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Tex-Mex Street Corn Salad

Tex-Mex Street Corn Salad: The Ultimate, Smoky, Creamy Fiesta Side Dish


  • Author: David Andersson
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

At its core, the Tex-Mex Street Corn Salad is a deconstructed, souped-up version of its Mexican inspiration, Esquites, which itself is the cup-served, off-the-cob version of Elote (street corn on the cob). However, calling it a mere “version” does it a disservice. This salad takes the fundamental, universally loved elements of street corn—the smoky, charred kernels, the creamy, tangy binder, the punch of lime, and the salty cheese—and amplifies them with classic Tex-Mex additions.

 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups corn kernels (about 5–6 ears of fresh corn or 1 bag frozen corn, thawed)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

  • 1 red bell pepper, diced

  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped

  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional for heat)

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise

  • ¼ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

  • ½ cup cotija cheese (or feta, if unavailable), crumbled

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • ½ teaspoon chili powder

  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

  • ¼ teaspoon cumin

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • Optional toppings: avocado slices, hot sauce, extra cheese, crushed tortilla chips


Instructions

  • Char the Corn:

    • Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.

    • Add corn and a drizzle of olive oil. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until corn is lightly charred.
      (If using fresh corn on the cob, grill or roast until lightly blackened, then cut off kernels.)

  • Sauté Veggies:

    • Add diced red bell pepper and jalapeño to the pan. Sauté 2–3 minutes until softened.

    • Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  • Make the Dressing:

    • In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.

  • Combine Everything:

    • Add the corn mixture to the bowl with the dressing.

    • Stir in red onion, cotija cheese, and cilantro. Mix until evenly coated.

  • Serve:

    • Serve warm or chilled.

    • Garnish with extra cotija cheese, cilantro, and a sprinkle of chili powder or hot sauce if desired.

Notes

This vibrant, zesty salad is perfect as a side for barbecues, tacos, or grilled meats. For an extra kick, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or a dash of smoked paprika before serving.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad / Side Dish
  • Method: Grilling / Mixing
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 0g

Keywords: Creamy Tex-Mex Corn Salad; Esquites Salad Recipe; Mexican Street Corn Salad