Authentic Esquites Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe Everyone Loves

Mexican street corn salad brings vibrant flavors and textures that dance on your plate with spirited excitement.

Craving a zesty side dish that reimagines simple ingredients into something extraordinary?

This esquites recipe captures the essence of summer’s most beloved street food, celebrating corn’s natural sweetness and robust character.

Creamy, tangy, and perfectly seasoned, the dish offers a delightful twist on traditional corn preparations.

Bold spices and fresh ingredients collaborate to create a mouthwatering experience that feels both familiar and innovative.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this adaptable recipe for its simplicity and stunning presentation.

The magic happens when humble ingredients blend into a culinary masterpiece that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Esquites That Deliver Crunch and Cream

• Burst of Mexican Street Flavor: Esquites captures the vibrant essence of traditional Mexican street corn, delivering an authentic explosion of tangy, spicy, and creamy notes in every single bite.
• Easy Skillet Magic: This recipe transforms simple corn into a mouthwatering dish with minimal ingredients and just one pan, making it super accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Customize Your Kick: The combination of Tajín, Cholula, and cotija cheese allows personal heat and seasoning preferences, letting everyone dial up their perfect flavor intensity without complicated techniques.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in under 15 minutes, esquites work brilliantly as a side dish, appetizer, or casual party snack that brings serious Mexican street food vibes to any gathering.

What You’ll Need to Make Mexican Street Corn (Esquites)

• Fresh Corn or Canned/Frozen Corn: Sweet kernels are the star of this Mexican street food-style dish, with fresh corn offering the best flavor and texture.

• Epazote, Garlic: Aromatic herbs that add depth and traditional Mexican flavor to the corn.
• Lime Juice: Bright citrus that brings freshness and balances the richness of other ingredients.
• Tajín, Cholula: Classic Mexican seasonings that provide a tangy, spicy kick.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds a bright, herbaceous note to the dish.

• Butter: Provides rich base for sautéing and adds a smooth, nutty flavor.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy element that binds ingredients and adds richness.
• Cotija Cheese: Salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that adds a final savory touch and textural contrast.

Instructions for Preparing Traditional Esquites

Step 1: Prepare Corn Kernels

Remove corn kernels from fresh cobs or open a can/bag of corn. Set aside.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Base

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, mince fresh garlic, and sprinkle in epazote. Sauté the ingredients until fragrant and golden, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Cook Corn

• Kernels are heated through
• Edges turn slightly crispy and brown

Step 4: Mix Flavor Enhancers

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

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Gently mix all ingredients until corn is evenly coated. Top with crumbled cotija cheese. Enjoy warm or at room temperature as a delightful Mexican street corn salad.

Tips That Take Esquites to the Next Level

• Maximize Flavor Depth: Use fresh corn on the cob for the most vibrant, sweet taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Perfect Sautéing Technique: Cook corn at medium-high heat to achieve those delicious golden-brown caramelized edges without burning.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust Tajín and Cholula amounts to match your personal heat preference, creating a customized flavor profile.
• Cheese Selection Trick: Crumble cotija cheese just before serving to maintain its crumbly texture and prevent clumping.
• Temperature Flexibility: Enjoy esquites warm or at room temperature, making it a versatile side dish for any meal or gathering.

Esquites Storage and Reheat Guidelines

• Refrigerate: Store leftover esquites in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the fresh flavors and texture intact.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and maintain the corn's delicious texture.
• Refresh: Before serving, sprinkle extra cotija cheese and a dash of Tajín to revive the original zesty flavor profile.

Pairings That Elevate the Esquites Experience

• Pair Zesty Mexican Beer: Grab a cold Corona or Modelo Especial to complement the tangy esquites. The light, crisp beer cuts through the creamy mayonnaise and balances the spicy Cholula and Tajín seasonings perfectly.
• Match with Fresh Margarita: Whip up a classic margarita with fresh lime juice to echo the citrusy notes in the esquites. The tequila's brightness and salt rim will enhance the corn's savory flavors and add a festive touch to your meal.
• Serve Alongside Grilled Proteins: Plate these esquites with grilled chicken or steak fajitas for a complete Mexican-inspired feast. The corn's rich, buttery texture and zingy seasonings create a delicious contrast to the smoky, charred meat.
• Create Refreshing Salsa Pairing: Accompany the esquites with a fresh pico de gallo or chunky salsa. The raw, bright vegetables will provide a cool, crisp counterpoint to the warm, creamy corn dish, adding layers of flavor and texture.

Versions of Esquites with Regional Flair

• Summer Street Corn Bowl: Transform esquites into a hearty meal by adding grilled chicken, black beans, and diced avocado for a protein-packed version.
• Spicy Mexican Corn Salad: Increase heat levels by incorporating diced jalapeños, adding a serrano pepper, and using a smoky chipotle hot sauce instead of Cholula.
• Vegan Mexican Corn Delight: Replace mayonnaise with cashew cream, swap cotija for nutritional yeast, and use plant-based butter to create a dairy-free alternative.
• Esquites Stuffed Peppers: Use the corn mixture as a filling for roasted bell peppers, topping with extra cheese and baking until golden and bubbling.

Esquites Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

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

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Description

Mexican street corn salad bursts with zesty flavors and fresh ingredients. Creamy, tangy, and perfectly balanced, esquites deliver a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.

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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
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (or mix half mayo and half sour cream)

Herbs and Seasonings:

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

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 lime, juiced

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Instructions

1. Liberate corn kernels from their cobs, or ready canned or frozen corn for culinary transformation.
2. Ignite a skillet and lovingly melt butter, introducing fragrant epazote and minced garlic, allowing them to dance and release their aromatic essence for approximately five minutes over medium-high flame.
3. Cascade corn kernels into the sizzling skillet, coaxing them to heat thoroughly and develop delicate caramelized edges.
4. Transition the golden corn to a spacious mixing vessel, awakening its flavors with a vibrant splash of lime juice, zesty Tajín seasoning, spicy Cholula sauce, freshly chopped cilantro, and creamy mayonnaise.
5. Thoroughly amalgamate all ingredients, ensuring each kernel is generously coated with the tantalizing mixture.
6. Crown the esquites with a delicate snowfall of crumbled cotija cheese, creating a textural masterpiece.
7. Present the dish while still warmly inviting, or allow it to rest comfortably at ambient temperature, ready to seduce eager palates.

Notes

• Quickly remove corn kernels using a sharp knife, cutting close to the cob for maximum yield.
• Fresh corn delivers superior flavor, but high-quality frozen or canned corn works perfectly as a convenient alternative.
• Toast corn kernels until they develop golden-brown edges, creating a delightful smoky and caramelized taste.
• Balance tangy lime juice with creamy mayonnaise and zesty Cholula sauce for a complex, mouthwatering profile.
• Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese just before serving to maintain its delicate, crumbly texture and fresh taste.
• Prepare this dish as a quick side or appetizer that celebrates vibrant Mexican street food flavors in minutes.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg