Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
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
Allergen information: may contain eggs, milk, and mustard. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
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
- 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
Store leftover esquites in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Esquites is typically served warm or at room temperature; if desired, gently warm in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat.
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