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Authentic Mexican Street Corn Salad - Easy Elotes Style Recipe

This vibrant Mexican street corn salad brings all the authentic flavors of traditional elotes right to your table in an easy-to-serve salad format. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a flavorful side dish, this recipe combines sweet corn with creamy dressing, zesty lime, and savory cotija cheese for an unforgettable taste experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (about 8 ears)
  • 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 chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the corn according to your preference. You can grill it for smoky flavor, boil it, or use frozen corn that's been thawed. If grilling, brush ears with oil and cook until slightly charred, then cut kernels off the cob.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
  3. Add the corn kernels, red onion, and cilantro to the dressing. Gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
  4. Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese, reserving a little for garnish. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This resting time is crucial for developing the authentic street corn flavor.
  6. Before serving, give the salad a final stir and garnish with additional cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime wedges on the side.

Notes

For best results, use fresh corn when in season. The salad tastes better when made a few hours ahead to allow flavors to meld. Can substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise/sour cream for a lighter version. Feta cheese can substitute for cotija if unavailable.