Description
This Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad is a bold, flavor-packed dish made with smoky corn, creamy avocado, tangy cotija cheese, and a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It’s a fresh, satisfying salad perfect for quick lunches, healthy dinners, or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the salad:
- 1 bunch green kale, stems removed and chopped
- 2 ears of corn, shucked and silk removed
- ½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1–2 avocados, diced or sliced
- Crushed tortilla chips (for garnish)
- Juice of ½–1 lime
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
For the cilantro lime dressing:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (leaves and stems)
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp chipotle powder
Instructions
- Make the dressing:
Add Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, salt, and chipotle powder to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use. - Cook the corn:
- Grill method: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill corn for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally until lightly charred.
- Boil method: Boil corn for 1–2 minutes until tender.
Let cool, then slice kernels off the cob.
- Massage the kale:
Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice. Massage with your hands for 4–5 minutes until softened. - Assemble the salad:
Add corn, cotija cheese, red onion, and avocado to the kale. Toss with desired amount of dressing. - Serve:
Top with crushed tortilla chips and serve immediately.
Notes
- Massage the kale well to reduce bitterness and improve texture.
- Add avocado just before serving to keep it fresh.
- Adjust chipotle powder for more or less heat.
- Frozen corn works in a pinch—just sauté for a slight char.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: Tossed / Grilled or Boiled
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg