Description
This creamy, tangy Summer Street Corn Salad captures all the smoky goodness of Mexican street corn in an easy-to-scoop salad form. Perfect for cookouts, picnics, or as a fresh side dish that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 ears of fresh corn, husks removed (or 3 cups frozen corn, thawed)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, plus extra for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Corn: If grilling, brush corn with a little oil and grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred (about 8–10 minutes). Let cool slightly, then carefully slice the kernels off the cob. No grill? You can pan-sear the kernels in a hot skillet for 5–7 minutes until they get some color.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Combine Everything: Add the corn kernels, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and cotija cheese to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together until the corn is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 15–20 minutes before serving. Right before serving, give it a quick stir and sprinkle with extra cotija, chili powder, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Notes
Pro Tip: If you love a smoky flavor but don’t have a grill, add a pinch of extra smoked paprika or even a drop of liquid smoke to the dressing. For a lighter version, swap regular mayo for Greek yogurt. Vegan? Use vegan mayo, skip the cotija, and add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg