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Authentic Mexican Esquites Corn Salad - Creamy Street Corn Off the Cob

This authentic Mexican esquites corn salad brings the vibrant flavors of traditional street food to your table with creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy corn served conveniently off the cob. Perfect for summer gatherings and BBQs, it features grilled corn, cotija cheese, and a zesty chili-lime dressing that transports your taste buds to Mexican markets.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 ears fresh corn, husked
  • 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 cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat 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 some charred spots. Alternatively, you can roast the corn in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes.
  2. While the corn is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, and minced garlic in a large bowl. This creamy base will coat the corn perfectly.
  3. Once the corn is cool enough to handle, carefully cut the kernels off the cobs using a sharp knife. Add the corn kernels to the dressing bowl along with the crumbled cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, red onion, and jalapeño. Gently toss everything together until well combined.
  4. Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper as needed. For best flavor, let the salad sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve with extra lime wedges and a sprinkle of additional cotija cheese and chili powder on top.

Notes

For extra smoky flavor, char the corn directly over an open flame on your stovetop if you don't have a grill. Make ahead tip: You can prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables in advance, then combine everything just before serving. If cotija cheese is unavailable, feta cheese makes a good substitute.