Mexican Street Corn Salad (Printable)

Sweet corn, creamy dressing, and Cotija blend for a refreshing, vibrant side ideal for summer meals.

# What Goes In:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups fresh corn kernels (from approximately 5 ears or frozen, thawed)
02 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

06 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
09 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese & Garnish

13 - 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
14 - Additional Cotija cheese, for serving
15 - Lime wedges, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, about 5-7 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and allow corn to cool slightly.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk until dressing is smooth.
03 - Add the charred corn, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro to the bowl with dressing. Toss mixture until vegetables are evenly coated.
04 - Gently incorporate Cotija cheese into the mixture.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish. Top with additional Cotija cheese and garnish with lime wedges. Serve immediately or refrigerate 30 minutes for a chilled salad.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This salad tastes like something you’d order at a food truck, but comes together in just 30 minutes.
  • It’s the kind of dish that invites everyone to reach for seconds—and honestly, the leftovers are even better.
02 -
  • If you overcrowd the skillet, the corn steams instead of charring—it’ll turn out pale and bland.
  • The dressing mellows after chilling, so if you like bold flavor, add a little extra lime or chili powder right before serving.
03 -
  • Let the corn cool a bit before mixing to avoid a soupy salad.
  • To intensify flavors, roast the corn on the grill before adding.
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