Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad

Every summer we enjoy plenty of grilled sweet corn, but this Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad is above and beyond with it’s crema sauce, salty cotija cheese and that spicy seasoning!

Our post on the Secret to the Best Grilled Corn on the Cob has been going absolutely nuts this summer, so if you haven’t made it yet I really hope you will. This Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad should also be on your list. It’s juicy grilled corn that’s been cut off of the cob and tossed with Mexican Crema, spices and crumbled cotija cheese along with fresh lime juice and cilantro. Good mercy it’s good!! Don’t worry, I’m going to explain all of those ingredients, read on!

Where to Find Elote

Every summer Cade and I visit Rexburg, Idaho. My parents have relocated there where they enjoy a home that fits our big family’s needs, an incredible, huge yard and just as big garden. It is so peaceful to head to Idaho and spend time with my parents. If we time it right, we get to enjoy a small farmers’ market where the food trucks also gather, including one for Elote.

We’ve discovered that many farmers’ markets around the country also bring in Elote, or Mexican Corn. Look one up by you, or you can make our’s at home, Mexican Street Corn – Elote. But first, Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad!!

What is Elote Corn?

Elote is a Mexican Corn on the Cob that you are totally missing out on if you haven’t tried it yet.  It’s usually a corn on a cob that’s served on a stick so that it’s easier to eat. It’s a corn on the cob that’s been kicked up a notch with a dressing or spread, spices and cheese. Elote corn is considered a snack or occasionally a side dish.

Let’s go over the basic questions before we move on.

• What is Elote Made out of?

Corn, mayonnaise or butter, chihuahua cheese, parmesan or cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro, lime and salt are combined to make a can’t-get-enough snack.

• What Cheese for Elote?

What cheese should you use for Elote Mexican Grilled corn? Oh boy, this is a tricky question because to be honest, even if there’s one that’s usually used, Chihuahua cheese or Cotija Cheese, not everywhere sells it. We most often use Cotija cheese because  it’s available in all Utah stores, but if you can’t find either we recommend parmesan cheese in the can or fresh parmesan, or even a mild Feta.

• What is the Dressing on Elote?

Elote Mexican Corn is usually coated in crema, sour cream, mayonnaise or butter. It’s all personal preference or whatever the vendor has chosen to do. Often a mixture of sour cream and mayonnaise is used instead of just one or the other. Whichever you try will

• What Does Elote Taste Like?

Elote tastes like really buttery grilled corn with a dash of spice from the chili powder and that creamy, salty cheese. It’s literally a mouthwatering corn on the cob.

• Where Does Elote Come From?

Elote comes mostly from Northeastern Mexico, but corn itself has come from many places like Honduras etc.

What is Elote Mexican Grilled Corn Salad?

Elote Mexican Grilled Corn Salad is an easy to eat version of Mexican Street Corn. You’ll make it just the same, but add some red onion, cilantro, lime juice and toss it all together in a bowl instead of eating it on the cob. Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad is a great salad to take to a potluck or bbq.

What is Mexican Crema?

Alright, now what is Mexican Crema?

What is Cotija Cheese?

Cotija Cheese is a Hispanic-style cheese that was named after the town of Cotija in the Mexican state of Michoacán. It is a hard, crumbly cheese is made mostly from cow’s milk. It is white, fresh and salty so as to resemble feta cheese, but it does not taste exactly the same.

• What is a substitute for Cotija Cheese?

As mentioned above, parmesan, a mild feta, and chihuahua cheese are all acceptable substitutes for cotija cheese. I would personally sample them, which many stores with a gourmet cheese section will let you do before you purchase it. Start with cotija and snack on something in between samples to cleanse the palate.

How to Make Elote with Frozen Corn

If you can’t get your hands on fresh corn on the cob, don’t panic. You can use frozen corn instead of fresh corn.

• How to Make Elote Mexican Corn Salad with Frozen Corn

Start by placing the frozen corn in a skillet that has been heated to medium high along with a drizzle of oil. Do not worry about defrosting the corn first, just add it to the skillet.

Stir occasionally until it begins to char slightly and remove from the heat.

Proceed with the recipe as normal!

And yes, we really do this all winter long when we can’t get corn on the cob, so it does totally work. 🙂

Mexican Side Dish RECIPES

Looking for more Mexican Side Dish recipes like this Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad? We always are too as we love Mexican, so make sure you try our Mexican Street Corn -Elote, Cilantro Lime Quinoa, The Best Mexican 7 Layer Dip or for something more filling, Quick and Easy 3 Ingredient Spanish Rice or Mexican Fried Rice.

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Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad

Yield: 6 servings

Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad

Total Time: 15 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Every summer we enjoy plenty of grilled sweet corn, but this Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad is above and beyond with it’s crema sauce, salty cotija cheese and that spicy seasoning!

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 6 Ears of Corn, husked
• 1/3 Cup Crema *see note for substitution
• 4 Tablespoons Lime Juice, fresh is best
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 3/4 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 Cup Crumbled Cotija Cheese
• 1/2 Red Onion, Minced
• 1/3-1/2 Bunch Cilantro, chopped

 

Directions:

1. Heat a grill to medium heat. Add the corn, turning occasionally until slightly charred on each side.
2. Remove from the grill and allow to cool for a few minutes.
3. Holding the corn by the small end, cut off all of the kernels.
4. Place the kernels in a big bowl and add all remaining ingredients.
5. Fold gently with a rubber spatula, seasoning with additional salt as needed.
6. Serve slightly warm, room temperature or cold.

Crema is like a Mexican sour cream, and is found usually by the meat department with Hispanic items or the cheese. If you can’t find it, you can substitute 3 tablespoons sour cream and 5 tablespoons mayonnaise.

 

Nutrition Information

Yield: 6 servings, Serving Size: 1/2 cup

• Amount Per Serving:
• Calories: 143 Calories
• Total Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 14.5mg
• Sodium: 557mg
• Carbohydrates: 20.4g
• Fiber: 2.3g
• Sugar: 5.9g
• Protein: 5.8g

All images and text ©Carrian Cheney for Oh Sweet Basil.