Mexican Street Corn Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Sweet corn with Cotija cheese and lime, tossed in creamy, tangy dressing. A vibrant summer side with zesty flavors.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups corn kernels, fresh or thawed from frozen (about 5 ears)
02 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

06 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed (about 1 lime)
09 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese & Garnish

13 - 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
14 - Cotija cheese, additional for serving
15 - Lime wedges, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
02 - Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
03 - Add the charred corn, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro to the bowl. Toss until all ingredients are thoroughly coated with dressing.
04 - Gently fold in the crumbled Cotija cheese, distributing evenly.
05 - Transfer salad to a serving dish. Sprinkle with extra Cotija cheese and garnish with lime wedges.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for 30 minutes for a chilled salad.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy dressing perfectly balances tangy lime with smoky chili powder—it&aposll have everyone scraping the bowl.
  • This salad is so adaptable that it quickly became my go-to for barbecues, taco nights, and picnics.
02 -
  • Once I skipped cooling the corn and ended up with a dressing that separated—always let it sit a few minutes.
  • Using grilled corn on the cob, sliced off, makes the salad even smokier and more delicious.
03 -
  • Letting the salad rest for fifteen minutes makes the flavors mingle beautifully—don&apost rush!
  • Charring the corn in small batches ensures you get caramelization rather than steaming.
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