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Flavorful Smoked Elote Street Corn Salad Recipe with Easy Chipotle Crema

smoked elote street corn salad - featured image
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A smoky, tangy, and spicy Mexican street corn salad with a creamy chipotle crema, perfect for summer cookouts and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream (full fat preferred, can substitute Greek yogurt)
  • 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 large lime
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled (feta cheese as substitute)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C). Brush the corn evenly with olive oil to prevent sticking and encourage caramelization.
  2. Grill the corn ears directly on the grill, turning every 2-3 minutes until all sides develop a smoky, golden-brown crust with some blackened spots, about 10-12 minutes.
  3. Remove the corn and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the cob by holding the ear vertically on a cutting board.
  4. Prepare the chipotle crema by whisking together mayonnaise, sour cream, minced chipotle peppers, about 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, garlic, and lime juice. Adjust spice level to taste.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the grilled corn kernels with the chipotle crema, chopped cilantro, crumbled Cotija cheese, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Fold gently to combine without smashing the corn.
  6. Serve the salad warm or chill for 15-20 minutes to let flavors marry. Cover and refrigerate if chilling.
  7. Before serving, stir the salad and adjust lime juice or salt as needed for balanced smoky, tangy, and creamy flavors.

Notes

If fresh corn is unavailable, frozen kernels can be used but grilling fresh ears is recommended for best flavor. For dairy-free options, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and omit cheese. Use quality chipotle peppers for best crema flavor. Turn corn frequently while grilling to avoid uneven cooking. Adjust salt after mixing due to salty Cotija cheese. The salad can be served warm or chilled. Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote, street corn salad, chipotle crema, smoky corn, Mexican salad, summer side dish, grilled corn salad

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/flavorful-smoked-elote-street-corn-salad-recipe-with-easy-chipotle-crema/