Charred Street-Style Mexican Elote Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Grilled corn kernels tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with fresh cilantro and crumbled cheese, capturing authentic Mexican street food flavors. This mexican-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 22 minutes pairs ears fresh corn on the cob, husked, mayonnaise, sour cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush 4 ears of husked fresh corn with 1 tbsp vegetable oil and grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until kernels are charred in spots.
  2. Step 2: Remove the corn from the grill and use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off the cobs into a large mixing bowl.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the grilled corn kernels and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Fold in 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately as a vibrant side or light salad.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Charred Street-Style Mexican Elote Salad take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charred Street-Style Mexican Elote Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mayonnaise from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Street-Style Mexican Elote Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charred Street-Style Mexican Elote Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Charred Street-Style Mexican Elote Salad vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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