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Best Mexican Street Corn Salad - Perfect Flavor Elotes Recipe with Pro Tips

This authentic Mexican street corn salad captures the flavors of traditional elotes in an easy-to-serve format. It combines sweet grilled corn with creamy dressing, zesty lime, and savory cotija cheese for a perfect summer side dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 ears fresh corn, husked
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 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. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the corn with a light coating of oil and grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until kernels are tender and slightly charred. Alternatively, you can roast the corn in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  3. Once the corn is cool enough to handle, carefully cut the kernels off the cobs. Add the corn kernels to the dressing along with red onion and cilantro. Gently toss to combine.
  4. Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese, reserving some for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  5. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, garnish with additional cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

For maximum flavor, don't be afraid to get some char on your corn. The salad tastes better when made a few hours ahead as flavors have time to develop. If dressing seems too thick, thin with a tablespoon of lime juice or water.