By Becky Hardin
Published Apr 29, 2023
Esquites is a popular Mexican street food snack that consists of creamy, flavorful street corn in a cup (Elote en vaso). Fresh corn is mixed with mayo, crema, lime, and chili to create a cheesy corn salad that is unbelievably delicious! You only need a few ingredients and a few minutes to make this fun party appetizer for Cinco de Mayo.
What’s in this Esquites recipe
This Mexican street food recipe is creamy, cheesy, and so easy to make. Corn, mayo, crema, and lime are traditionally served in a cup for easy snacking, but you can also serve it simply as a side dish.
- Corn: I recommend using freshly-cooked corn on the cob , or grilled Mexican corn , and cutting off the kernels. This creates the best, freshest, most delicious flavor. But you can use canned or frozen corn for a quicker option.
- Mayonnaise : Mayo creates a really creamy texture and holds all the ingredients together. You can use plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Crema: Mexican crema adds more tang and has a nice consistency that works well in this corn salad. You can substitute sour cream, but it will give you a slightly different result.
- Lime Juice: Freshly-squeezed lime juice adds bright acidity for the perfect flavor.
- Queso Fresco: This is a tangy, crumbly white cheese that adds more texture. You can use Cotija cheese or feta crumbles as a substitute.
- Chili Powder: This adds a little bit of heat. You can also use Tajin seasoning.
Pro Tip: Turn this corn and mayo salad into an easy-to-eat party appetizer by layering the Esquites into cups with the queso fresco and chili powder. Top with lime slices and serve with a spoon!
What else can I add to Mexican street corn salad?
The simplicity of this traditional esquites recipe is part of its appeal, but you can add more ingredients to spice things up!
Mix in jalapeno slices, scallions, or red onions. Add garlic powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, or taco seasoning . Top off each cup of corn with lime wedges, taco sauce , or hot sauce.
Elote is grilled street corn slathered with a creamy mayo sauce, and topped with chili and lime. The difference is that Elote is served on the cob, while esquites is served in a cup (off the cob), more like a salad.
Freshly cooked corn on the cob works best for this Mexican street corn salad. You can cook corn on the cob by adding them to boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. You can also cook it on the grill to get it nice and charred. In a pinch, you can use canned or frozen corn. If using canned, be sure to drain the kernels well before using, and if using frozen, thaw and pat dry before mixing with the other ingredients.
It’s typically served warm in a cup, but it can be served cold as well.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Mexican corn salad in an airtight container, and keep it in the refrigerator up to 5 days. You can eat it cold, or gently warm it in the microwave, or in a skillet over low heat.
How to Serve Esquites
Since it’s a Mexican street food, authentic esquites corn is served in a cup with a spoon for easy snacking on the go. This makes them great Cinco de Mayo appetizers that are easy to serve and share along with tortilla chips , fun taco recipes , and margaritas .
It’s also delicious with other Mexican snacks, like chicken nachos , crispy taquitos , a Crunchwrap Supreme , 7 layer dip cups , churros , or enchilada cups .
Finish everything off with refreshing mangonadas or Pineapple Agua Fresca .
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 cups of corn cut off of the cob or canned corn*
- ▢ 1 cup of mayonnaise
- ▢ 2 tablespoons of table crema
- ▢ 1 lime juiced
- ▢ Salt to taste
- ▢ ½ cup of queso fresco
- ▢ 2 teaspoons of chili powder or tajin seasoning
Instructions
- Mix the corn, mayonnaise, table crema, lime juice and salt together in a large bowl. 4 cups of corn, 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of table crema, 1 lime, Salt to taste
- Fill the cups that you are using half-way with the corn, sprinkle in a layer of queso fresco and a bit of chili powder or tajin on top, then fill the cups all the way with the corn mixture. ½ cup of queso fresco, 2 teaspoons of chili powder or tajin seasoning
- Sprinkle the top with some more queso fresco and tajin or chili powder and serve immediately.
Becky’s Tips
- These esquites can be stored for up to five days in an airtight container in the fridge, without the queso fresco and tajin or chili powder.
- *Freshly cooked corn on the cob, then cut off works best for this.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Mexican Street Corn Recipes We Love
- Healthy Mexican Street Corn
- Mexican Street Corn Dip
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken
- Elote (Mexican Corn on the Cob)
- Mexican Street Corn Salsa
- Corn Riblets
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 cups of corn cut off of the cob or canned corn*
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of table crema
- 1 lime juiced
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup of queso fresco
- 2 teaspoons of chili powder or tajin seasoning
Instructions
- Mix the corn, mayonnaise, table crema, lime juice and salt together in a large bowl. 4 cups of corn, 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of table crema, 1 lime, Salt to taste
- Fill the cups that you are using half-way with the corn, sprinkle in a layer of queso fresco and a bit of chili powder or tajin on top, then fill the cups all the way with the corn mixture. ½ cup of queso fresco, 2 teaspoons of chili powder or tajin seasoning
- Sprinkle the top with some more queso fresco and tajin or chili powder and serve immediately.
Notes
- These esquites can be stored for up to five days in an airtight container in the fridge, without the queso fresco and tajin or chili powder.
- *Freshly cooked corn on the cob, then cut off works best for this.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
