Description
Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining charred sweet corn with a tangy, creamy dressing and fresh vegetables. Perfect as a side or a party dish, this recipe brings bold Mexican-inspired flavors to your table with easy stovetop cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons real mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups sweet corn kernels (cut off the cobs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1 cup freshly chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1/2 cup green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup red onion (chopped)
- 1 jalapeño pepper (seeded and chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup Cojita cheese (crumbled)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, combine lime juice, mayonnaise, ground cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Use a hand whisk to incorporate well until the mayonnaise is mostly dissolved. Set aside or chill until ready to use.
- Cook the corn: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the sweet corn kernels and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until some kernels get nicely charred. Then, turn off the heat.
- Mix vegetables and cheese: Add parmesan cheese, chopped cilantro, red bell pepper, green onions, red onion, jalapeño, and garlic powder to the skillet with the corn. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Toss with dressing and serve: Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and toss thoroughly to coat. Sprinkle crumbled Cojita cheese on top. Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled as preferred.
Notes
- This salad is quick to prepare, making it perfect for last-minute parties or potlucks.
- You can substitute Cojita cheese with feta cheese if preferred.
- For more heat, keep the seeds in the jalapeño or add extra.
- The dressing can be made a day ahead to enhance flavors.
- Serve with tortilla chips or as a side to grilled meats for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 274 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
