Chili-Lime Street Corn Salad
My father-in-law is amazing at gardening, and every summer, he has a massive garden full of fresh produce. He’s always generous enough to share the bountiful harvest with us, and this time, he brought over okra, corn, tomatoes, zucchini, and more. With eight ears of corn sitting in my fridge, I wanted to think of a creative way to use them instead of just grilling or boiling them on the cob. Since Mexican food is a favorite in our household, the idea for a queso fresco corn salad quickly sprouted in my mind. Combining the sweetness of the corn with the creamy, tangy queso cheese and a burst of vibrant flavor from the tomatoes, this salad became a summer sensation in our home. It's the perfect balance of freshness and indulgence, and every bite reminds us of the love and care that went into growing those vegetables in that massive garden.
This salad has some heat to it from the cayenne pepper, giving it a flavorful kick. However, for those who aren't big fans of spice, you can always adjust the recipe by using just 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne to reduce the spiciness. Additionally, if fresh corn isn't readily available or you're looking to save some time, feel free to substitute it with two cans of corn. The convenience of using canned corn won't compromise the deliciousness of this salad.
Chili-Lime Street Corn Salad
Ingredients
8 ears of corn (or 2 cans of corn)
1 pint red cherry tomatoes
12 oz block queso fresco
1 lime
2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 & ½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon garlic
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Instructions
Remove corn from husks and silk. Fill a large pot with water and add the ears of corn. Bring to a boil and continue to boil for approximately 8 minutes. Using tongs, remove corn and allow the ears of corn to completely cool.
In a large bowl, cut the corn from the cob.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
Using a fork, crumble queso into the salad.
Lastly, squeeze lime juice into the salad and add the remaining reasonings. Toss once more and serve. Enjoy!
