This Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad combines the vibrant flavors of sweet corn, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
About the Recipe
Combined with a perfectly seasoned Greek yogurt dressing and a crumble of queso fresco, this crunchy and flavorful salad is perfect for all of your summer fiestas!
This salad is a healthier twist on the beloved street food, offering a nutritious corn salad without compromising the flavor. You will want to make this recipe over and over as a refreshing side dish for a summer bbq or as part of a healthy lunch.
This dish is so easy to make, and you can easily find all of the ingredients in grocery stores. The fresh flavors and creamy sauce come together so well to create the perfect salad side dish. Next time you make it, you'll want to make a double batch!
If you are looking for more salad recipes, check out our: Burrata Salad, Summer Peach Panzanella Salad or Peach Caprese Salad.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Versatile - One of the best things about this salad is that you can easily customize it to suit your preferences. You can add ingredients or adjust the amounts of the ingredients to make your taste buds happy.
Easy - You can make this salad in a breeze which makes it perfect for busy schedules. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have this ready to go very quickly. This is a great option for when you are hosting guests, preparing a weeknight meal or anytime you just need something delicious and don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen!
Wholesome and fresh - Use the freshest ingredients in this recipe for the best flavors and textures. The sweetness of the corn, the crispness of the red pepper, and the herbal notes of cilantro come together so perfectly in this summer salad.
Ingredients
Here are the delicious ingredients you will need for this perfect side dish:
- Olive oil
- Corn - Use fresh or frozen corn kernels.
- Garlic
- Red pepper
- Red onion
- Fresh Cilantro - Use fresh chopped cilantro in the salad and as a garnish, if desired.
- Greek yogurt - This lightens up the recipe instead of using creamy mayonnaise.
- Lime juice - Fresh squeezed lime juice will give you the best flavor.
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt & black pepper
- Cotija or queso fresco cheese - If you can't find either of these, feta cheese would be a good substitute.
Directions
Let's make this Mexican corn salad recipe together!
Step 1: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the corn and sauté for 10 minutes, or until fully cooked and slightly charred.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the corn, garlic, red pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Step 4: Add the yogurt mixture to the corn mixture and stir well to combine.
Step 5: Top with the cotija cheese and serve!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this delicious Mexican street corn salad:
Corn - You can choose to either use fresh corn cut from the cob or frozen corn for convenience. Sauté it long enough so it begins to char because it provides great flavor and brings out the natural sweetness of the corn! You could also use grilled corn for this recipe.
Heat level - If you enjoy a spicy kick, add some chopped jalapeño pepper or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
Make it an appetizer - You can serve this salad with corn or tortilla chips for scooping. It makes a perfect summer appetizer for parties!
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this healthy Mexican street corn salad recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Non-Stick Pan - A good non-stick pan will not only last, but it will make cooking a breeze!
Serving Bowl - I love serving this salad in a big bowl in the center of the table. This one is so pretty and dishwasher safe!
Serving Spoons - These serving spoons always get compliments when I'm hosting!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy Mexican street corn salad recipe.
Garnish - Sprinkle the top of the salad with additional cilantro or parsley just before serving.
Additions - You can add some ingredients with additional nutritional value. Try adding avocado, black beans, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, green onions, or quinoa.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this easy recipe:
Easy Italian Marinated Skirt Steak - Easy Italian Marinated Skirt Steak is a delicious dinner recipe! This simple steak is packed with Italian flavors then seared to perfection. This steak is great for meal prep, a keto diet, an easy lunch idea, or simple dinner recipe.
Easy Bourbon Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops and Peaches - Easy Bourbon Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops and Peaches are literally the perfect summer to fall transition recipe.
Easy Baked Chicken Thighs - These bone-in chicken thighs are coated with a delicious mixture of seasonings and then baked in the oven until the chicken skin is crisp and the meat is perfectly juicy.
Frequently Asked Questions
You could use canned corn as a convenient option, however frozen or fresh corn will have a crisper texture and a more natural sweetness. If you do decide to use canned corn, be sure to drain and rinse the corn before adding it to the salad.
Yes. This salad is great once you have given the flavors time to marinate. You could make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until it is time to serve it.
Yes. Greek yogurt is simply a healthier way to enjoy traditional street corn. You could use mayonnaise, sour cream or a combination of the two instead. Alternatively, you could make a lime vinaigrette to mix in for a non-dairy version!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage instructions for this creamy corn salad:
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 2-3 days.
Freezer Storage: Freezing is not recommended.
Other Recipes to Try
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Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups corn fresh or frozen
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 red pepper diced
- ½ red onion diced
- 1 cup cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Crumbled Cotija or Queso Fresco cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add corn and sauté for 10 minutes, until fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Add corn, garlic, red pepper, red onion and cilantro to a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well, then add to the corn. Mix well.
- Top with Cotija cheese and serve.
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