Description
This Mexican Street Corn Kale Salad is a fresh and flavorful side dish inspired by classic Mexican street corn. Tender kale is massaged until perfectly soft, then tossed with smoky grilled corn, creamy avocado, cotija cheese, red onion, and a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It’s an easy, healthy recipe that’s perfect for BBQs, potlucks, meal prep, or busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 1 bunch green kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 2 ears fresh 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 chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Add the Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, salt, and chipotle powder to a food processor. Blend until smooth and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cook the corn: Grill the corn over medium-high heat for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally until lightly charred. Alternatively, boil the corn for 1–2 minutes. Let cool, then slice the kernels off the cob.
- Massage the kale: Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lime juice. Massage with your hands for about 5 minutes until the leaves become darker, softer, and reduced in volume.
- Assemble the salad: Add the grilled corn, cotija cheese, chopped red onion, and avocado to the kale.
- Dress the salad: Pour the desired amount of cilantro lime dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve: Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over the top just before serving and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Massage the kale well for the best texture and flavor.
- Fresh grilled corn gives the salad the most authentic street corn taste, but frozen corn works in a pinch.
- Add tortilla chips right before serving to keep them crunchy.
- Store the dressing separately if making ahead.
- Feta cheese makes a great substitute for cotija.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 360 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: 15 mg