Elote-Inspired Mexican Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Cilantro

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A vibrant salad featuring grilled sweet corn kernels tossed with creamy mayo, tangy lime, salty Cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro for a perfect Cinco de Mayo side. This Mexican-inspired Cinco de Mayo recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs fresh corn on the cob, husked, mayonnaise, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill 4 husked ears of fresh corn, turning every 2-3 minutes until kernels are charred and tender, about 10 minutes total. Let cool slightly.
Step 2: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the cobs into a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the corn kernels.
Step 4: Toss gently until all ingredients are well combined and the salad is creamy and flavorful.
Step 5: Chill for 15 minutes before serving to meld flavors, then garnish with extra cotija and cilantro if desired.