfectly.
• Final Flavor Fusion Gently toss all ingredients, allowing each component to share its unique personality. Taste and adjust seasonings until the salad sings with deliciousness.

Spice and Lime Tips for Corn Salad

• Get that authentic street-style flavor by ensuring your skillet is super hot before adding corn, creating those delicious smoky, caramelized bits that make this salad irresistible.
• Adjust the jalapeno quantity based on your heat tolerance – remove seeds for milder flavor or add more for a fiery kick that'll wake up your taste buds.
• This salad tastes even better after sitting in the refrigerator for a few hours, allowing flavors to mingle and develop a more intense, complex taste profile.
• Transform this side dish into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for extra protein and substance that'll keep you satisfied longer.
• During winter, roast fresh corn instead of charring, and consider using canned or frozen corn to maintain that bright, fresh Mexican street corn essence all year round.

Plating and Presenting Street Corn Salad

• Fiesta Fresh Side Kick: Pair this vibrant corn salad alongside grilled chicken or fish for a zesty Mexican-inspired meal that bursts with colorful flavors and textures.
• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this salad in portable containers for outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or summer barbecues where its bright ingredients will shine and impress fellow food lovers.
• Taco Night Superstar: Serve as a delicious topping or side dish with tacos, burritos, or quesadillas to add a fresh, tangy crunch that elevates your Mexican-style dinner experience.
• Quick Protein Booster: Toss in some black beans or grilled shrimp to transform this salad into a substantial lunch or light dinner option that's both nutritious and satisfying.

Keeping Mexican Corn Salad Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the salad in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Avoid mixing avocado before serving to prevent browning and maintain crisp texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Chop vegetables and prepare corn in advance, storing components separately. Combine ingredients just before serving to keep everything crunchy and vibrant.
• Temperature Wisdom: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature within 2 hours of preparation. Cold corn salad tastes best when ingredients maintain their original crispness and bright flavors.
• Freezing Finesse: Not recommended for freezing due to avocado and fresh vegetables. Corn kernels can be frozen separately for future use in other recipes, maintaining their charred flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

Mexican Street Corn Salad Ingredient Guide

• Corn: Sweet summer staple bursting with crisp texture, best when freshly cut from the cob.
• Red Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and crunchy sweetness, choose peppers with bright, glossy skin.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, zesty bite and beautiful purple hue, slice thinly for balanced flavor.
• Green Onions: Brings mild onion flavor and fresh green color, use both white and green parts.
• Jalapeno Pepper: Introduces spicy kick, remove seeds for milder heat, select firm and glossy peppers.
• Avocado: Creamy element that adds richness, choose ripe but firm avocados with slight give.

• Cilantro: Authentic Mexican herb with bright, citrusy notes, chop just before adding to maintain freshness.
• Cumin: Earthy spice that provides warm, deep flavor characteristic of Mexican cuisine.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground offers most robust taste.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use kosher or sea salt for best results.

• Lime Juice: Tangy citrus base that brightens entire dish, freshly squeezed offers best flavor.
• Olive Oil: Smooth binding agent that adds subtle richness.
• Sour Cream, Mayonnaise: Creamy elements that create luxurious, velvety texture.
• Cotija Cheese: Traditional Mexican cheese with salty, crumbly texture, feta makes excellent substitute.

Tools You’ll Need for Corn Salad Assembly

• Large Skillet: Essential for charring corn to get those delicious smoky flavors.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients and mixing the salad.
• Sharp Chef's Knife: Needed for chopping corn, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, and avocado.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring corn while charring and mixing salad components.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of spices and seasonings.

Zesty Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Elote Mexicano Salad blends grilled corn’s smoky charm with creamy, tangy flavors of lime, cotija cheese, and chili powder. Vibrant ingredients create a simple side dish perfect for summer gatherings and backyard barbecues you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (0.94 L/0.94 qt) corn (about 5 ears, cut from the cob)
• ½ cup (118 mL/4 fl oz) cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled
• 2 tbsps (30 mL/1 fl oz) sour cream (or yogurt)
• 2 tbsps (30 mL/1 fl oz) mayonnaise
• 4 tbsps (59 mL/2 fl oz) lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL/0.5 fl oz) olive oil
• 6 green onions, chopped
• ½ medium red bell pepper, chopped
• ½ small red onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup (118 mL/4 fl oz) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
• ½ avocado, chopped
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Corn Preparation: Carefully extract corn kernels from ears, ensuring clean separation. Canned or frozen corn can be substituted without compromising quality.
2. Charring Technique: Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over high temperature. Introduce corn kernels, continuously stirring for 3-5 minutes until achieving rich, golden-brown caramelization. Frozen corn might require slightly extended cooking time.
3. Ingredient Integration: Transfer charred corn to a spacious mixing bowl. Allow corn to cool momentarily while incorporating diced bell pepper, minced red onion, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, jalapeño, and avocado cubes.
4. Flavor Amplification: Splash fresh lime juice across the mixture. Sprinkle ground cumin, paprika, black pepper, and kosher salt to elevate the salad’s taste profile. Gently fold ingredients, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
5. Final Refinement: Conduct a taste assessment, adjusting seasoning and citrus levels to personal preference. Optionally garnish with additional cotija cheese or fresh cilantro sprigs for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Char with Confidence: Get a robust caramelized flavor by using a hot skillet and stirring corn kernels frequently to prevent burning while achieving a golden-brown exterior.
• Customize Heat Level: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on personal spice tolerance; remove seeds for milder flavor or include them for extra kick.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Allow salad to reach room temperature for optimal flavor blending, letting ingredients mingle and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare salad up to 2 days in advance, storing in refrigerator; add avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain fresh texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg