Jeanette's Healthy Living

Where delicious and healthy come together

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • List of All Recipes (alphabetical)
    • Breakfast
    • appetizers
    • soups
    • salads
    • main courses
    • side dishes
    • dips and sauces
    • beverages
    • smoothies
    • Desserts and Cookies
  • Special Diets
    • gluten-free
    • dairy-free
    • vegetarian
    • vegan
    • Liquid/Soft Food Diet
    • Pureed Food Diet
    • Low Residue Diet
  • Cancer Cooking
  • Faith
  • Healthy Living
    • Healthy Living
    • travel
  • About
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Work With Me
    • Media Features
    • Terms & Conditions

Light Mexican Corn Salad Recipe (Esquites)

July 3, 2013 by Jeanette

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
1.6K shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

This Mexican Corn Salad or Esquites recipe is a lightened version of a common street food. Spiked with lime juice, chili powder, and pillowey cilantro leaves, it’s a party in your mouth.
Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) © Jeanette's Healthy Living
I always look forward to summer corn and although our local corn harvest has yet to ripen, I’ve been picking up some fresh Florida corn from our supermarket lately. I can’t wait until our farmer’s market starts carrying fresh corn, but in the meanwhile, I’m thankful that we have access to fresh corn.

Although I love just steaming corn or throwing it on the grill, I thought I’d have some fun with this Mexican Corn Salad or Esquites as it’s called. Esquites is actually a street food, commonly found in Mexico, which is simply corn served with mayonnaise, Cojita cheese, cilantro and chili powder. The combination might sound a bit strange if you’ve never tried it before, but it actually works.
Mexican Corn Salad Esquites © Jeanette's Healthy Living
To lighten up the Esquites a bit, I substituted non-fat Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise. Traditionally Cojita cheese is used (I found this in the Latin American section of the dairy aisle), but if you can’t find it, try substituting Romano cheese.

This is a creamy sort of salad that is kid-friendly, and a nice way to switch things up for your family or for entertaining this summer. I was a bit worried when I served this unusual salad to my kids as I’ve never mixed corn with cheese before, but they really liked this combination.
Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) © Jeanette's Healthy Living
Scallions or cilantro make great garnishes that can be tossed in just before serving. Although best served warm, I’ve eaten leftovers cold as a topping for salads, and it’s still really good.

Today, I’m participating in Food Networks’s SummerFest event where corn is being featured. Please be sure to check out what my fellow foodies made this week!

Jeanette’s Healthy Living: Mexican Corn Salad “Esquites”
Virtually Homemade: Grilled Corn with Ancho Chili Butter and Fresh Lime
Domesticate Me: Campfire Chicken Packets with Zucchini, Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
Dishin & Dishes: Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn) Three Ways
Feed Me Phoebe: Corn on the Cob with Sriracha Lime Butter
Taste With The Eyes: Hello Summer Salad
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Fresh Corn, Roasted Tomato and Pickled Garlic Pizza with Cornmeal Crust
Red or Green?: Corn & Green Chile Corn Muffins
Made by Michelle: Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Blue Apron Blog: Summer Succotash with Cod and Pickled Grapes
Devour: Four Grilled Corn Favorites
The Heritage Cook: Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
The Sensitive Epicure: Cilantro Rice with Corn, Black Beans and Avocados
Pinch My Salt: Grilled Corn Guacamole
Daily*Dishin: Manchego Lime Roasted Corn
Weelicious: Corn Salsa
FN Dish: Off the Cob Salads

Print

Light Mexican Corn Salad – Esquites

If you can't find cojita cheese, try substituing Romano cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 4 ears fresh corn shucked
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons cotija cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup minced scallions
  • 1/2 cup minced cilantro
  • 1/2-1 fresh jalapeno seeded, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • chili powder optional

Instructions

  1. Lightly brush corn with olive oil; grill for 7-8 minutes until brown in spots. Cut corn off cob into a bowl. Add yogurt, cheese, scallions, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic and lime juice. Toss well. Add chili powder if desired.

Related Posts
Filter by
Post Page
gluten-free vegetables dips and sauces salads side dishes Clean Eating New Year vegetarian healthy choices csa Dinner main courses Kids Cooking Pantry Recipe whole grain chicken lunch appetizers Super Bowl dairy-free Beans/Legumes Family Summer Recipes ENTERTAINING
Sort by
Mexican Chopped Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing © Jeanette

Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Yogurt Avocado Dressing Recipe

2019-05-01 05:00:00
jeanette

18

Mexican Corn Tomato Feta Salad - you

Mexican Corn Tomato Feta Salad Recipe

2018-06-20 05:00:38
jeanette

18

Mexican Corn Quinoa Salad © Jeanette

Mexican Corn Quinoa Salad Recipe

2018-06-06 05:00:39
jeanette

18

Gluten Free Taco Nacho Macaroni and Cheese - a quick, easy, healthy and delicious kids dinner recipe + 3 tips on how to get your kids active in the kitchen

Gluten Free Mexican Taco Nacho Mac and Cheese Recipe

2015-04-21 05:00:20
jeanette

18

Turkey Taco Meatloaf Muffins - super kid-friendly, delicious, nutritious and they reheat really well

Gluten-Free Mexican Turkey Taco Meatloaf Muffins Recipe

2014-10-27 05:00:22
jeanette

18

Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressing © Jeanette

Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressing

2013-05-08 12:12:44
jeanette

18

9 Layer Mexican Superbowl Dip © Jeanette

9 Layer Mexican Dip Recipe for Super Bowl

2013-01-31 05:00:26
jeanette

18

"Cha Cha Bowl" (Mexican Chicken Black Bean Rice Bowl)

Cha Cha Bowl (Recipe for Mexican Chicken and Black Bean Rice Bowl)

2012-05-25 06:00:28
jeanette

18

100+ Summer Salads

100+ Summer Salad Recipes

2021-06-21 00:00:31
jeanette

8

75 Summer Side Dish Recipes

Healthy Summer Side Dish Recipes

2020-07-01 00:45:50
jeanette

8

1.6K shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

Filed Under: csa, gluten-free, salads, side dishes, vegetables, vegetarian Tagged With: corn salad, esquites recipe, farmer's market salad, light corn salad, light esquites, Mexican corn salad

« Steamed Swiss Chard with Soy Sesame Sauce Recipe
Jeanette’s Healthy Living Turns Three Years Old and a Happy 4th of July! »

Comments

  1. EA-The Spicy RD says

    July 3, 2013 at 10:09 am

    I’ve made something similar to this, on cob, and it really is delicious. Great recipe Jeanette, and I can’t wait to make it!

    • Jeanette says

      July 7, 2013 at 12:03 am

      Thanks EA – I have to try this on the cob!

  2. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    July 3, 2013 at 11:27 am

    What a great looking salad! I love all the vibrant, summery flavors and how colorful it is. I’d eat it as-is or spoon it over some grilled meats! Thanks for sharing, Jeanette.

    • Jeanette says

      July 7, 2013 at 12:03 am

      Thanks Georgia – I love summer veggies, and I think this would be terrific over anything grilled!

  3. Kelly says

    July 3, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    This salad looks wonderful! I really like that you lightened it up by using non-fat Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. My hubby and son live off corn all summer so this recipe sounds great 🙂

    • Jeanette says

      July 4, 2013 at 11:57 pm

      Thanks Kelly – non-fat Greek yogurt has become my go-to substitute for mayonnaise and sour cream. I love that it is packed with protein. I couldn’t agree more – corn is something I look forward to each summer!

  4. napa farmhouse 1885/diane says

    July 3, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    sounds delicious jeanette!

  5. Serena says

    July 3, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    Oh! I’ve been searching and searching for a way to lighten my fave corn on the cob version from a fabulous Mexican place near our old home. NOW I can make it at our new house… and lightened! Yay! Thanks! Pinning now!

    • Jeanette says

      July 7, 2013 at 12:04 am

      Serena – Greek yogurt is an easy way to lighten up so many recipes – hope you enjoy this as much as my family has!

  6. Katie says

    July 6, 2013 at 12:47 am

    Great minds think aike! Can’t believe we both ,are Esquites! Isn’t it wonderful!?

    • Jeanette says

      July 6, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      That is funny Katie! Loving Esquites, like a party in your mouth!

  7. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    July 8, 2013 at 3:30 am

    I’ve seen this Mexican corn but have never tasted it before. I should make this as we love grilled corn, especially kids. Love all the ingredients for the post – light and perfect for summer!

    • Jeanette says

      July 8, 2013 at 8:36 pm

      Nami – I’d seen this corn salad around too and finally got around to trying it. The only thing was I wanted to eliminate the mayonnaise and butter to make it healthier. My kids really enjoyed it – it’s a nice way to mix things up.

  8. harry truelove says

    January 24, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    You’re a wonderful amazing chef, I kept your recipes, they just sound fantastic Mrs. Chen thank for all your sharing as always, I admire your art. Thank you harry truelove google+ oh by the way those dishes sound great for diabetics.

    • Jeanette says

      January 26, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks Harry – I appreciate your feedback. Yes, many of my recipes would be fine for those with diabetes.

Hi! I'm Jeanette - welcome! Step into my kitchen, where you'll find healthy dishes packed with flavor and goodness.

[Read More …]

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Get Your Free e-Book!

Weekly College Meal Planner

Good recipes come to those who subscribe!

Archives

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

1.6K shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Yummly