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Elote Salad

Creamy, citrusy, with fresh bursts of herbs and spice, this addictive Mexican-street corn inspired salad is a welcome addition to any summer spread. Grilling your corn gives the kernels a nice char adding depth of flavor to the salad. For a little heat, add extra Tajin; and for that pop of acidity, don’t skimp on the pickled red onion – we’ve included a simple recipe that you can make quickly at home.

  • Servings 6-8
  • Dish Side
  • Time 25 minutes
  • Skill Home Cooks

Ingredients

Elote Salad (Mexican Corn Salad) ingredients

6 ears corn
½ cup sour cream or crema
2 Tbsps lime juice, about 1 lime
⅓ cup (2 oz) Cotija cheese or Queso Fresco, crumbled
¼ cup pickled red onion
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Tajin Clasico Chili Lime seasoning, for garnish

Quick-Pickled Red Onion ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsps sugar
1 Tbsp salt
1 red onion

Parts

Elote Salad (Mexican Corn Salad)

Step

Over an open flame on a gas burner or charcoal grill, cook the corn on all sides until nicely charred. Alternatively, you can char the ears of corn in a hot grill pan on the stovetop.

Step

Let the corn cool, then cut the corn kernels off the cob.

Step

In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream and lime juice. Add the corn kernels and carefully toss them in the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and top with crumbled Cotija cheese, pickled red onion, cilantro, and Tajin.

Quick-Pickled Red Onion

Step

Whisk together the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt until the salt and sugar dissolve.

Step

Thinly slice the red onion and place them in the brine.

Step

Cover and allow to marinate for 1 hour at room temperature.

Step

Transfer to the refrigerator; onions will continue to develop in flavor as they sit in the fridge. Pickled red onion will last up to 1 month in the fridge in an airtight container.