Print

Flavorful Elote Corn Salad Recipe with Easy Creamy Spicy Dressing

elote corn salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A bright and bold Mexican-inspired corn salad featuring smoky roasted corn and a creamy, spicy dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked (or about 4 cups frozen corn, thawed and patted dry)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s recommended)
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • Juice of 1 large lime
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder, plus extra for sprinkling
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup queso fresco or cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 small jalapeño, finely diced (optional, seeds removed for milder heat)

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place husked corn directly on grill grates and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes until evenly charred with golden spots. For frozen corn, heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add corn kernels, and cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to get some char.
  2. Remove corn from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut kernels off the cob into a large bowl, avoiding the tough core.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning and add diced jalapeño if desired for extra heat.
  4. Pour dressing over corn kernels and toss gently to coat. Fold in chopped cilantro and crumbled queso fresco last to keep cheese chunky.
  5. Cover salad and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld.
  6. Before serving, sprinkle extra chili powder or smoked paprika on top and garnish with a lime wedge.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and use vegan mayo. If fresh corn is unavailable, frozen corn works well when roasted in a hot pan. Adding toasted pepitas or crushed tortilla chips before serving adds a nice crunch. Adjust chili powder and jalapeño to control spice level. Letting the salad rest in the fridge enhances flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote, corn salad, creamy spicy dressing, Mexican street corn, summer salad, grilled corn, easy side dish

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/flavorful-elote-corn-salad-recipe-with-easy-creamy-spicy-dressing/