Summer Street Corn Salad

Introduction

With its vibrant flavors and irresistible crunch, Summer Street Corn Salad is a recipe that captures the very essence of sunny days and outdoor gatherings. This dish combines sweet, charred corn with tangy lime, creamy cheese, and a kick of spice, making it the ultimate crowd pleaser for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Its bold, zesty flavors and colorful presentation make it a standout addition to any summer spread—easy to prepare, universally loved, and incredibly refreshing.

Deliciously Unique Summer Street Corn Salad

What sets this salad apart is its clever take on classic Mexican street corn—elote—deconstructed into a cool, creamy salad format. Charring the corn brings out its natural sweetness, while fresh cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, and a splash of lime give this salad an irresistible, multi-dimensional flavor profile. Each bite delivers a satisfying mix of textures: smoky kernels, creamy dressing, and bursts of fresh vegetables.

How to Char Corn for Maximum Flavor

For the most authentic street corn taste, use fresh corn on the cob and grill or roast it until it’s blistered and caramelized. A grill pan or open flame works best. Rotate the corn frequently until each side has deep, golden-brown marks. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing off the kernels to use in your salad. If fresh corn isn’t in season, you can use high-quality frozen corn—just don’t skip the step of charring it in a dry skillet for that signature smoky sweetness.

Assembling Your Summer Street Corn Salad

Once the corn is charred and cooled, toss it with a creamy, zesty dressing made of mayo, sour cream, lime juice, and a dash of chili powder. Add diced red onion, crisp bell pepper, and fresh cilantro for crunch and flavor. Finish with a generous shower of crumbled cotija cheese and extra lime wedges. The salad comes together in minutes and can be served chilled or at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Summer Street Corn Salad

Serve your Summer Street Corn Salad as a side dish for grilled meats, a topping for tacos, or as a filling for lettuce wraps. For a fun twist, scoop it up with tortilla chips as a vibrant dip. It pairs beautifully with barbecue favorites and refreshing drinks, making it a hit at any gathering.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 generous servings. Each serving contains roughly 180-220 calories, depending on ingredient choices. It’s naturally gluten-free and can easily be adapted for vegetarian or vegan diets by swapping out the dairy ingredients for plant-based alternatives.

Why This Summer Street Corn Salad Is a Must-Make

Few dishes are as versatile and universally appealing. You get a burst of bold flavors, simple prep, and flexibility for both everyday meals and festive occasions—a summer essential for any home cook.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a grocery list with all ingredients sorted by store section, making your weekly shopping trip fast, efficient, and stress-free!

Instructions

1. Char the corn: Preheat your grill, grill pan, or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place corn on the grill and rotate occasionally until kernels are lightly charred, about 8-10 minutes. Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob.
2. Mix the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Combine the salad: Add corn kernels, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño (if using), and cilantro to the bowl. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Add cheese and garnish: Fold in most of the cotija cheese, reserving a little for topping. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Serve: Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with remaining cheese and extra chili powder. Garnish with lime wedges and more cilantro, if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Summer Street Corn Salad is perfect for prepping and planning your weekday meals. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to automatically generate streamlined shopping lists, coordinate meal planning for the week, and ensure you always have the right ingredients on hand.

Planning Benefits:

• Creates a consolidated grocery list across all your planned recipes
• Organizes ingredients by store aisle for quick trips
• Optimizes quantities, preventing food waste
• Makes weekly meal prep and grocery shopping smooth and organized

Pro tip: With CookifyAI, you can plan complementary recipes—like tacos or grilled meats—alongside your salad and see ingredient overlaps. The app will tally your total corn, limes, and fresh herbs, helping you avoid overbuying and last-minute trips.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Enjoy the bold, fresh flavors of summer any night of the week with this easy street corn salad recipe!