Description
Mexican street corn salad celebrates esquites with charred corn, zesty lime, and creamy cotija cheese. Street-style flavors blend in a quick, easy side dish perfect for summer gatherings and barbecues.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ears corn (or 4–5 cups canned/frozen corn)
- ½ cup (4 fl oz) cotija cheese, grated or crumbled
- 3 tbsps mayonnaise (or mix half mayo and half sour cream)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2–3 leaves epazote (or basil)
- 1 tsp cilantro (or parsley)
- 2 tsps Tajín powder
- 2 tsps Cholula hot sauce
Instructions
- Kernel Preparation: Extract corn kernels from cobs or use canned/frozen corn, ensuring uniform size and texture.
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat skillet, melt butter, and sauté epazote and garlic until fragrant, releasing their robust flavors for approximately 5 minutes over medium-high heat.
- Corn Transformation: Introduce corn kernels to skillet, roasting until edges caramelize and develop a golden, crisp exterior.
- Flavor Fusion: Transfer corn to mixing bowl, incorporating lime juice, Tajín, Cholula sauce, cilantro, and mayonnaise, ensuring complete and even coating of kernels.
- Cheese Finale: Generously sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese over the mixture, creating a rich, creamy topping that complements the corn’s vibrant profile.
Notes
- Corn Selection Matters: Choose fresh corn for the best flavor and texture, or use high-quality frozen/canned corn as a convenient alternative.
- Caramelize with Care: Medium-high heat is crucial for developing those golden, slightly charred corn edges that add depth and complexity to the dish.
- Seasoning Balance: Adjust Tajín, Cholula, and lime juice to your taste preference, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your palate.
- Cheese Tip: Crumble cotija cheese just before serving to maintain its crumbly texture and prevent moisture absorption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg