5-Minute Mexican Street Corn Salad
This 5-Minute Mexican Street Corn Salad is creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy. Sweet corn, cotija cheese, lime, and chili come together in an easy, elote-inspired summer side dish.
Method
- If using frozen corn, microwave 1 minute to thaw. Drain well.
- Mix mayo, lime juice and chili powder in bowl.
- Add corn and toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer to serving dish.
- Top with crumbled cotija cheese.
- Garnish with extra cilantro and chili powder.
Microwave times are for a 1,000 W microwave, the usual US size. In an 800 W microwave (common in the UK and Europe) add about a quarter more time; at 1,200 W check a little early.
This 5-Minute Mexican Street Corn Salad brings all the bold, vibrant flavors of classic elote into a quick and easy salad. Sweet corn kernels are tossed with creamy mayonnaise, tangy lime juice, savory cotija cheese, and a hint of chili for a slightly spicy kick.
Ready in just 5 minutes, this Mexican street corn salad is perfect as a side dish for BBQs, weeknight dinners, or summer parties. It’s creamy, tangy, slightly spicy, and bursting with flavor — all without the hassle of grilling whole corn on the cob.
If you want a fast, flavorful, and easy Mexican-inspired salad that impresses every time, this 5-minute elote-style salad is a must-try.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 210 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
- Sugar
- 6 g
- Sodium
- 380 mg
Values are estimates based on USDA FoodData Central and vary with brands and portioning.
Chef notes
Canned corn works perfectly here! Drain very well to prevent watery salad.
Substitutions
- Cotija: Feta cheese or parmesan — Mayo: Greek yogurt for lighter version|Canned corn: Grilled fresh corn (if you have time)
Serving suggestions
Serve as a side dish with tacos, grilled chicken, or at BBQ parties.
Storage
Refrigerate up to 3 days.
Reheating
Eat cold - best served chilled.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
Variations
- Elote: Serve on the cob with same toppings
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeños
- Creamy: Add extra mayo
Why it works
The combination of mayo and lime creates a creamy-tangy sauce that mimics authentic street corn.
Frequently asked questions
What's cotija?
Aged Mexican cheese similar to feta.
Is this authentic?
Inspired by traditional Mexican street corn.
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