Description
A vibrant Mexican street food–inspired corn salad made with charred sweet corn, creamy lime dressing, Cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro for a smoky, tangy, and refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
- 6 ears fresh corn, shucked
- ¼ cup sour cream (or Mexican crema)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (optional)
- Juice of 2 fresh limes
- 1 medium clove garlic, finely grated
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (Ancho chili powder recommended)
- ¼ cup Cotija cheese, finely crumbled
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- Extra Cotija cheese for garnish
- Extra chopped cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
- Tajín or cayenne pepper for optional heat
Instructions
1. Preheat a grill to high heat and place the shucked corn directly on the grates
2. Grill the corn, turning every couple of minutes, until charred spots appear on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per side
3. Remove the corn from the grill and allow it to cool slightly until safe to handle
4. Stand each ear upright and carefully cut the kernels off the cob using a sharp knife
5. Transfer the corn kernels to a large mixing bowl
6. Add sour cream, mayonnaise if using, lime juice, grated garlic, chopped cilantro, chili powder, and Cotija cheese
7. Gently stir until everything is evenly combined and coated
8. Season with kosher salt to taste, adjusting lime juice or chili powder if desired
9. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or platter
10. Garnish with extra Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and a sprinkle of Tajín or cayenne before serving
Notes
For extra smoky flavor, make sure the corn develops visible char marks while grilling.
If you do not have a grill, use a grill pan on the stovetop or broil the corn in the oven.
Feta cheese can be used as a substitute if Cotija cheese is unavailable.
Taste before adding extra salt because Cotija cheese is naturally salty.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg