Colorful Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Cilantro
A vibrant Mexican-inspired salad featuring roasted corn, tangy cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro, drizzled with a creamy lime dressing. This Mexican-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 18 minutes, pairs fresh corn kernels, cotija cheese, fresh cilantro into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (from about 4 ears) fresh corn kernels
- 1/2 cup, crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups fresh corn kernels and sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the corn is lightly charred and fragrant.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Transfer the charred corn to the bowl with the dressing and toss well to coat every kernel.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Gently fold to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Step 5: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and enhance the taste.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Colorful Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Colorful Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Cilantro?
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 fresh corn kernels from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Colorful Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Cilantro?
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 Colorful Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Cilantro 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 Colorful Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Cilantro 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.
