Mexican Street Corn Cups (Esquites)
40aprons.com/mexican-street-corn-salad-esquites/Super flavorful, this Mexican street corn in a cup recipe is easy to do, savory, tangy, and creamy—making it extremely popular for get-togethers and BBQs!
Recipe Makes (Approximate): people
Equipment
- 9-10 4- ounce canning jars or other cups for serving
Ingredients
- 8 ears of corn (husked)
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 cup crumbled Cotija (plus more for serving. Can use Parmesan)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for serving)
- salt and black pepper
- chili powder for garnish
- minced red onion for garnish
Instructions
Char the Corn
- Preheat broiler to high or heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Place 8 ears of corn directly on grill grates or on a baking sheet under broiler.
- Cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes to char all sides evenly. Corn should have nice golden-brown spots but shouldn't be completely blackened.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes until safe to handle.
Prepare the Corn Mixture
- Using a sharp knife, cut kernels from corn cobs into a large mixing bowl. You should have about 4 to 5 cups of corn kernels.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 6 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 cup crumbled Cotija, and 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Pour dressing over corn kernels and gently fold together until corn is well coated.
Assemble and Serve
- Divide corn mixture evenly among 8 small cups or mason jars.
- Top each serving with additional crumbled Cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, minced red onion, and a generous sprinkle of chili powder.
- Serve immediately while corn is still warm, or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.
Recipe Notes
Make Ahead: Stir together all ingredients except garnishes and corn up to 2 days in advance. Fold into warm or room-temperature corn and chiles on the day of, then serve.
Make it Dairy-Free: Substitute the Cotija cheese with nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese alternative. You can also simply omit the cheese and add extra lime juice and cilantro for flavor.
Make it Vegan: Use vegan mayonnaise (such as Just Mayo or Hellmann's Vegan) and follow the dairy-free substitution above.
Storage: Store assembled cups covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve after a few hours as they meld together. Give a gentle stir before serving.
Cheese Substitutions: If you can't find Cotija, Parmesan works perfectly and is easier to find. Queso fresco or even feta cheese make good alternatives too.
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
Calories: 160calProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 235mgPotassium: 210mgTotal Carbs: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gNet Carbs: 13gVitamin A: 213IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 0.5mg
https://40aprons.com/mexican-street-corn-salad-esquites/