Name: Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients: 6 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (about 4-5 cups); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons Mexican crema or sour cream; 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for garnish; 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime); 1 teaspoon chili powder, plus more for garnish; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat); Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Prepare the corn

Shuck the corn and cut the kernels off the cobs. If using frozen corn, thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Sauté the corn

Heat the vegetable oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is lightly charred in spots, about 7-8 minutes. For deeper flavor, allow some kernels to blacken slightly. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
Prepare the dressing

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, and chili powder until smooth and well combined.
Combine ingredients

Add the charred corn to the dressing mixture. Stir in the diced jalapeño, chopped cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Season and adjust

Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to taste. Adjust the lime juice or spices if needed for a balanced flavor.
Serve and garnish

Transfer the esquites to a serving bowl or individual cups. Garnish with additional cotija cheese, a sprinkle of chili powder, fresh cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.

Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutritional Information