Flavorful Elote-Style Grilled Corn Salad
A smoky, creamy, and tangy grilled corn salad inspired by Mexican elote, perfect as a quick and easy summer side dish that pleases crowds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (vegan mayo optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Tajin seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 small diced jalapeño
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 10 minutes).
- Husk the corn and remove the silk. Rinse under cold water and pat dry.
- Brush the corn lightly with a neutral oil like canola or avocado oil.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook, turning every 2-3 minutes, for 10-12 minutes until charred and golden.
- Remove the corn from the grill and let it cool slightly until warm but not hot.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the kernels off the cob by holding the ear upright and slicing downward.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, Tajin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the warm grilled corn kernels to the bowl and toss gently to coat with the dressing.
- Fold in chopped cilantro and optional diced jalapeño.
- Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese over the salad and gently toss to distribute the cheese in pockets.
- Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with extra cilantro or a lime wedge if desired.
Notes
Grill the corn a day ahead and store in the fridge; add mayo mixture and Cotija cheese just before serving for freshness. Use frozen corn thawed and dried if fresh corn is unavailable. For dairy-free, omit Cotija and add toasted pepitas or pumpkin seeds. Adjust spice level by varying jalapeño and Tajin amounts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: grilled corn salad, elote salad, Mexican corn salad, summer side dish, easy corn salad, Cotija cheese, Tajin seasoning