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Close-up of a bowl of Mexican Street Corn Salad, featuring grilled corn, creamy dressing, crumbled cheese, and cilantro.

Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe with Cotija and Lime

This Mexican Street Corn Salad brings all the bold flavors of classic street corn into a simple bowl that is easy to serve and share. Sweet charred corn is tossed with a creamy lime dressing, cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a touch of chili powder for a bright and satisfying side dish. Perfect for summer gatherings, taco nights, and meal prep.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Corn and Dressing
  • 4 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen and thawed, or canned and drained)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and corn. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn develops light charred spots.
  2. Transfer the corn to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Pour the dressing over the corn and toss until evenly coated.
  5. Add the cotija cheese, cilantro, and red onion. Gently stir to combine.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes for even more flavor before serving.

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh summer corn and lightly char it before mixing. A short chill time allows the dressing to absorb into the corn and enhances the overall taste.