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Classic Mexican Street Corn Salad: Easy Elotes-Style Recipe

This vibrant Mexican street corn salad brings all the authentic flavors of traditional elotes right to your table in an easy-to-serve format. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a flavorful side dish for weeknight dinners, this recipe captures the essence of Mexican street food with creamy dressing, zesty lime, and savory cotija cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (about 8 ears)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 1/2 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. Cook the corn using your preferred method. You can grill it for smoky flavor, boil it, or use frozen corn that's been thawed. If grilling, brush corn with oil and cook until slightly charred, about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally.
  2. Once the corn is cooked and slightly cooled, cut the kernels off the cob if using fresh corn. Place the corn in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). This creamy dressing is what gives the salad its signature flavor.
  4. Pour the dressing over the corn and mix well to combine. Add the red onion, cilantro, and half of the cotija cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and top with the remaining cotija cheese. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

For authentic elotes flavor, grilling the corn is highly recommended. The salad tastes better when made a few hours ahead - just wait to add the final cotija cheese topping until right before serving. Adjust spice level by reducing or omitting cayenne pepper for milder flavor.