Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) with Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing (No Mayo!)

Discover a lighter, yet equally flavorful, take on the beloved classic Mexican street corn salad, also known as Esquites. This vibrant dish is crafted with fresh, sweet corn kernels, a tangy Greek yogurt dressing (ditching the traditional mayo for a healthier twist), a hint of fresh lime, savory cotija cheese, and a kick of jalapeño. It’s the perfect refreshing side dish for any gathering, whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout, heading to a potluck, or enjoying a festive taco night!

I’ve teamed up with Duda Farm Fresh Foods to share today’s delightful recipe. For this dish, I absolutely love using their Dandy® Tray Pack Sweet Corn. Its natural sweetness and superb flavor elevate this salad, and the convenience of it being pre-shucked makes prep incredibly easy and quick, letting you get to the delicious part even faster.

Embracing the Authentic Flavor, with a Healthier Spin

Living in Central Florida, we are incredibly fortunate to have access to several authentic and utterly delicious takeout spots that serve some of the best fresh Mexican food I’ve ever tasted. Among my favorite orders is esquites, which is essentially elote (Mexican street corn on the cob) served off the cob in a bowl. It’s a wonderfully fresh and satisfying Mexican corn salad, often found in a small styrofoam cup, making it the ideal street food for enjoying on the go. Its vibrant flavors of creamy, tangy, spicy, and sweet are simply irresistible, and I truly enjoy supporting these local gems regularly.

However, when I’m planning a party or a family get-together and want to share this incredible dish with friends and loved ones, a homemade batch of Mexican Street Corn Salad is always the way to go. My homemade version captures the essence and robust flavor profile of traditional esquites. The key difference lies in my choice of dressing base: instead of mayonnaise, I opt for plain Greek yogurt. This simple swap not only makes the salad significantly more protein-forward and lower in fat, but also introduces a delightful tanginess that complements the sweet charred corn beautifully, making it a perfect, guilt-free side for any occasion.

This versatile corn salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses. Serve it alongside my shredded salsa chicken tacos, hearty beef barbacoa bowls, or crisp chicken tostadas to create a complete and unforgettable Mexican-inspired meal. Beyond taco night, it’s also fantastic with grilled BBQ chicken drumsticks, flavorful chicken kebabs, or a perfectly cooked sous vide flank steak, adding a bright and zesty counterpoint to any grilled fare.

Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Mexican Corn Salad

This Mexican Street Corn Salad is proof that you don’t need mayonnaise to achieve a rich, creamy, and incredibly delicious side dish. Once all the fresh ingredients are mixed together and allowed to chill for just 30 minutes, the flavors meld into a tangy, sweet, and perfectly balanced delight. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fresh Corn Off the Cob: While frozen corn can be used in a pinch, fresh corn kernels cut directly off the cob are highly recommended for their superior sweetness and texture. The natural sugars caramelize beautifully when roasted, creating an unmatched depth of flavor. Dandy® Tray Pack Sweet Corn is an excellent choice for this recipe as it comes pre-shucked, significantly simplifying your prep time.
• Butter: A touch of unsalted butter is used to roast the corn, enhancing its inherent sweetness and helping achieve that desirable slight char. For a dairy-free option or if you’re out of butter, avocado oil makes a great substitute.
• Jalapeño: This adds a lovely touch of heat to the salad. If you prefer a milder flavor, simply remove the seeds and white membranes before dicing. For those who enjoy more spice, leave some or all of the seeds intact!
• Cilantro: Freshly chopped cilantro is essential for its bright, herbaceous, and incredibly fresh flavor, which is a hallmark of Mexican cuisine.
• Cotija Cheese: This crumbly, salty Mexican cheese is a star ingredient. Its distinct flavor and texture perfectly complement the sweetness of the corn and the tanginess of the dressing. If cotija isn’t available, grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta cheese can serve as excellent alternatives, offering a similar salty and slightly sharp profile.
• Chili Lime Seasoning: A sprinkle of chili lime seasoning, such as Tajín, is an optional but highly recommended garnish. It adds an extra layer of zesty, spicy, and tangy flavor that truly brings the dish to life.

Crafting the Creamy Greek Yogurt Dressing (No Mayo!)

This quick and easy dressing is wonderfully thick, tangy, and absolutely perfect for binding together the freshly charred corn and other vibrant ingredients. It delivers all the creaminess you desire without any mayonnaise, making it a healthier and protein-packed choice.

• Greek Yogurt: The foundation of our healthier dressing. Plain Greek yogurt provides a rich, creamy texture and a delightful tang. Its higher protein content and lower fat compared to mayonnaise make it an excellent choice for a nutritious side dish.
• Garlic: Two cloves of freshly minced garlic infuse the dressing with a pungent, aromatic flavor that is indispensable in Mexican-inspired dishes.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice from one lime is crucial. It adds a vibrant zest and essential acidity, cutting through the richness of the yogurt and helping to thin out the dressing to the perfect consistency.
• Spices: A simple blend of chili powder, salt, and black pepper is all you need. These spices enhance the overall flavor profile, adding a subtle warmth and ensuring every bite is perfectly seasoned. Adjust to your taste preferences.

Can I Make Mexican Street Corn Salad Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! This Mexican Street Corn Salad is an excellent candidate for meal prep or party planning, as it can be easily prepared in advance. In fact, allowing the flavors to meld for a few hours in the refrigerator can even enhance the taste. However, based on my experience, the cotija cheese can sometimes lose a bit of its distinct salty flavor and crumbly texture if it sits in the refrigerator for more than a day. If you notice this, you might want to add a fresh sprinkle of crumbled cotija just before serving as a garnish to refresh its presence in the salad. Otherwise, the salad, especially with its robust Greek yogurt dressing, holds up remarkably well when made ahead of time, retaining its vibrant flavors and creamy texture.

How Long Does This Corn Salad Last in the Fridge?

To enjoy the best flavor and freshness, store any leftover Mexican Street Corn Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While the flavors can continue to meld and deepen over time, it’s generally best savored within the first two days after preparation for the optimal taste and texture experience. Beyond three days, the corn can start to lose its crispness, and the dressing may separate slightly.

Tips for the Perfect Esquites

• Char Your Corn Just Right: The slightly charred corn is key to esquites’ signature flavor. Don’t be afraid to get some dark spots on your kernels. This caramelization brings out the corn’s natural sweetness and adds a smoky depth. Use a cast iron skillet or a grill pan on medium-high heat.
• Fresh is Best for Lime and Garlic: While pre-minced garlic and bottled lime juice are convenient, for this recipe, fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lime juice make a huge difference in the vibrancy and overall taste of the dressing.
• Balance the Heat: The jalapeño provides a pleasant warmth. Taste a small piece of your diced jalapeño before adding to gauge its spice level. If it’s very hot, remove more seeds and membranes. If you love heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
• Taste and Adjust: Before serving, always taste your salad. You might find it needs a little more salt, a squeeze of extra lime juice for brightness, or another dash of chili powder to perfect the flavor profile.
• Chill for Flavor: While delicious immediately, giving the salad at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator allows all the wonderful flavors to marry and deepen, resulting in a more cohesive and satisfying dish.

Delicious Variations to Try

This Mexican Street Corn Salad recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand:

• Add More Veggies: Incorporate finely diced red onion for a sharper bite, or finely chopped red bell pepper for extra sweetness and crunch. A diced avocado can add a creamy richness and healthy fats.
• Different Cheeses: If cotija is hard to find, feta or Parmesan are good substitutes, but you could also try a sprinkle of mild cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different cheesy note.
• Herb Swaps: Not a fan of cilantro? Try fresh parsley or even a bit of finely chopped chives for a milder herbaceous flavor.
• Smoky Flavor: A pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke can enhance the charriness of the corn, adding another layer of depth.
• Make it a Meal: Turn this side dish into a light main course by adding grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, or black beans for extra protein.

More Delicious Corn Recipes to Make

• Roasted Corn Salsa
• Chopped BLT Salad with Corn
• Charred Corn + Tomato Panzanella Salad

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