Quick Mexican Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Lime

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

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 fresh, tangy Mexican street corn salad bursting with grilled corn, creamy cotija cheese, and bright lime zest. This Latin American recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs fresh corn kernels, olive oil, mayonnaise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 210 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 cups (from about 4 ears) fresh corn kernels
2 tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 4 cups fresh corn kernels and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kernels are lightly charred and fragrant.
Step 2: Transfer the grilled corn to a large mixing bowl. Add 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tsp lime zest. Stir well to combine.
Step 3: Fold in 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Season with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, mixing thoroughly.
Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with extra lime juice or salt if desired. Serve immediately or chilled as a vibrant side dish.