Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad

This Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad is a fresh and flavorful summer side dish loaded with sweet grilled corn, cotija cheese, cilantro, jalapeño, and a creamy protein-packed lime dressing. Perfect for cookouts, taco nights and meal prep!

This Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad is everything you love about classic Mexican street corn (elote) transformed into an easy, crowd-pleasing salad. Sweet charred corn is tossed with crisp red onion, fresh jalapeno, cilantro, tangy cotija cheese, spices, and a creamy, protein-packed dressing made with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. This salad is fresh, flavorful, and the perfect side dish for summer cookouts!

Why You’ll Love This

• Healthier twist – this version of Mexican street corn salad uses protein-packed cottage cheese and Greek yogurt to create a creamy dressing instead of mayonnaise or sour cream while still delivering that rich, tangy flavor.
• Easy to make ahead – the flavors get even better as they sit together in this salad, making this an excellent side dish to prep ahead of time for parties and gatherings.
• Customizable – you can easily adjust the spice level, add extra veggies, swap ingredients, or turn this salad into a complete meal with your favorite protein.
• Perfect for summer – whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, attending a potluck, or celebrating Taco Tuesday, this fresh and flavorful salad is always one of the first dishes to disappear!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• fresh corn – the star of this recipe! You’ll need about 5 cups of corn kernels, which is approximately 6 ears of fresh corn. Grilling the corn adds smoky flavor and delicious char that makes this salad taste authentic.
• olive oil – used for brushing the corn before grilling to help it caramelize and develop those beautiful charred spots. You could also use butter in place of the olive oil.
• red onion – adds crunch and a mild sharpness that balances the sweetness of the corn. You could also use a white onion or green onions.
• jalapeño – provides a subtle kick of heat and pop of color. Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor, or leave some in if you love spice.
• cotija cheese – a traditional mexican cheese that adds a salty, savory finish. If you can’t find cotija cheese, feta cheese is a great substitute.
• cilantro – adds freshness and bright flavor throughout the salad.
• lime wedges – perfect for serving and squeezing over individual portions.
• creamy dressing – a delicious combination of protein-packed cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, lime zest, garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper.

How to Make Mexican Street Corn Salad

1. Grill the corn. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high head. Brush the corn with olive oil and grill for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly charred on all sides. Allow the corn to cool slightly, then carefully cut the kernels off the cob with a sharp knife into a large bowl.
2. Add the salad ingredients. To the bowl with the corn, add the diced red onion, jalapeño, cotija cheese, and chopped cilantro. Toss everything together until evenly combined.
3. Make the dressing. In a small food processor, combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Blend for 30 to 60 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning, as needed.
4. Assemble the salad. Pour the dressing over the corn mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. Top with additional cotija cheese, cilantro and sprinkle of chili powder or smoked paprika. Serve immediately or chill until ready to enjoy.

Tips for the Best Mexican Street Corn Salad

• Use fresh corn – fresh summer corn delivers the sweetest flavor and best texture. It truly makes a difference in this recipe!
• Don’t skip the charring – the smoke, caramelized flavor from grilling is what gives this salad its signature street corn taste.
• Blend the dressing until smooth – take the extra minute to fully blend the cottage cheese so the dressing becomes silky and creamy.
• Let the flavors marry – if time allows, refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving. The flavors become even more delicious as it sits!
• Adjust the heat level – for a mild salad, remove the jalapeño seeds. For extra spice, leave some seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Taste before serving – fresh lime juice and salt can vary, so always give the salad one final taste before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

• Make it spicier – add extra jalapeño, serrano pepper, cayenne pepper, or a drizzle of hot sauce for additional heat.
• Add black beans – black beans make this salad more filling and add extra fiber and protein.
• Add avocado – diced avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats that pair beautifully with the corn and fresh lime.
• Use frozen corn – if you don’t have fresh corn, frozen corn works well too. Simply thaw and sauté it in a hot skillet until lightly charred.
• Swap the cheese – if cotija isn’t available, feta cheese is the closest substitute. Parmesan can also work in a pinch.
• Make it dairy-free – use your favorite dairy-free yogurt and omit the cotija cheese or replace if with a dairy-free cheese alternative.
• Add extra veggies – try diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, green onions, or cucumber for addd color and crunch.
• Turn it into a meal – add grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, or blackened salmon for a complete lunch or dinner.

Prepping and Storage

• To Prep – prepare the dressing up to 3 days in advance and store separately in the fridge. Grill the corn and chop the vegetables ahead of time, then assemble everything when ready to serve.
• To Store – leftover Mexican corn salad can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Feel free to squeeze a little lime juice over top before serving for the freshest flavor.

More Summer Salads

• Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
• Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta Salad
• Healthy Broccoli Salad
• Chili-Rubbed Salmon and Summer Corn Salad
• Healthy Greek Salad
• Rainbow Orzo Salad

Hope you all enjoy this Mexican Street Corn Salad! If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!