Easy Esquites: The Zesty Mexican Corn Salad Recipe You’ll Love

Esquites upgrade ordinary corn into a vibrant culinary adventure that bursts with cultural flavor and zesty personality.

Street food lovers recognize this beloved Mexican side dish as a crowd-pleasing sensation that goes beyond simple ingredients.

Creamy, tangy, and wonderfully seasoned, these kernels dance with complex textures and bold sensations that captivate taste buds.

The magical combination of smoky, sweet, and spicy elements creates an irresistible symphony of Mexican street food tradition.

Fresh corn becomes a canvas for remarkable seasonings that elevate ordinary vegetables into something extraordinary.

Each spoonful promises a delightful journey through regional cooking techniques and time-honored flavor profiles.

Prepare yourself for a mouthwatering experience that celebrates corn in its most delicious and memorable form.

Reasons to Crave Esquites

• Burst with Authentic Mexican Flavors: This esquites recipe captures the vibrant, zesty essence of street-style Mexican corn salad with a perfect blend of tangy lime, spicy Cholula, and salty cotija cheese.
• Quick and Easy Summer Delight: Whip up this mouthwatering side dish in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal recipe for busy weeknights or spontaneous gathering with friends and family.
• Customize Your Corn Sensation: Enjoy incredible flexibility by using fresh, canned, or frozen corn, allowing you to create this delicious dish year-round with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
• Texture Party in Every Bite: Experience a delightful mix of creamy mayonnaise, crispy corn kernels, and crumbly cotija cheese that creates an irresistible combination of smooth and crunchy textures.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Mexican Corn Salad

• Corn: Sweet summer corn with crisp kernels, best when freshly picked or high-quality frozen varieties.
• Butter: Rich dairy fat for sautéing and adding deep flavor to the corn.

• Epazote: Traditional Mexican herb with unique earthy and slightly minty flavor profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient providing depth and savory notes to the dish.
• Lime Juice: Bright citrus element that adds freshness and balances the richness.
• Tajín: Mexican chili-lime seasoning blend for zesty and slightly spicy kick.
• Cholula: Classic Mexican hot sauce offering mild heat and tangy complexity.

• Cilantro: Fresh herb adding bright, herbal notes and classic Mexican character.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy binding ingredient that provides smooth texture and subtle richness.
• Cotija Cheese: Crumbly, salty Mexican cheese that adds authentic taste and textural contrast.

How to Put Together Esquites

Step 1: Prepare Corn

If using fresh corn, carefully slice kernels off the cobs. For convenience, use canned or frozen corn.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Heat skillet and melt butter. Add epazote and minced garlic, cooking for 5 minutes over medium-high heat until fragrant.

Step 3: Cook Corn

• Thoroughly heated
• Lightly browned
• Slightly crispy edges

Step 4: Create Flavor Blend

• Fresh lime juice
• Tajín seasoning
• Cholula hot sauce
• Chopped cilantro
• Creamy mayonnaise

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Gently mix all ingredients until well combined. Sprinkle generously with crumbled cotija cheese. Enjoy warm or at room temperature as a vibrant Mexican-style side dish.

Helpful Tips for Making Esquites

• Maximize Flavor: Toast corn kernels until they develop a golden-brown color for a deeper, smokier taste.
• Perfect Seasoning Technique: Add Tajín and Cholula gradually, tasting as you mix to achieve balanced heat and tanginess.
• Cheese Selection Hack: Use freshly crumbled cotija for the most authentic texture and robust flavor profile.
• Temperature Tip: Allow corn to cool slightly before adding mayonnaise to prevent separation and maintain creamy consistency.
• Herb Freshness Trick: Chop cilantro just before adding to preserve its vibrant color and bright, zesty flavor.

Saving and Reheating Esquites

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the corn salad chilled to maintain its fresh flavor and crisp texture.
• Reheat: Gently warm the esquites in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of lime juice to refresh the flavors and prevent dryness.
• Serve: Enjoy the reheated corn salad as a side dish or quick snack. Sprinkle extra cotija cheese on top for added zest and creamy goodness.

Delicious Pairings for Esquites

• Pair with Citrus Cerveza: Crack open a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Pacifico, which cuts through the creamy mayo and complements the corn's sweetness with bright, zesty notes.
• Match with Grilled Proteins: Serve alongside smoky carne asada, spicy chicken fajitas, or grilled fish tacos to create a balanced plate where the esquites add creamy, tangy contrast.
• Create a Street Food Platter: Combine with elote (grilled corn on the cob), small street-style quesadillas, and quick pickled jalapeños for an authentic Mexican street food experience that celebrates bold, vibrant flavors.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Choose a crisp, unoaked white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or an albariño to echo the corn's freshness and balance the dish's richness with its acidic profile.

Fun Ways to Remix Mexican Corn Salad

• Street Cart Style: Grill corn kernels for smoky char, then mix with Mexican street vendor-inspired seasonings like extra chili powder and a drizzle of additional hot sauce.
• Vegan Fusion: Replace mayonnaise with cashew cream, use plant-based cheese alternative, and add roasted jalapeños for extra zesty flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Edition: Incorporate fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and green onions alongside traditional cilantro, creating a more complex and bright herb-forward version of the classic esquites.
• Mediterranean Crossover: Swap cotija for crumbled feta cheese, add chopped kalamata olives, and sprinkle za'atar spice blend for a Mediterranean-inspired corn salad transformation.

Esquites: Mexican Corn Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Esquites celebrate the heart of Mexican street corn in a refreshing salad. Creamy mayo, tangy lime, and smoky chili powder blend perfectly with charred corn kernels, creating a zesty side dish that brings summer’s best flavors to your table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 6 ears corn (or 4–5 cups canned/frozen corn)
• ½ cup cotija cheese, grated or crumbled
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 2–3 leaves epazote (or basil)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cilantro (or parsley)
• 2 teaspoons Tajín powder
• 2 teaspoons Cholula hot sauce

Liquid and Creamy Ingredients:

• 1 lime, juiced
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (or mix half mayo and half sour cream)

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice fresh corn kernels from the cobs, or prepare canned or frozen corn kernels for cooking.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature and melt butter until it begins to shimmer.
3. Add minced garlic and epazote to the melted butter, allowing the aromatics to release their fragrant oils for approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Introduce corn kernels into the skillet, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating and achieving a light golden-brown caramelization.
5. Remove the corn mixture from heat and transfer to a spacious mixing bowl.
6. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the warm corn, creating a bright, tangy base.
7. Sprinkle Tajín seasoning and Cholula hot sauce to enhance the corn’s flavor profile with a zesty kick.
8. Fold in finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
9. Incorporate creamy mayonnaise, gently stirring to coat the corn and create a smooth, cohesive texture.
10. Garnish the top of the salad with crumbled cotija cheese, providing a salty and rich finishing touch.
11. Serve immediately while warm or allow to cool to room temperature, offering a versatile Mexican-inspired side dish.

Notes

• Freshly cut corn kernels provide the best flavor and texture for this traditional Mexican street-style salad.
• Quick-sauté technique with butter, epazote, and garlic creates a deep, aromatic base for the corn.
• Tajín and Cholula add a tangy, spicy kick that elevates the dish’s classic street food profile.
• Cotija cheese crumbles provide a salty, creamy finish that complements the sweet corn perfectly.
• Can be served warm or at room temperature, making it an easy and versatile side dish for gatherings.
• Prepare ingredients in advance to streamline cooking and maximize flavor development.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg