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Authentic Mexican Street Corn Salad - Creamy Elotes Style Recipe

This creamy and zesty Mexican street corn salad captures the authentic flavors of traditional elotes in an easy-to-serve format, combining sweet corn with tangy lime, spicy chili, and rich cotija cheese. Perfect for summer gatherings, barbecues, or as a refreshing side dish that's sure to become a potluck favorite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (about 8 ears)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prepare the corn: If using fresh corn, husk and remove silk. Grill for 10-12 minutes until slightly charred or boil for 5-7 minutes until tender. For frozen corn, thaw and pat dry. Cut kernels from the cob if using fresh corn.
  2. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) until smooth and well-combined.
  3. Combine ingredients: Add the corn kernels to the dressing mixture. Gently fold in the cotija cheese, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  4. Serve and enjoy: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with additional cotija cheese, chili powder, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Grilling the corn adds a wonderful smoky flavor. The salad tastes better when made a few hours ahead as flavors develop. Adjust spice level by removing jalapeño seeds or adding extra cayenne. Feta cheese can substitute for cotija.