A delicious and vibrant Mexican Street Corn Salad made with charred corn, creamy dressing, and fresh herbs.
Author:Alex Lee
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Salad
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Mexican
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
4 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen, about 5–6 ears of corn)
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
½ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta if you can’t find cotija)
1 garlic clove, minced
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Start by charring the corn to develop a deep, smoky flavor. If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob.
For frozen corn, ensure it’s thawed and patted dry to remove excess moisture. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter.
Add the corn and cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kernels develop a golden-brown char.
While the corn cools slightly, prepare the dressing in a large mixing bowl by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
Add the slightly cooled corn to the bowl with the dressing and stir until each kernel is well-coated.
Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro.
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with additional cotija cheese and a sprinkle of chili powder. Squeeze lime just before serving to enhance flavors.
Notes
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste.
Add cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors meld.