Description
This Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad combines the bold flavors of classic street corn with tender kale, creamy avocado, cotija cheese, and a zesty cilantro lime dressing. Fresh, colorful, and packed with texture, it’s the perfect side dish for summer cookouts, taco nights, meal prep lunches, or easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Kale Salad
- 1 bunch green kale, stems removed and chopped
- 2 ears corn, shucked and silk removed
- ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1–2 avocados, diced or sliced
- ½–1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Crushed tortilla chips, for garnish
For the Cilantro Lime Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
Instructions
- Add the Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, salt, and chipotle powder to a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cook the corn using your preferred method:
- Grill: Cook over medium-high heat for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally until lightly charred.
- Boil: Add corn to boiling water and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Let the corn cool, then cut the kernels from the cob.
- Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice.
- Massage the kale with your hands for about 5 minutes until softened and reduced in volume.
- Add the corn kernels, cotija cheese, red onion, and avocado to the bowl.
- Drizzle with the desired amount of cilantro lime dressing and gently toss to combine.
- Top with crushed tortilla chips just before serving.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Don’t skip massaging the kale—it makes the leaves tender and less bitter.
- Grilled corn adds the most authentic street corn flavor.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for extra protein.
- For meal prep, store the dressing separately and add avocado just before serving.
- Garnish with extra cotija cheese, cilantro, or jalapeño slices for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling / Boiling
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 255 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg