5.0 from 396 votes
Mexican Corn Salad
Recipe video above. A Can't-Stop-Eating-It delicious way to serve corn, this is a giant salad form of the famous Mexican Street food Esquites, a corn salad sold in cups that you can eat as you wander the streets! I love the way the creamy lime dressing melts into the hot corn as you toss it all together.I urge you to use fresh corn if you can, but this is still super made with frozen corn. Wonderful side dish, especially for Mexican or South Western themed menus!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6 - 8 as a side
Calories: 215 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 5 cups corn cut from the cob (~4 large ears) (or frozen corn, not thawed, Note 1)
- 2 tbsp / 30g butter
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (can cut down to 2 tbsp)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or yoghurt)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese , finely grated (Note 1)
- 1 tbsp Jalapeño , deseeded and finely chopped (optional)
- 1 cup Coriander / cilantro leaves , roughly chopped
- 1 cup green onion , finely sliced (~2 stems)
- 1/2 red onion , finely chopped
- 2 - 3 tbsp lime juice , fresh (plus more to taste)
Garnishes
- 60g / 2 oz Cotija or feta , crumbled (optional) (Note 2)
- Jalapeno slices, coriander/cilantro leaves, lime wedges , optional
Instructions
- Cut off kernels: Cut the corn off the cob (see photo in post or video for how I do this without getting corn everywhere!) If using frozen, do not thaw.
- Brown corn: Melt butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and stir for 10 seconds. Add corn and cook for 5 minutes, stirring every now and then, until you get lovely golden brown bits and the corn is cooked and sweet (don't stir constantly, harder to brown).
- Season corn: Add salt and pepper halfway through cooking corn.
- Toss with dressing: Transfer corn into large bowl. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice and parmesan. Toss well to combine - heat will "melt" dressing. Add coriander/cilantro, red onion, green onion and jalaepno. Toss again.
- Serve: Transfer to serving bowl. Crumble over cotija/feta and garnishes of choice. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Corn - you'll get the best results using fresh corn because it's raw and it browns better. But it is still REALLY delicious made with frozen corn - cook from frozen. Canned is not as good because it's so wet, it doesn't brown as well but can work - dry it off as best you can!
- Cotija is a Mexican Cheese which is not available in Australia (to my knowledge). It's like Feta but not as salty. It's just a garnish, so it's not essential.
- Chipotle or Chili Powder - A touch of Chipotle or US Chili Powder would not go astray here. I don't add them because I think this is super tasty as it is, but a little sprinkle mixed through or on top would be lovely.
- Variations - Don't feel obliged to strictly follow the recipe for the add ins. You could use normal onion instead of red (but cut it down a bit because it's sharper) or eschallots, or just use more shallots/scallions. If you are one of those people who cannot stand coriander/cilantro, swap it for parsley. Jalapeño is optional, and you can sub with canned if you prefer. Or even use another spicy fresh chilli!
- Light on dressing! This recipe is not meant to be coated thickly with mayo, like potato salad. Because the mayo and sour cream are added while the corn is hot, they melt and become a dressing. Feel free to increase/decrease the amount of mayo and/or sour cream if you want more/less!
- Nutrition per serving, assuming 8 servings.
Nutrition Information
Serving
120g
Calories
215cal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
19mg
(6%)
Sodium
327mg
(14%)
Potassium
296mg
(8%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
720IU
(14%)
Vitamin C
14mg
(16%)
Calcium
98mg
(10%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6- 8 as a side
Amount Per Serving
Calories 215
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 120g | |
| Calories | 215cal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 19mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 327mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 296mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 720IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 98mg | 10% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.