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Flavorful Grilled Elote Corn Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Cotija and Chili Lime

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A smoky, tangy grilled elote corn salad featuring charred corn kernels tossed with a chili lime dressing and crumbly cotija cheese. Perfect for summer gatherings and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise (full-fat or Greek yogurt as a lighter option)
  • Juice of 2 medium limes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (ancho or chipotle)
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing corn before grilling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C), approximately 10 minutes.
  2. Brush each ear of corn with olive oil to prevent sticking and encourage a golden crust.
  3. Place corn on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes until kernels are evenly charred with golden brown and blackened spots.
  4. While corn grills, prepare the dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Add water teaspoon by teaspoon if dressing is too thick.
  5. Let grilled corn cool for about 5 minutes, then carefully cut kernels off the cob into a large mixing bowl.
  6. Add the dressing to the warm corn kernels and toss gently to coat every kernel.
  7. Mix in chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese, tossing gently to combine.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, lime juice, or chili powder as desired.
  9. Serve immediately or chill for 15-20 minutes to let flavors meld. Salad can be served warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Use fresh lime juice for best brightness. Turn corn regularly to avoid burning. Cotija cheese is salty, so adjust salt accordingly. For dairy-free, substitute cotija with crumbled firm tofu and nutritional yeast. Frozen corn can be used if thawed and dried. Warm leftovers gently in a skillet or enjoy cold.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled elote, corn salad, cotija cheese, chili lime dressing, summer salad, BBQ side dish, Mexican corn salad

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/flavorful-grilled-elote-corn-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-cotija-and-chili-lime/