SnackSide Dish

Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)

Name: Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: mexican
Ingredients: 600 g corn kernel fresh or frozen; 15 g unsalted butter; 0.5 cup mayonnaise; 0.25 cup sour cream; 2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed; 0.5 tsp chili powder; 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional); 0.5 cup cotija cheese crumbled; 0.25 cup cilantro chopped; 1 pinch salt to taste; 1 pinch black pepper to taste

Esquites is a popular Mexican street food, a delicious and creamy corn salad often served in a cup. This recipe combines tender corn kernels with a tangy, spicy, and rich dressing, perfect as a snack or side dish.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time: 25 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Per serving: 463 kcal

Gluten-free

Allergen information: may contain eggs, milk, and mustard. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Mise en place

Ingredients

600 gcorn kernel, fresh or frozen
15 gunsalted butter
1 pinchsalt, to taste
1 pinchblack pepper, to taste

dressing

0.5 cupmayonnaise
0.25 cupsour cream
2 tbsplime juice, freshly squeezed
0.5 tspchili powder
0.25 tspcayenne pepper(optional)

garnish

0.5 cupcotija cheese, crumbled
0.25 cupcilantro, chopped

Equipment

serving cups or bowls · large skillet · medium bowl · whisk

The method

Step by step

1
Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
About 1 min
2
Add the corn kernels to the hot pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is tender and slightly charred, about 7-10 minutes.
About 9 min
Cook’s note: If using frozen corn, cook until all the water has evaporated.
3
Remove the pan from the heat and set the corn aside to cool slightly.
4
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
About 2 min
5
Add the slightly cooled corn to the dressing mixture and stir well to combine.
About 1 min
6
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7
Stir in about half of the crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro into the corn mixture.
About 1 min
8
Divide the esquites into serving cups or bowls.
9
Garnish with the remaining cotija cheese and cilantro before serving.
About 1 min

Per serving

Nutrition

63%Score

Calories: 462.5kcal
Protein: 9.7g
Carbs: 34.5g
Fat: 34.7g
Fibre: 4.3g
Sugar: 8.7g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover esquites in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Esquites is typically served warm or at room temperature; if desired, gently warm in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat.