Game Day Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A zesty and creamy Mexican street corn salad bursting with fresh lime, smoky spices, and crumbly Cotija cheese—perfect for game day gatherings. This Mexican-inspired recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, turns corn kernels, olive oil, smoked paprika into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 cups corn kernels and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until corn is slightly charred and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Sprinkle 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp chili powder over the corn, stirring for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Add the cooked corn to the bowl along with 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 sliced green onions, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss everything gently until well combined.
  5. Step 5: Chill the salad for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld, then garnish with extra Cotija or cilantro if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Game Day Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Game Day Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Game Day Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime?

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 Game Day Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Game Day Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime 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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