Recipe and photo: Allie at Pretty. Awkward. Life.
Sold by street vendors throughout Mexico, this sweet, smoky, corn-off-the-cob salad is a flavorful south-of-the-border cuisine you can whip up in 15 minutes.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups fresh or frozen sweet corn kernels
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 4 tablespoons cotija (or feta) cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1½ teaspoons chili powder
- 2 limes, juice and zest
- Kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat oil on medium until “shimmering.”
- Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is toasted and golden brown (about 10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in garlic; allow to cool for a few minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine toasted corn and remaining ingredients until well-blended; salt, to taste.
- Top with additional cotija cheese.
- Serve warm or at room temperature as a dip or side dish.
Notes
The key for making esquites are the corn kernels. Use fresh corn kernels, removed from the cob. Or, if you’re using frozen sweet corn, defrost the kernels and dry to remove excess moisture before you sauté them.
If you prefer, you can substitute the olive oil with 2 tablespoons of butter.
Keep an eye on the corn while it’s sautéing. Let the kernels sit until the sugars caramelize and turn a deep, dark char; then toss and let them char again. You want the corn to char, but not burn. If the corn starts to pop, it’s been cooking too long.
For a tasty variation, fold in some sliced or diced avocado.
Large corn chips work great for dipping and scooping up the goodness.
Serving size: ¾ cup ♥ Calories: 174
NUTRITION
Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4.6g | Fat: 9.3g | Saturated Fat: 2.1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 3.7g | Sugar: 4.3g | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 3mg
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Ooooh. What a yummy corn salad.