Tuesday, July 7, 2026
HomeCookingCorn Esquites (Mexican road corn salad)

Corn Esquites (Mexican road corn salad)


Candy, smoky-edged corn esquites with creamy mayo, soured cream, salty feta and a spritz of lime – that is my speedy little nod to Mexican road corn, made with straightforward UK grocery store components.

Overhead image of a blue bowl filled with Mexican street corn salad, also called Corn Esquites, topped with crumbled cheese, Tajin powder, and lime wedges, with a gold spoon in the corn. The bowl is on a wooden surface, next to a terracotta napkin and lime pieces.

Nicky’s Notes

A woman with long brown hair and a black top smiles at the camera, sitting indoors with a brick wall and some greenery in the background.

I really like this corn esquites recipe as a result of it provides you all these beautiful street-corn-style flavours, however without having contemporary corn on the cob or a grill.

I’m utilizing canned sweetcorn right here as a result of it’s cheap, straightforward to maintain within the cabinet and fries up superbly whenever you give it sufficient house within the pan. Frozen sweetcorn works properly too – simply ensure that it’s defrosted and properly drained so it could possibly brown relatively than steam.

Cotija cheese will be difficult (i.e. not possible!) to seek out in UK supermarkets, so feta is my go-to swap. It provides that salty, crumbly end and works brilliantly with the creamy dressing and lime.

What I really like about this dish:

  • It makes an excellent BBQ aspect dish.
  • It may be served heat or chilly (nice for make-ahead).
  • It’s delicate (not spicy) so everybody can get pleasure from it.

📋 Substances for Esquites

***Full recipe with detailed portions within the recipe card beneath***

Ingredients for Corn Esquites on a wooden surface, including avocado oil, coriander, cheese, soured cream, tinned sweetcorn, butter, chopped onion, mayonnaise, lime, Tajín and salt and pepper. All ingredients are labelled.

What sort of corn for esquites?

  • I like to make use of canned corn, as I at all times have some in my cabinet. Frozen corn works nice too (defrost it first).
  • Contemporary corn that’s been grilled on the BBQ, with the kernels sliced off afterwards is totally superb (however extra time consuming, and you continue to must fry up the onions).
Close-up of cooked sweetcorn kernels with a slight char, glistening with oil in a pan.

🧑‍🍳 Abbreviated Recipe

***Full recipe with detailed steps within the recipe card beneath***

Fry onion in butter and oil till softened, then add well-drained corn and cook dinner till the kernels begin to flip golden in locations.
Take away from the warmth and stir by mayo, bitter cream, crumbled feta or cotija, coriander, seasoning, and contemporary lime. Serve heat with a sprinkle of Tajin.

Recipe Suggestions

  • Drain the canned corn rather well earlier than frying (or defrost and pat dry if utilizing frozen). Moisture stops it from browning correctly.
  • Use a huge frying pan or skillet so the corn has house to catch in locations. If it’s piled up an excessive amount of, it’ll steam as an alternative.
  • If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
Three glasses filled with Mexican street corn salad—Esquites—topped with crumbled cheese, Tajin powder, cilantro, and a lime wedge on a wooden surface.

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Make forward and Leftovers Information

  • I discover esquites tastes at its best possible freshly made, but it surely tastes nice reheated too. For those who’re reheating the absolutely made dish, reheat over a low warmth, till simply heat (don’t warmth too quick because the mayonnaise could break up).
    • If you wish to partially make it forward, you’ll be able to fry the corn and onion forward, then reheat and stir by the creamy components simply earlier than serving.
  • You too can serve it chilly as a creamy sweetcorn salad. Give it a stir and squeeze over just a little contemporary lime to zing it up earlier than serving.

  • Warmth the oil and butter in a frying pan over a medium warmth.

    15 g (1 tbsp) salted butter, 1 tbsp oil

  • Add the onion and cook dinner for 3 minutes, stirring usually, till barely softened.

    1 small onion, peeled and finely diced

  • Add the drained corn to the pan, stir along with the onion and unfold it out.

    450 g (1lb) drained, canned candy corn (or frozen corn)

  • Fry for 3-4 minutes, till a number of the corn begins to brown barely. Stir and fry for an extra 2-3 minutes. Flip off the warmth.

  • Switch the corn combination to a bowl and add the salt, pepper, mayonnaise, bitter cream, feta (or cotija) and coriander (cilantro). Stir collectively to mix.

    1/8 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 75 g (5 tbsp) mayonnaise, 45 g (3 tbsp) full fats soured cream, 50 g (1/3 cup) crumbled feta , 3 tbsp finely chopped contemporary coriander (cilantro)

  • **Elective** If you wish to loosen the sauce, add a splash of water and stir once more.

  • Sprinkle on the Tajin or chilli powder, and serve, heat, with lime wedges.

    1/2 tsp Tajin or delicate chilli powder, 1 lime quartered

Dietary data is approximate, per serving, primarily based on this recipe serving 6 folks.

Energy: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fats: 18g | Saturated Fats: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 7g | Monounsaturated Fats: 5g | Trans Fats: 0.1g | Ldl cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 245mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g

Diet data is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

🍽️ What to serve it with

🍲 Extra tasty vegetarian sides

A few of the hyperlinks on this submit could also be affiliate hyperlinks – which implies in case you purchase the product I get a small fee (at no additional price to you). For those who do purchase, then thanks! That’s what helps us to maintain Kitchen Sanctuary operating. The dietary data offered is approximate and may fluctuate relying on a number of components. For extra data please see our Phrases & Circumstances.

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