Fiery Mexican Street Corn Salad

Prepare to be captivated by this extraordinary Spicy Mexican Corn Salad! It perfectly captures all the vibrant, smoky, and zesty flavors of traditional elotes, or Mexican street corn, but with the added convenience of no grilling required. This recipe simplifies the process, allowing you to easily whip up a sensational side dish that will transport your taste buds straight to the bustling streets of Mexico. Just a few simple chops and mixes are all it takes to create a culinary masterpiece that’s guaranteed to impress.

There’s nothing quite like the sweetness of fresh, local corn during peak season. We absolutely adore incorporating this versatile ingredient into countless dishes, from a classic Grilled Corn on the Cob with Basil Butter to hearty chowders. When fresh sweet corn is abundant, make sure to grab plenty, because this particular Elote Salad recipe is an absolute game-changer. It’s a delightful celebration of summer’s bounty, transforming humble corn into an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Spicy Mexican Street Corn Salad in a white tureen with limes and tomatoes.

Contents

Why This Spicy Mexican Corn Salad Will Become Your New Favorite

This isn’t just another corn salad; it’s a vibrant symphony of flavors and textures designed to be a standout at any meal. Drawing inspiration from a notable culinary figure and refined through thoughtful adjustments, this particular Spicy Mexican Corn Salad offers an unparalleled taste experience. Here’s why it deserves a prime spot in your recipe collection:

A Flavorful Evolution from a Classic: My culinary journey for this recipe began with Mario Batali’s corn salad, featured on The Chew. While delicious, I wanted to enhance its texture and balance the heat for a broader appeal. My modifications involved removing radishes, which can sometimes be overpowering, and introducing the crisp freshness of cucumber and the vibrant sweetness of red bell pepper. These additions provide a delightful crunch and beautiful color. I also carefully reduced the cayenne pepper, ensuring the salad has a pleasant warmth without overwhelming those with a more “sensitive” palate – though, admittedly, I wouldn’t have minded a bit more spice myself!
The Epitome of Summer Freshness: Imagine succulent, lightly steamed kernels of fresh sweet corn, sliced straight off the cob, mingling with an array of crisp vegetables. All of this is then generously coated in a luxurious, creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing infused with a tantalizing kick of spice. This Mexican Street Corn Salad embodies the essence of summer, delivering bright, refreshing, and deeply satisfying flavors in every single bite. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season’s freshest produce.
The Ultimate Versatile Side Dish: Looking for a fantastic accompaniment to your next Mexican-themed dinner? This Spicy Corn Salad Recipe is your answer. Its bold and refreshing profile makes it an ideal partner for savory tacos, cheesy quesadillas, rich enchiladas, or even a simple grilled chicken. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that adds a gourmet touch to casual weeknight meals and festive gatherings alike.
A Top-Tier Culinary Creation: This recipe quickly ascended to the top of my list for new summer dishes. Its unique combination of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy elements creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that’s truly addictive. Once you try this Elote Salad, you’ll understand why it’s consistently praised and why it garners rave reviews from everyone who tastes it.

Key Ingredients for an Authentic Elote Salad

Crafting the perfect Spicy Mexican Corn Salad begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that authentic street corn flavor and irresistible texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this culinary delight:

Kitchen Staples: You’ll need a good quality Olive Oil for sautéing and coarse Kosher Salt to season and enhance all the vibrant flavors. These pantry essentials form the base of many great dishes.
Fresh Corn on the Cob: The star of our show! While traditionally grilled corn offers a smoky depth and caramelized sweetness, lightly steamed or boiled fresh corn works wonderfully, keeping the preparation simple and quick. During off-season, defrosted frozen corn can be a suitable alternative, ensuring you can enjoy this salad year-round.
Red Onion: This adds a beautiful touch of color and a delightful piquancy. When finely diced, its crisp texture and mild bite complement the sweetness of the corn without being overpowering.
Garlic Cloves: A cornerstone of savory flavor, minced garlic introduces an aromatic depth that is essential to the salad’s overall profile. It subtly enhances the other ingredients, creating a more complex taste.
Grape Tomatoes: Halved grape tomatoes burst with juicy sweetness and vibrant color, adding a refreshing counterpoint to the richer flavors of the dressing. They bring a fresh tanginess that brightens the entire salad.
Cucumber: For that essential crunch and cooling sensation, cucumber is key. English cucumbers or baby cucumbers are preferred as they have fewer seeds and a thinner skin, resulting in a more uniform texture in your Mexican Corn Salad.
Red Bell Pepper: Beyond its stunning color, diced red bell pepper contributes a sweet crunch and a subtle earthy flavor. It’s a robust vegetable that holds its texture well within the salad.
Mayonnaise: The backbone of our creamy dressing. For the best results and a rich, authentic taste, opt for full-fat mayonnaise from reputable brands like Duke’s or Hellmann’s. Its creaminess binds the ingredients and creates a satisfying mouthfeel.
Sour Cream: Adding sour cream to the dressing enhances its tanginess and contributes to an even creamier, more decadent texture. Full-fat sour cream is recommended for optimal richness and flavor.
Lime: Both the zest and freshly squeezed juice of a lime are indispensable. The zest provides an intense aromatic burst, while the juice delivers a bright, acidic counterpoint that cuts through the richness of the dressing and elevates all the other flavors.
Cayenne Pepper and Chipotle Pepper: These are the secret to the salad’s signature spice and smokiness. Cayenne delivers a clean heat, while ground chipotle pepper introduces a deeper, smoky warmth. Adjust the quantities to suit your personal preference for spice, making this Spicy Mexican Corn Salad as mild or fiery as you desire.

Spicy Mexican Corn Salad in two white tulip bowls.

Mastering Your Spicy Mexican Corn Salad

Achieving a truly exceptional Spicy Mexican Corn Salad goes beyond just combining ingredients; it involves a few expert techniques and considerations. Follow these tips to ensure your Elote Salad is perfectly balanced, flavorful, and safe to enjoy:

Embrace Peak Corn Season: The foundation of this incredible Elotes Corn Salad is the quality of your corn. For the absolute best flavor and natural sweetness, strive to make this recipe at the height of corn season. Freshly picked, sweet corn on the cob provides an incomparable taste that frozen or off-season corn simply can’t match, elevating your salad from good to truly magnificent.
Optimal Corn Preparation: While grilling is traditional for elotes and imparts a wonderful smoky sweetness by caramelizing the kernels, this recipe is specifically designed to be delicious with any cooked corn. Feel free to use steamed or roasted corn on the cob if grilling isn’t an option. The goal is perfectly tender, sweet kernels, regardless of the cooking method. If you do grill, the concentrated sugars and smoky undertones will add an extra layer of complexity to your Street Corn Salad.
Safe and Efficient Corn Kernel Removal: Cutting corn off the cob requires a bit of care to prevent kernels from scattering everywhere. A simple technique is to hold an ear of corn upright, firmly planted in the center of a large bowl. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully slice downwards, allowing the kernels to fall directly into the bowl. This method minimizes mess and ensures you capture all those precious kernels.
Maximize Your Yield: To get the most out of each ear of corn, cut as close to the cob as possible. This ensures you have full, plump kernels for your salad, contributing to a more satisfying texture. Don’t worry if some larger pieces of connected kernels appear; they add a wonderful rustic charm and extra bite. However, feel free to break them apart if you prefer a more uniform texture.
Uniformity for the Perfect Bite: To ensure every spoonful of your Spicy Mexican Corn Salad is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, make sure all your salad ingredients are cut into roughly bite-sized pieces. This creates an even distribution of corn, vegetables, and dressing, allowing each component to shine without overwhelming the others.
PRO-Tip: The Bundt Pan Hack: For an exceptionally clean and easy way to remove corn kernels, try this clever trick: place the narrow end of the corn cob into the center opening of a bundt cake pan or angel food cake pan. As you slice downwards, the high sides of the pan will efficiently collect all the kernels, keeping your countertop tidy and your preparation smooth.
Prioritize Food Safety with Mayonnaise: This delicious Street Corn Salad features a mayonnaise-based dressing, which means proper temperature control is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Never leave the salad out at room temperature (or warmer, especially outdoors) for more than two hours. Always keep it thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. If you’re transporting it to a picnic or potluck, use an insulated cooler with ice packs to maintain a safe temperature.
Taste and Adjust: Before serving, always give your salad a quick taste. Seasoning preferences vary, so feel free to adjust the salt, lime juice, and cayenne/chipotle pepper to your liking. A little extra zest or a pinch more salt can sometimes make all the difference in bringing out the best in your Elote Salad.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Corn Salad

Curious about the origins, ingredients, and best practices for making this delectable Spicy Mexican Corn Salad? Here are some common questions and detailed answers to help you perfect your dish and understand its rich culinary heritage.

What Ingredients are in Traditional Elotes?

Traditional Mexican elotes are a celebration of vibrant flavors and textures. They typically feature charred or boiled corn on the cob, generously slathered with a creamy, spicy, and often cheesy sauce. The core ingredient list for authentic elotes generally includes: fresh Corn on the Cob (often grilled or boiled), a creamy base of Mayonnaise and Sour Cream, aromatic elements like Onion and Garlic, a zesty kick from Lime juice and zest, and a spicy punch from Cayenne and Chipotle Pepper. Crucially, elotes are often finished with a sprinkle of crumbly Cojita Cheese, which adds a salty, tangy depth, along with fresh Cilantro and a dusting of Chili Powder. My Spicy Mexican Corn Salad takes these classic flavors and transforms them into a convenient, off-the-cob salad format, sometimes incorporating Grape Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Bell Pepper for added freshness and crunch.

What’s the Difference Between Elotes and Esquites?

The distinction between elotes and esquites is primarily in their presentation. Both are incredibly popular Mexican street food preparations featuring sweet corn and a similar flavor profile. Elotes are served directly on the cob, often with a stick inserted for easy handling, allowing you to enjoy the corn in its natural form, generously coated with the creamy sauce and toppings. Esquites, on the other hand, are served off the cob, typically in a cup or bowl. The corn kernels are usually sautéed or cooked with the other ingredients, creating a warm, spoonable salad. This makes esquites a bit easier to eat and share, often incorporating the same delicious mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime, cheese, and chili powder as elotes. My Spicy Mexican Corn Salad can be thought of as a variation of esquites, designed for ease of serving and enjoying as a side dish.

What Spices Are Used to Make Elotes?

The distinctive flavor of a true Mexican Street Corn Salad comes from a carefully selected blend of spices that provide warmth, depth, and a characteristic tang. The most common spices used include: Chili Powder, which offers a robust and earthy undertone; Chipotle Powder, for its signature smoky heat; and often a touch of Cumin, which adds an aromatic warmth and savory complexity. Beyond these, a pinch of cayenne pepper delivers a brighter, sharper heat, and a good amount of Kosher Salt is essential to bring out all the vibrant flavors. These spices, combined with fresh lime and creamy elements, create the iconic taste that makes elotes so irresistible, transforming simple corn into a flavor-packed experience.

Can I Add Cheese to this Corn Salad Recipe?

Absolutely, adding cheese to this Spicy Mexican Corn Salad is not only permissible but highly encouraged, as it aligns perfectly with the traditional elotes experience! Elotes are famously coated in Cotija cheese, a salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that provides a wonderful tangy and savory contrast to the sweet corn and creamy dressing. It melts slightly with the warmth of the corn but mostly holds its shape, adding a delightful texture. If authentic Cotija cheese is difficult to find in your local market, or if you simply prefer an alternative, Feta cheese makes an excellent substitute. Feta also offers a similar salty, tangy, and crumbly texture, making it a fantastic complement to the rich flavors of this corn salad. A generous sprinkle of either cheese just before serving will elevate your salad to an even more authentic and delicious level.

Spicy Mexican Corn Salad in a white bowl.

Explore More Delicious Corn and Salad Recipes

If you’re a fan of the vibrant flavors in this Spicy Mexican Corn Salad, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes:

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Corn Salad Recipe from Wonky Wonderful
Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado and Tomato from Well Plated
Fiesta Corn Dip
Sour Cream Corn Dip
Sweet Corn Casserole
Fresh Corn Pancakes
Corn Chowder
More Tasty Salad Recipes

This Spicy Mexican Corn Salad is more than just a side dish; it’s a flavor experience that brings the joy of Mexican street food right to your table. With its simple preparation, fresh ingredients, and irresistible creamy, spicy, and tangy dressing, it’s destined to become a staple in your summer repertoire. Don’t hesitate to make this delightful salad your next culinary adventure!

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The Recipe:

Spicy Mexican Corn Salad

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
5 minutes

Total Time
20 minutes

Yield
6 servings

A fabulous spicy corn salad that’s best made with fresh sweet corn, offering a creamy, tangy, and flavorful kick perfect for any gathering!

Ingredients

For the Salad:

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 ears of corn, cooked, cooled, and kernels removed (grilled for extra flavor, or steamed/boiled)
½ medium red onion (peeled, finely diced)
2 garlic cloves (peeled, minced)
1 cup grape tomatoes (cut in half)
½ English cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise and cut into thin slices
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced

For the Spicy Dressing:

½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat, Duke’s or Hellmann’s recommended)
¼ cup sour cream (full-fat)
1 lime (zested and juiced for maximum flavor)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to desired heat level)
¼ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper (adds smoky depth, adjust as preferred)
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

In a medium skillet, gently heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute or two until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the onion and garlic mixture to cool completely to room temperature. This step enhances the savory base of your salad.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled onion and garlic mixture with the prepared corn kernels, halved grape tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumbers, and diced red bell pepper. Ensure all ingredients are well distributed.
In a separate medium bowl, prepare the creamy, spicy dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, the bright lime zest and fresh lime juice, cayenne pepper, ground chipotle pepper, and kosher salt until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed – you might want a bit more spice or a touch more lime for your preference.
Pour the prepared dressing over the corn and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the rich and flavorful dressing. For the best taste, cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.

Notes

This Spicy Mexican Corn Salad is an exceptional way to utilize leftover corn on the cob. If your corn was previously grilled, the added smoky depth will truly elevate the flavor profile of this salad even further! For the creamiest and most authentic taste in your dressing, I highly recommend using high-quality, full-fat mayonnaise brands such as Hellmann’s or Duke’s. Their rich texture and flavor are essential to the dressing’s success. For an extra touch of authenticity, consider stirring in ½ cup of crumbled Cotija cheese or Feta cheese just before serving. This adds a delightful salty and tangy note, mimicking traditional elotes. Always keep this mayonnaise-based salad chilled, especially if serving outdoors.

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