Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad

If you’re looking to kick up your Taco Tuesday or next BBQ, you’ve got to try this Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad! It’s the perfect side dish this Summer or ANY time of the year!

The Perfect Mexican Food Side Dish

If you’re looking for easy Mexican side dish recipes, this is one of the easiest! An in my humble opinion, it’s also one of the Best Mexican side dishes.

Shew, we’ve had some hot and humid days this Summer – according to reports, the hottest on record! – but this Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad will help you forget about that.  

What is Mexican Street Corn?

In Mexico, “elote” which means corn cob in Spanish, is typically sold as street food. Street corn salad is simply a Mexican Corn Salad and sometimes called Esquites. Street

Corn Salad is colorful, cool, sweet, creamy, cheesy, a little crunchy, and has just a hint of a spicy bite. It’s a perfect companion for tacos, a cinco de mayo party, your next fiesta, or add it as a side dish to your grilled BBQ favorites. 

I even ate the leftovers as Street Corn Dip with tortilla chips the next day…and I didn’t share. HashtagSorryNotSorry.

What Kind of Corn is Used in Mexican Street Corn

You can use fresh corn, frozen corn or canned corn – it all works! Because of the time of year, I was able to use corn right off the cob.

If you’re using canned corn, try to get the crisp, sweet version. If you’re using frozen, simply rinse the frozen corn with water until it’s not frozen anymore.

I’ve made this recipe so many times – depending on the time of the year, I use whatever is easily available to me.

Summertime corn has got to be the BEST. With its crisp sweetness, smothered in butter, with a little salt? YUM.

Ingredients in Healthy Mexican Street Corn Recipe

This simple recipe uses simple ingredients. You can choose to use what you have in your pantry or depending on the time of year, use fresh ingredients. The best part is no matter how you make it, your taste buds will thank you!

• 4 cups sweet corn, fresh, canned or frozen
• 1/4 cup Mayo
• 1/2 tsp Chili powder
• Dash Cayenne pepper for smoky flavors
• 1 tsp Garlic, minced
• Fresh lime juice
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 1 Tbsp Diced jarred jalapeno or fresh jalapenos, optional
• 1/3 cup Mexican cheese, Cotija cheese or shredded cheese of your choice
• 1 Tbsp Parsley or fresh Cilantro, chopped, optional
• Other options to add depending on your taste: red bell pepper, cheddar cheese, feta cheese

How To Make Mexican Street Corn

For this recipe, as I mentioned, you don’t have to use fresh corn for this Street Corn Dip – frozen corn or even canned (the crisp, sweet brand) will be just as delicious. 

If you are using corn on the cob, grill or roast it. Then cut it off the cob.

1. Cook your corn if using fresh corn, let it cool, then cut it off the cob. 
2. If you are using canned, drain it. If you are using frozen, rinse and thaw.
3. In a medium sized bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients, add more spices if desired. Mix in corn kernels. 
4. You can either serve this right away or set it in the fridge for about 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

You don’t have to save this recipe for just the Summer; you can enjoy it all year round!

My friend shared this recipe from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen, and I adapted it a bit to fit our tastes. Hubby loved it and we’ll definitely be making it again and again. 

I hope you get to try this delish salad; I really think you’ll love it as much as we do!

What Do I Serve With Mexican Street Corn Salad

Any of your favorite grilled proteins like grilled chicken, beef like carne asada, grilled shrimp or grilled pork chops. The next time you make burritos or tacos for taco night, add this as a tasty sides dish! We had these alongside Chicken Tacos and it was the perfect addition!

Can I Leave Out The Jalapeños

Absolutely! Make it as spicy as you wish or leave the jalapeños out – it’ll still be great.

How Long Does Street Corn Salad Last

This perfect Mexican side dish will last in your fridge for 3-4 days so it is perfect to make ahead. In fact, I think the longer it sits, the tastier it is.

Can You Serve Street Corn as a Main Dish

Absolutely! Make this a main course and simply top it off with your favorite protein like grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, grilled steak

Some Ideas for Other Delicious Mexican Side Dishes

If you’re looking for a few other popular side dishes to serve, here are some great ideas for favorite Mexican sides:

• Refried beans or Mexican black beans
• Mexican rice, Spanish rice or white rice
• Mexican cornbread
• Mexican Potato Salad
• Simple guacamole

Post updated June 9, 2022

If you make this recipe, snap a pic & tag me on Instagram @ahealthymakeover – I love to see your creations!

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