Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad

I have never been much of a sucker for good salads to be honest, but then one fine evening my best friend’s mother decided to send over something fancy for me to eat as I was living in the hostel.

That’s how I bumped into this recipe for Mexican street corn kale salad. 

Source: insta_salads

Let’s be real, sometimes salads can feel a bit meh. Not this one, though. This Mexican street corn kale salad is as flavorful as it’s vibrant, and surprisingly filling. It’s the kind of salad that’ll make you rethink your salad days.

Crisp, tender kale tossed with a zippy dressing that I shall reveal soon, topped with sweet corn, seasoned vegetables. Every bite is a fiesta of textures and tastes. 

Whether you’re a seasoned salad lover or someone who’s just trying to eat more greens. Try out this easy to make recipe and I guarantee, it will satisfy your cravings.

Why This Recipe Works?

I remember the first time I made this salad, I was a bit sceptical about whether the combination of kale with yoghourt dressing would work. But I was pleasantly surprised! 

• Sweet corn, tangy lime, kale, and cheese create a unique flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting.
• It’s perfect for those health fanatics who are obsessed with nutritious food. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, this salad is a healthy and delicious way to fuel your body.
• You can easily customize this recipe to your liking. Add your favorite proteins, vegetables, or herbs to create a salad that’s unique to you.
• The king of all reasons; it’s perfect for any occasion! Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, packing a lunch, or simply looking for a healthy snack, this salad is the perfect choice.

So, the next time you’re looking for a delicious and healthy meal, give this Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad a try. You won’t be disappointed!

What Is Mexican Elote

Elote is a Mexican street corn, basically corn on the cob, but not just any corn on the cob. It’s grilled to perfection, then slathered in mayo, lime juice, chili powder, and topped with cotija cheese. It’s like a party in your mouth!

I’ve always been a sucker for corn. It’s one of those foods that’s just so versatile. You can grill it, boil it, roast it… the possibilities are endless. But elote takes it to a whole new level. The smoky flavor from the grill, the tangy lime, the creamy mayo, and the salty cheese – it’s a flavor explosion!

Now, you might be thinking, “That sounds amazing, but I don’t have a grill.” Don’t worry, you can still make a delicious elote-inspired dish. In this recipe, we’re using the flavors of elote to create a super tasty dressing for a kale salad. Trust me, it’s just as good as the real thing!

Things You’ll Need

Kale

Apart from its nutrition packed value, which all are well familiar with, I am all for the satisfying crunch this leafy green provides. I prefer using curly kale because it’s sturdy and holds up well in dressings. 

Corn

We’ll use grilled corn for this recipe that adds the desirable smoky, charred flavor that’s simply irresistible. If you don’t have a grill, you can roast it in the oven or even microwave it. Just be sure to give it a good char for that authentic elote flavour.

Queso Fresco or Cotija Cheese

This crumbly Mexican cheese adds a salty, tangy flavour that balances out the sweetness of the corn. If you can’t find either of these, feta cheese is a decent substitute.

Lime Juice

Don’t skip this one if you want that bright, citrusy flavour that cuts through the richness of the cheese and dressing. Try to use freshly squeezed lime juice, but bottled will also do in a pinch.

Cilantro

My mother taught me to add cilantro in all my cuisines and salads, and she taught me well. The fresh, herbaceous flavour of this ingredient complements all other ingredients perfectly. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with parsley.

Spicy Yogurt Lime Dressing

It’s the zippy dressing I told about earlier. This creamy, tangy dressing, brings all the flavours of the Mexican salad together, and some more. Made with Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and a touch of honey, it adds the delicious kick to the salad you’ll love.

Preparing The Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad

Step 1 – Grill Your Corn

We all love the smoky flavour of grilled corn. Fire up your grill and cook those ears of corn for about half an hour, or until they’re tender. But if grilling is not an option for you, steamed or boiled corn would also work perfectly. 

Step 2 – Preparing The Yogurt-Lime Dressing

This one is super yummy and easy. Just mix together Greek yogurt, garlic, chili powder, lime zest, and a squeeze of lime juice. Add a little water to thin it out if needed. Taste it and adjust the flavors to your liking.

Step 3 – Preparing Kale

Toss the kale with a little lime juice and salt. This helps to soften the leaves and bring out their flavor. I like massaging it with a pinch of olive oil along with lime juice to enhance its natural sweet flavor.

Step 4 – It’s Time To Mix It All Up!

Combine the grilled corn, dressed kale, crumbled queso fresco, and fresh cilantro in a large bowl. Toss it all together until everything is coated.

Best Ways To Serve This

To upscale your salad game, especially if you have guests coming over, use my tips to serve this salad a little fancy:

1. I love to pile it high on crispy corn tortillas with some grilled chicken or fish. Add a dollop of guacamole and a squeeze of lime for extra flavour.
2. To keep things simple, add some fresh avocado slices and pickled red onion. These toppings add a punch of sweet and sour flavour. And the texture is simply a plus. 

It also makes a great side dish for grilled meats or fish. The bright flavours and crunchy texture complement any main course.

Want More Carnivore Meals? Here you go:

1. 9 Best Carnivore Snacks
2. Best Finger Sandwiches For Party, Picnic
3. 20 Healthy Keto Ground Beef Recipes To Keep You in Ketosis