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Zesty Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) Recipe

Authentic Mexican Esquites Recipe: Easy & Delicious Street Corn Salad

Experience the vibrant flavors of Mexico with this mouthwatering esquites recipe – a delightful off-the-cob version of elotes that brings the street food experience right to your kitchen!

Bursting with smoky sweetness, a hint of spice, and tangy notes, this Mexican Street Corn Salad captures the essence of authentic elotes – grilled Mexican street corn lavishly coated with a creamy, cheesy, lime-infused, chile-speckled sauce.

While elotes reign supreme on summer grills, esquites offer a more refined approach to enjoying this beloved dish. Perfect for gatherings where mess-free eating is preferred, this spoon-friendly version loses none of the flavor while gaining versatility.

The beauty of esquites lies in its adaptability. Whether you’re grilling outdoors or cooking in your kitchen, this recipe delivers the same irresistible taste. The key to achieving that authentic flavor indoors? Char those kernels to perfection in a sizzling hot wok or skillet before tossing them with the zesty sauce mixture.

Get ready for a flavor fiesta in your mouth as the charred corn mingles with crumbled cheese, fragrant cilantro, and a kick of jalapeño. This salad is a celebration of textures and tastes that’s sure to become a summer staple in your recipe repertoire.

Irresistible Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
  • 4 ears fresh corn, shucked, kernels removed (about 3 cups fresh corn kernels)
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 ounces (60g) feta or Cotija cheese, finely crumbled
  • 1/2 cup finely sliced scallions, green parts only
  • 1/2 cup (1/2 ounce) fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and stemmed, finely chopped
  • 1 to 2 medium cloves garlic, pressed or minced on a Microplane grater (about 1 to 2 teaspoons)
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lime juice from 1 lime
  • Chile powder or hot chile flakes, to taste

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until it shimmers. Add corn kernels, season with salt to your liking, and give them a quick toss. Let the kernels sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes to achieve a beautiful char on one side. Toss the corn again and repeat the process for the second side. Continue this charring dance for approximately 10 minutes total, until the corn is beautifully charred all over. Transfer your golden nuggets to a large bowl.
  2. Now comes the fun part! Toss in the cheese, scallions, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, mayonnaise, lime juice, and chile powder. Mix everything together until it’s a harmonious blend of flavors. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or chile powder if needed. Serve immediately and watch it disappear!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
276 Calories
18g Fat
26g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 276
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Sodium 361mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 10%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 15mg 75%
Calcium 135mg 10%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 346mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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