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Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

This lightened-up Mexican street corn salad is a vibrant and creamy dish that embodies the essence of summer. Bursting with sweet corn, zesty lime, and rich cotija cheese, it’s perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, or a family dinner. Whether you use fresh or frozen corn, this salad is quick to prepare and packed with flavor. In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a delightful side that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Enjoy it warm or cold; it pairs beautifully with grilled meats or as a fresh taco filling.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh sweet corn or 16 oz bag frozen fire-roasted corn
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup cotija cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Corn: Grill fresh corn for about 2 minutes on each side until charred. Let cool and cut kernels off the cob. For frozen corn, thaw under running water or heat in a skillet until warm.
  2. Combine Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add corn kernels, diced onion, jalapeño, garlic, and cotija cheese. Toss gently to mix.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cilantro until smooth.
  4. Toss the Salad: Drizzle dressing over salad ingredients and mix until evenly coated. Top with additional cilantro and cotija cheese.
  5. Serve or Store: Serve immediately or chill in the fridge before serving. This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • Author: Juniper
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 280mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: For added freshness, use freshly chopped herbs. Adjust spice levels by modifying the amount of jalapeño. Consider adding diced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for extra color and crunch.