Denton-Inspired Tex-Mex Street Corn Salad
A fresh and tangy salad combining grilled corn with creamy, spicy, and zesty flavors inspired by Texas street food. This mexican-inspired salads ready in about 17 minutes pairs olive oil, mayonnaise, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (about 4 ears of corn) fresh corn kernels
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup, crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 small, seeded and finely chopped (optional) jalapeño
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss 4 cups of fresh corn kernels with 2 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Grill the corn kernels in the pan for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until some kernels are charred and fragrant.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Step 4: Add the grilled corn to the bowl along with 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 finely chopped small jalapeño (if using). Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lime juice if desired. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Denton-Inspired Tex-Mex Street Corn Salad take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (10 min prep + 7 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 Denton-Inspired Tex-Mex Street Corn 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Denton-Inspired Tex-Mex Street Corn 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 Denton-Inspired Tex-Mex Street Corn 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.
What goes well with Denton-Inspired Tex-Mex Street Corn Salad?
Mexican salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
