Mexican Street Corn Salad is just like the traditional version with the corn on the cob - but dare we say, better? Sweet corn, tomato, peppers, cheese, and the most wonderful creamy lime dressing. Eat is as is - dip your tortilla chips, or top your tacos or favorite grilled meat with it. Let's make it!
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You'll ❤️ Mexican-Style Street Corn Salad
"Just like your favorite Mexican street corn on the cob - but now it's an extra tasty salad!"
If you are looking for the a delicious recipe with corn, you may want to try Roasted Chili Corn Salsa. Otherwise, here are two easy Mexican inspired side dishes: Mexican Green Beans and these Authentic Refried Beans. Just add a protein for a full meal idea!
Versatile
I have enjoyed this side salad so many different ways! It's a salad, it's a dip, it's a topping. Goes with so many main dishes and proteins.
Crowd Pleaser
It's always a hit at family potlucks, work parties, or over to a friend's house.
Healthy
This salad is both delicious is gluten-free and loaded with vegetables. The fat and calorie content can be adjusted by using low fat or fat free mayonnaise and sour cream.
🥘 What You'll Need
Here are the ingredients you will need to make Mexican street corn salad:
Frozen Sweet Corn - can use fresh ears if preferred.
Green Bell Pepper - green bell pepper is the classic but if you want to go sweeter you could use red, orange, or yellow.
Red Onion - adds sweetness and color.
Tomato - use any favorite fresh tomato.
Fresh Cilantro
Cotija Cheese - if you haven't tried this cheese before, it will remind you of finely grated parmesan cheese.
Green Onion
Mayonnaise
Sour Cream
Cumin
Fresh Lime Juice - fresh juice has the best flavor and much more preferred than bottled.
Garlic - to save time feel free to use minced "jar-lic."
Salt - kosher salt is what I use the most.
Ground Black Pepper
Fresh Jalapeno - adds a little spice. Start with a little and adjust as needed.
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
🔪 How To Make
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making Mexican street corn salad:
Thaw
Pull your corn out of the freezer and thaw. Drain any excess liquid from the corn.
Add All Ingredients
Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl.
Mix
Mix dressing ingredients in a separate bowl, and then pour over salad ingredients in the large bowl.
Mix all ingredients until well coated.
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate your salad for a minimum of 1 hour, then serve!
🥗 How To Serve
Here are a few ways to serve this corn salad:
- Serve this salad with some tortilla chips as a dip at a party!
- Top your Cowboy Ribeye Steak or Chipotle Steak with the corn salad, or serve with some Quesabirria tacos!
- Serve over your favorite protein for lots of flavors! I suggest chicken breast, steak, pork, and fish.
📖 Variations
Here are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions to this recipe:
- You can also use grilled corn. I like to char grill the corn to give it flavor, then remove when still crisp. You can buy frozen grilled corn kernels in some stores - making it super easy! A third option is to toast the corn kernels in a dry skilled over high heat. Be sure to cool the corn before adding to your salad.
- Increase the spice level by adding more jalapeno or using some red pepper flakes.
- Add any additional spices to your taste! Common spices used in street corn are chili powder and smoked paprika. Start with a small amount and increase to taste.
- Frozen or canned corn can be used. Either will work perfectly! I prefer to use fresh ears of sweet corn in the summer when in season. Just cut the kernels off.
💭 Top Tips
- Store this salad in the refrigerator for an hour before serving to allow it to blend together.
- If your salad is too sweet, add more lime juice to your salad until a balanced taste.
- Keep the same size dice cut when chopping, so all ingredients are equal.
❓FAQs
Mexican street corn is made by grilling corn on the cob and then coating the grilled cob with a mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime.
It is said that corn on the cobb is a popular street food down in Mexico. Also known as elote, corn on the cobb is very colorful and flavorful. It is topped with crumbled cheese, spices, and herbs.
✔️ More Mexican Recipes
Your street corn salad would go well with any one of the dishes below! Enjoy!
- Carne Enchiladas
- Mexican Ground Beef and Potatoes
- Chicken Tinga Tostadas
- Seafood Enchiladas
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
📋 Recipe
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups frozen sweet corn (or, 5 medium ears corn, husks removed and corn cut off)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)
- 1 medium green bell pepper (chopped ¼" pieces)
- ½ cup red onion (chopped)
- 1 large tomato (about 8 ounces, cut into ½" cubes)
- ¾ cup cotija cheese (crumbled)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- 1 jalapeno (finely chopped)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- juice of ½ a lime (add extra to taste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Thaw corn and drain any liquid.
- Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.
- Add salad dressing ingredients to a medium sized bowl and mix. Pour over salad and toss together.
- Refrigerate a minimum of 1 hour.
Notes
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- VARIATIONS: Add fresh jalapeño if you want to add spice.
- TOP TIPS: Adjust any seasoning to taste. Allow salad to sit a minimum of 1 hour so that the flavors can blend. If the salad is too sweet add more lime juice.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Pairs really well with this Cowboy Ribeye Steak with Cumin Chili Rub or Quesabirria.
Nutrition
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