Mexican street corn salad, also known as esquites, takes all the crave-worthy flavors of classic elote and transforms them into a fresh, tangy, and spoonable side dish. It’s creamy, smoky, a little spicy, and packed with lime juice and cheese – basically summer in a bowl. If you love the flavor of grilled corn slathered with mayo, chili powder, and cotija cheese, this salad is your new favorite way to enjoy it without the mess.
The heart of the dish is sweet corn. It’s typically grilled or charred in a skillet until golden and slightly smoky, which gives the salad its signature depth. The warm kernels are then tossed with creamy mayo or sour cream, crumbly cotija cheese, fresh lime juice, and chili powder for that irresistible combination of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy. Some versions also include garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, or red onion to give the salad extra bite and brightness.
What makes Mexican street corn salad so appealing – aside from the flavor – is its versatility. It can be served warm or cold, as a side dish or even as a topping. Spoon it over tacos, pile it onto nachos, or add it to a grain bowl. It’s also a guaranteed hit at barbecues and potlucks because it pairs well with grilled meats, burgers, and just about anything off the grill.
For those who like to tweak things, this salad is super easy to customize. Add avocado chunks for creaminess, swap cotija for feta if you can’t find it, or adjust the spice level with more or less chili. A dash of smoked paprika adds depth, while extra lime juice makes it pop even more.
Mexican street corn salad is bold, festive, and packed with flavor in every bite. It captures everything people love about street food – indulgent, colorful, and joyfully messy – but puts it in a bowl so you can dig in with a fork.
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 jalapeño seeded and diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grill the corn over medium heat until charred, about 10 minutes. Let cool and then cut the kernels off the cob.
- In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the grilled corn to the bowl and toss to combine.
- Serve the salad chilled and garnish with additional cotija cheese and cilantro, if desired.
Nutrition
I dunno, maybe I’m doing it wrong but mine tasted kinda bland. I think it needs more cheese or something. Not a fan.
Who needs a recipe? Just throw everything in a bowl and mix 🤷♂️
This is an awesome recipe! So fresh and flavorful. The corn gets perfectly charred on the grill. Definitely a hit at my BBQ!
Got this recipe from my friend and it was a great addition to our taco night! Highly recommend!
This sounds absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try it for my next BBQ. Thanks for sharing! 🌽
I don’t know, is it really that good? My last corn salad turned out bland. Maybe I should add more spice or something.
Best salad ever! Makes me feel like I’m on the streets of Mexico! So good!
I feel like jalapenos are too spicy for some, maybe you should offer a mild version for the kids? Just saying!
I have a question. Can I use frozen corn? I don’t have fresh corn right now.
I didn’t have cotija cheese, so I used feta instead. It worked ok, but I think I missed the real flavor of the dish. Still, not bad!
Yum!! So good and easy to make. Totally impresses my friends at BBQs. 10/10 recommend this recipe! 🌽❤️
Looks good but isn’t corn salad just…corn? I mean, what’s so special about it? 🤔
I tried it too, and wow, it was a hit! Everyone loved it, thanks for sharing! 🌽✨
What’s with all the mayo? Too much! I prefer a lighter version without all that creaminess. Anyone else think so?
Nah, I love mayo! It makes everything taste better. Maybe just use less? But why skip the creamy goodness?
I get what you’re saying! Too much mayo can be heavy. I like it lighter too. Have you tried yogurt instead?
I dunno, it tasted weird to me. Maybe it’s the cilantro? I just couldn’t get into it. Not gonna make it again, sorry.
This salad was amazing! So fresh and flavorful, just like the ones I had in Mexico. Will be making this again for sure!
This is basically elote vibes but in salad form—so good. I charred the corn a little more and it made the whole thing pop. Next time I’ll add a tiny pinch of smoked paprika too.
Uh… “1 jalapeño” can mean like either mild or nuclear depending on the pepper. Mine was nuclear. RIP dinner.
Ugh! This was not good. Tried it for a party and no one took seconds. Way too mayo-y for my taste.
I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe you could try less mayo next time? It’s a fine balance with the flavors. 🥴
Corn grilled for 10 minutes feels long—mine got a bit too charred and dry. Still tasty, just next time I’ll watch it closer.
I will have 2 keep this recipe. So easy!!! My kids even liked it! What a miracle 🙂
Seems too complicated for just corn. How can corn taste so good? 😕
Corn is corn. This is just another way to eat it. Meh. ⭐⭐
Really? You think so? I feel like this is a very popular dish. Corn has its charms. Maybe try different toppings next time?
I disagree! This salad has so much flavor! Corn can be amazing with the right dressing. 🌽❤️
What is cotija cheese? Can I use regular cheese? 🤔
Cotija cheese is a crumbly cheese that adds a unique flavor, but you can use regular cheese if that’s what you have! Just keep in mind it won’t taste quite the same.
What? Regular cheese? Nah, that ain’t the same! You gotta get cotija if you want it to taste right. 😅
How can this be Mexican? Where’s the spice? It was bland for me.
Best salad I ever made, hands down! So fresh and delicious! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
That salad sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing! 😊
Super delish! I used feta cheese instead of cotija and it worked fine.
Feta sounds interesting, I’ll have to try it! Glad it worked for you.
Bro, this salad be hitting different. Yum! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This salad is a total winner! The flavors are off the charts. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
not bad but corn is on the cob for a reason!!! why cut it off?
Grilling corn for 10 minutes was perfect. I added an extra sprinkle of chili powder and it gave it a nice kick. My kids complained, but secretly they ate it anyway lol.
Sounds awesome! I always do the extra chili powder too—street corn should have some attitude 😄 My kids are the same; they complain first then go back for seconds.
Yum! I made this for a BBQ and everyone loved it! Will definitely be making again. 🌽❤️
That’s awesome! I love hearing when people enjoy my recipes! 🌽✨
BBQ? I always thought corn was for soup… 🤷♂️
Not gonna lie, I thought it would taste more like elote. It’s still good, just more salad-y than street corn-y.
Honestly I get that—this one’s more “street corn vibes” than actual elote-on-a-stick. I like it though because the creamy dressing clings to the kernels like salad-y comfort food.
Maybe you didn’t char it enough? I try to get darker spots on the corn, and I add a little extra chili powder and lime at the end. It turns out way less salad-y for me. Also… cotija is kinda salty so don’t overdo salt.
Too much mayo for my taste, I would cut it down to 2 tablespoons.
This is seriously addictive—creamy, tangy, with that charred corn flavor. I used feta instead of cotija once and it still worked great.
Yes!! The charred corn with the lime + chili powder is sooo good. I did swap in queso fresco and it was still tangy/creamy—def making again.
Feta is fine but I feel like cotija gives it that saltier kick. Also i always forget to seed the jalapeno… still ate it tho 😅 Charred corn really makes it.
I don’t know about this… corn salad? Sounds weird to me. I prefer my corn straight off the cob. ⭐⭐⭐
I get where you’re coming from! But trust me, this salad is bomb! The flavors just blend so well, you might change your mind. Give it a shot! 🌽
Not gonna lie, I thought 1 clove of garlic would be too much—turns out it’s perfect. The lime + chili powder combo is awesome. Served it with tacos and it disappeared fast.
I don’t understand why you’d wanna put mayonnaise in salad. Gross! 🤢
I actually think the mayo adds a nice creaminess to the salad! It balances out the heat from the jalapeño. 😊
Mayonnaise? Yuck! Can’t believe people actually use that in food. What is wrong with ya? Just use olive oil!
This salad was a hit at our BBQ! So fresh and tangy. 😍
I’m glad to hear that! This salad is always a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for summer BBQs! 🌽
I tried this and it came out too salty. I think I put too much cotija cheese. Next time I won’t add extra salt. ⭐⭐⭐
I think you might have mismeasured the cheese! Cotija can be strong, so maybe just go easy next time. It’s still a delicious recipe! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Too salty? Nah, just use less cheese! This salad is supposed to be bold. Plus, I love the flavor of cotija, makes everything better! 😋
It was fine. Like… not bad, but not wow either. I think I under-salted because my corn tasted bland, and the cheese flavor didn’t come through enough.
Ah, that tracks. With Mexican street corn, salt is what makes the corn taste “pop,” and cotija is pretty salty too—if yours was blander, I’d definitely nudge the salt next time (and taste the mayo/sour cream base before adding the corn). Also, a little extra lime and chili powder can help the flavor come through.
Super yummy! I added some avocado and it was a hit at the BBQ!
Yum! I made this for a party and everyone loved it! Easy to make and very tasty! Totally will make again!
Tasty? I don’t know about that. Sounds kinda basic to me. I mean, corn, mayo, and cheese? Is that all it takes?
I’m so glad to hear that! This salad is the perfect summer dish, and it’s so easy to whip up. What did your guests think of the jalapeño? Spicy enough?
Really easy to make, but I felt like it was missing something. Maybe more spices next time? ⭐⭐⭐
Nah, it’s perfect as is! Don’t mess with perfection! 😤
I totally agree! A little taco seasoning could really kick it up a notch. 🌶️
Was easy but I forgot the lime. Still tasty tho. ☺️
I don’t like corn that much tbh, but my kids loved it! They gobbled it all up in minutes. So it’s a win for me!
My whole family loved this! Best corn salad ever! 😍
It was good but I expected more kick from the jalapeño. Maybe I’ll add more next time.
Not bad but I feel like it was missing something. Maybe more lime?
I made this without the cilantro and it was still good. Cilantro tastes like soap to me. Just saying! ⭐⭐⭐
This is good but calling it street corn salad is kinda fancy—it’s basically creamy corn with toppings. Either way, I’d still make it again.
Totally get what you mean—it’s “street corn” flavors, but in a salad bowl. I actually like the creamy + charred combo, so “fancy” or not, it still hits. 😄
I forgot to add lime… still good but I think it would’ve been better. ⭐⭐⭐
This was okay. I think it needs more chili powder. But I eat lots of spicy stuff.
I’m really skeptical about adding mayo to salad. It’s probably gonna taste weird.
Nah, mayo is gross. Just stick to oil or something. Cream in salad? No thanks!
I thought the same at first, but mayo actually adds a creamy texture that blends well with the flavors. You might be surprised!
Honestly, pretty tasty. I was worried about the mayo+sour cream thing but it comes out creamy and not heavy. Next time I’ll add a little more cilantro.
This was amazing! Tasted just like the street corn I had in Mexico. I added a little extra lime and it was perfection!
I was skeptical about using raw garlic, but mincing it small helped. The flavor punches through. Loved it as a side with tacos.
Totally get the skepticism—raw garlic can be strong. But mincing really does make it mellow and spreads the flavor nicely. Street corn salad with tacos is such a good move; I’m trying this exactly!
Easy recipe, but why you put sour cream? Makes it weird.
The sour cream actually adds creaminess and balance to the dish. It’s a common ingredient in Mexican flavors!
This salad is AMAZING! So fresh and full of flavor. Will definitely make it again.
Flavor is nice, but I think the ratio is off. Too creamy for me. Maybe reduce mayo/sour cream a touch and add more lime.
I made this for a party and everyone loved it. Just the right amount of spice!
This was amazing! So full of flavor and took me right back to Mexico. Will definitely make again!
I dunno man, I tried it but felt like it was missing something. Maybe a little more spice? Not bad, just not great.
I agree! A bit more spice could really kick it up a notch. Maybe add more jalapeño or some hot sauce next time?
Not really my thing. I like corn on the cob better.
Honestly, this was just corn with mayo. Where’s the magic? 🤷♂️
Meh… it was alright. I think it needed more flavor or something? Not sure what I was expecting but it didn’t wow me.
OMG this is delicious! Just what I needed.
Super easy to make! I tried it with frozen corn instead of fresh and it still turned out good. Will def make again!
I made this for my family dinner and they devoured it! Thanks for sharing! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That sounds amazing! I love how quick and easy this recipe is! Can’t wait to try it myself!
It’s just corn, how good can it really be? I’d rather have a good taco. Meh.
Corn is corn, but with all those toppings? Sounds kinda weird. I’d still pick a taco over this any day.
I think you’re missing out! This salad has so much flavor and is perfect for summer BBQs. Give it a try!
I tried this but used feta cheese instead. It didn’t taste the same 😟.
Is this really Mexican? My grandma used to make it different. This is okay, but not authentic at all.
Authentic? Naaah. But who cares? I love this salad!
I get what you’re saying. It’s not the same as how our grandmas made it, but this is still really tasty!
Loved it! The jalapeño gave it a nice kick. Will definitely make again! 🌶️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Glad you liked it! The jalapeño really does make a difference. Can’t wait to try it myself!
I don’t know about jalapeño in salad… seems weird to me but whatever floats your boat.
So easy! Also “cotija” is a pain to find where I live, so I used feta and it was still delicious. Would make again.
Mayonnaise? Yuck! I can’t with this recipe. ⭐
I tried this recipe but it wasn’t as good as I thought. The mayo was too much for me… maybe less mayo next time?
Is cotija cheese really necessary? Can I just use cheddar? 🤔
You can use cheddar, but it won’t taste the same! Cotija adds that special flavor. 🌽
Kinda weird that there’s no sweetness at all. Street corn usually has that roasted corn flavor plus maybe some sugar or something? I tried adding a drizzle of honey and it helped a lot. Otherwise bland.
I get what you mean. This one’s more tangy/creamy than sweet—lime + chili powder kinda does the “pop” instead. If you like it sweet, honey (or even a tiny bit of sugar) makes sense. Did you use much honey or just a drizzle?
Disagree—Mexican street corn isn’t supposed to be sweet sweet. The sweetness you’re tasting is probably from the corn when it chars or from the seasoning. Also honey throws off the balance with the lime. Next time try more lime or a pinch more chili powder + salt.
Made this for a BBQ and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it. Thx for the recipe!
I’m skeptical about mayo in salads. Doesn’t sound right. What’s with the combo? yall like this??
This salad is AMAZING! I love the flavors, it’s like a fiesta in my mouth! 🌽🎉
4 ears of corn? What’s wrong with 3? Seems kinda excessive, lol.
I’m not a fan of cilantro, any substitutes?
You could use parsley instead! It has a nice fresh flavor too.
Too much mayo for me. Couldn’t finish it. I’ll stick to plain corn next time.
Sour cream? Isn’t that like just weird? I didn’t like it. 2 stars.
This was a hit at my cookout! Everyone loved it! So flavorful and fresh. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sounds amazing! I gotta try this at my next BBQ. Mexican flavors are the best! 🌽✨
I dunno, seems a bit too much mayo and sour cream for my taste. Can’t imagine everyone loving it this much.
Absolutely loved this recipe! The flavors are amazing and it was super easy to make. Will definitely make again
No lie, I’m skeptical about mixing mayo and sour cream in a salad. But I tried it anyway and it actually clung to the corn nicely. I wouldn’t change much except maybe double the chili powder.
Yum, I love corn! I’m gonna try it with extra jalapeños! 🔥
That sounds awesome! Extra jalapeños will definitely kick it up a notch! 🌶️
I’m not sure about adding so many jalapeños… what if its too spicy? 🤔
Wow, this salad is amazing! The flavors are so fresh! Will definitely make it again.
I totally agree! This salad is a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for summer BBQs!
Not impressed. Corn salad should not be so creamy. Where’s the crunch? Disappointed! 😕
Had it at a barbecue and it was a hit! Everyone asked for more. Perfect summer dish!
Totally agree! This salad is bomb for summer BBQs. Can’t wait to make it again!
I dunno, sounds a bit weird with mayonnaise. Isn’t that kinda gross? But I guess some people like it?
Really tasty, but I used cotija and it came out super salty. I’d suggest tasting the cheese first (or going a bit lighter). Also, my jalapeño heat was intense even with seeds out.
I followed it pretty much exactly, but my cotija was more salty than expected. Next time I’ll maybe use a little less salt/cheese. Still delicious though.
I followed it exactly and mine turned out kinda watery? Like the corn released moisture when I mixed it. Maybe I let the corn cool too quickly or didn’t pat it dry. Still good though.
That makes sense—corn can absolutely dump moisture right when it’s warm. I always let it steam-dry/cool longer and then spread the kernels on a towel for a minute or two before mixing. Also, patting dry after cutting helps a ton.
Watery street corn salad is usually from too much lime or mayo, not the corn (imo). I’d try using less lime juice next time and maybe drain any extra liquid before chilling. Still, if it tastes good, you’re good.
Made this for a potluck and it disappeared fast. The char on the corn really helps, and the lime + chili powder combo is perfect. I used queso fresco and it still worked great!
Good recipe, but 1 jalapeño might be too spicy for my taste. I’ll use half next time and still keep the flavor.
Mine came out a bit bland—probably my jalapeño was weak and I didn’t add enough lime. Would recommend tasting the dressing before adding all the corn.
So good! Followed the steps exactly and it came out bright and flavorful. Next time I’ll add a little more lime juice for extra zing.
Sounds tasty but I’m not sure about the “bright” part—my jalapeño was mild so it needed more chili powder. Also I forgot to seed it once… still good though lol. Lime helped.
Yes!! I did it step by step too and it was super bright—like street corn in a bowl. I added extra lime and it honestly nailed the zing.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about mayonnaise + sour cream together, but it worked. Creamy, tangy, and the char from the corn really elevates it.
I’m still not sure about the mayo+sour cream part 😅 But if the corn is really charred, I guess it balances out. Any chance it tastes too “dairy” without extra cheese?
Same!! I thought mayo and sour cream would be weirdly heavy, but the tang + the char on the corn is soooo good. I also added a tiny bit more lime and it totally popped.
I didn’t have cotija, so I used parmesan + a bit of feta and it turned out okay. Might be missing that salty crumble vibe though.
Wait, you didn’t use cotija? I feel like that’s kinda the whole point 😅 Parmesan can be drier and feta’s flavor is different, but if it tasted good, then it’s fine. Did you char the corn enough or was it more like roasted?
Totally get that—cotija has that perfect salty, crumbly punch. Parmesan/feta is a solid backup though. Next time maybe use more feta for the “crumb vibe” and a tiny extra pinch of salt to match it.
Made it for a potluck and everyone kept going back for more. I chilled it like the recipe says—big difference vs serving warm.
I didn’t have cotija so I used feta… it was fine but not the same. Texture was a little drier and the flavor felt sharper.
Too much garlic for me. Like, it overpowered the cilantro. I’d cut it down to 1/2 clove next time or roast the garlic first.