Name: Mexican Street Corn Salad (Elote) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 ears corn; 2 tbsp butter (melted for brushing); 1/4 cup red onion, minced; 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled; 3 tbsp sour cream or crema; 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 1/4 tsp ground cumin; 1/4 tsp chili powder; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional); 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)

Description

This Mexican Street Corn Salad, inspired by traditional Elote, is a vibrant and flavorful side dish featuring grilled corn kernels mixed with creamy cotija cheese, tangy lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a blend of smoky and spicy seasonings. Perfect for summer cookouts, this salad can be served warm or chilled, offering a delicious and easy way to enjoy the tastes of Mexican street food at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Corn

4 ears corn
2 tbsp butter (melted for brushing)

Salad Mix

1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
3 tbsp sour cream or crema
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)

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Instructions

Grill the Corn: Brush the ears of corn with melted butter and grill them over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the kernels are nicely charred. This adds a smoky flavor essential to Mexican street corn. Once done, allow to cool slightly, then cut the kernels off the cob into a large mixing bowl.
Prepare the Salad: To the bowl with grilled corn kernels, add the minced red onion, crumbled cotija cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, cumin, chili powder, black pepper, paprika, optional cayenne, chopped cilantro, and fresh lime juice. Mix everything thoroughly until the ingredients are well combined, creating a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy salad.
Serve: This Mexican Street Corn Salad can be enjoyed warm right after mixing, or you can chill it in the refrigerator before serving. It makes a fantastic side dish for barbecues, picnics, or as a flavorful snack.

Notes

You can add extra cayenne pepper if you prefer more heat.
For a smoky flavor without a grill, char the corn under a broiler or on a stovetop grill pan.
Substitute feta cheese for cotija if unavailable, although flavor will differ slightly.
Use crema or sour cream based on availability and preference.
Best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.