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Ultimate Mexican Street Corn Salad - Authentic Elotes Style Recipe with Pro Tips

This authentic Mexican street corn salad captures all the vibrant flavors of traditional elotes in an easy-to-serve salad format. Perfect for summer gatherings, BBQs, or as a flavorful side dish, this recipe combines grilled corn with creamy dressing, tangy lime, and savory cotija cheese for an unforgettable taste experience.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 ears fresh corn, husked
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the husked corn directly on the grill grates and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the corn is tender and has nice char marks.
  2. While the corn is grilling, prepare the dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using.
  3. Once the corn is cooked and slightly cooled, carefully cut the kernels off the cobs using a sharp knife. Add the corn kernels to the dressing mixture.
  4. Stir in the crumbled cotija cheese, chopped red onion, and fresh cilantro. Mix gently until all ingredients are well combined.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  6. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime wedges on the side.

Notes

For maximum flavor, don't be afraid to get some good char on the corn. The smoky flavor is essential for authentic elotes taste. This salad actually tastes better when made a few hours ahead as the resting time allows flavors to develop fully.