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Lunch Mexican
4.6 from 38 votes

Mexican Street Corn Slaw

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •8/28/22 17 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Mexican Street Corn Slaw recipe is about to be your new favorite side dish! This smoky, creamy slaw complete with sweet charred corn and salty feta cheese will have you hooked from the first bite.

overhead shot of Mexican Street Corn Slaw on a platter

If anyone ever tells you that coleslaw is boring, you prove them wrong with this recipe. I’ve always been a huge fan of Mexican street corn salad! With coleslaw being such a beautifully simple base, it only made sense to combine these two. I am so glad that I did! You will be too when you give it a try.

What Is Mexican Street Corn?

Also known as “esquites”, this popular street food is commonly served hot topped with mayo, chili powder or hot sauce, and lime juice. It’s also common to see variations of this amazing street food to eat right off the cob!

If you know this recipe well, you might notice I used feta cheese instead of the traditionally called-for cotija cheese. This is simply because feta is much easier to find in my part of the world and is a perfectly suitable substitute. Feel free to use cotija in your version!

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make Mexican Street Corn Slaw

Ingredients

Coleslaw and Mexican street corn salad are a match made in heaven! Both made with a creamy dressing, the sweet corn and extra oomph from cumin and smoked paprika completely change the coleslaw game! Keep scrolling for the full recipe and ingredient amounts.

For the dressing:

  • Mayonnaise – Feel free to use any type you like. I prefer to use a mild flavored mayo so it doesn’t overpower the salad.
  • Sour cream – I love this ingredient because it gives you a creamy dressing without mayo being the predominant flavor.
  • Lime juice – Always go for fresh limes if you can! They make all the difference. You can add more or less if you wish.
  • Cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika – These powerhouse spices is what will give your slaw so much great flavor. Make sure you have smoked paprika rather than regular or sweet.
  • Salt & pepper – Season the dressing to taste.

For the slaw:

  • Olive oil – You might think this ingredient should belong with the dressing. We actually use the olive oil to saute the corn and jalapeños to give your salad extra flavor!
  • Corn – I used fresh corn sliced off the cob. You can use frozen or canned corn instead.
  • Jalapenos – While there’s just one pepper in this recipe, you can use as many as you like or none at all.
  • Cabbage – I used red cabbage but you can use green or a mixture of the two. Don’t use a softer variety such as Napa as those types get too soft with the dressing.
  • Bell pepper – Use any type of bell pepper that you like best.
  • Fresh cilantro – I know some of you don’t like cilantro and that’s okay! You can use some parsley for extra greenery or leave it out completely.
  • Green onions – You can also use other mild flavored onions such as white or yellow.
  • Feta cheese – A Mexican street corn salad traditionally calls for cotija cheese. If that’s hard for you to find like it was for me, feta will work in its place.
process shots showing how to make Mexican Street Corn Slaw

How Do I Shred Cabbage?

You can shred your cabbage with with either a knife or using a mandoline. Start by slicing the cabbage in half from the top. Cut along the core with 2 slices creating a V and remove it. Repeat this for the other half of the cabbage. Now you’re ready to shred to your desired thickness and method!

What Else Can I Mix Into My Slaw?

Feel free to get creative with your slaw! Try some of these ideas:

  • Pepitas, sunflower seeds, or poppy seeds
  • Dried fruit
  • Avocado
  • Cucumber
  • Chickpeas
  • Bacon
Mexican Street Corn Slaw on a white platter

How to Make Mexican Street Corn Slaw Recipe

  1. Prep the corn and dressing: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and jalapeños and cook until they begin to char, 5-7 minutes. Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Finish the slaw: Add all the slaw ingredients to a large bowl with the corn, jalapeno, and dressing. Toss well and serve.

This beautiful salad sure does look and taste like a lot more effort was put in. No one has to know you simply threw it together! It’ll be our secret.

What to Serve With It

Try this recipe alongside these BBQ favorites!

  • Perfect Pulled Pork
  • Beer Can Chicken
  • Instant Pot BBQ Pork Ribs
  • Oven Baked Beef Brisket
  • Pork Carnitas
  • Red Chimichurri Chicken Wings

You can serve this delicious slaw with pretty much anything. Id’ be lying if I said I haven’t just eaten it on its own as a meal! It’s just that good.

Leftovers

Store leftover Mexican street corn slaw in an airtight container and it will last in the fridge for 3-5 days. Because cabbage is so sturdy, this is a salad that can still be enjoyed as leftovers without getting soggy.

Mexican Street Corn Slaw closeup

Did You Love This Recipe? Try These!

  • Mexican Street Corn Salad
  • Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
  • Avocado Shrimp Salsa
  • Cowboy Pasta Salad
  • Greek Salad
  • Mediterranean Orzo Salad
  • Easy Potato Salad
  • Air Fryer Corn On The Cob

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of Mexican street corn slaw on a large serving plate
Print
4.58 from 38 votes

Mexican Street Corn Slaw

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 7 minutes
Total 22 minutes
Rate Recipe
This Mexican Street Corn Slaw recipe is about to be your new favorite side dish! This smoky, creamy slaw complete with sweet charred corn and salty feta cheese will have you hooked from the first bite.
8

Ingredients

Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice (1 lime)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Slaw

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups corn
  • 1 jalapeno (diced small)
  • 4 cups red cabbage (shredded)
  • 1 green bell pepper (julienned)
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
  • 6 green onions (sliced)
  • ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Prep the corn and dressing: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and jalapeños and cook until they begin to char, 5-7 minutes. Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Finish the slaw: Add all the slaw ingredients to a large bowl with the corn mixture, and dressing. Toss well and serve.

Equipment

  • Mandoline Slicer

Notes

Recipe time is based upon using pre-shredded cabbage.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and it will last in the fridge for 3-5 days. Because cabbage is so sturdy, this is a salad that can still be enjoyed as leftovers without getting soggy.
Nutrition: Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 224kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 15g (5%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fat: 18g (28%)Saturated Fat: 5g (31%)Cholesterol: 22mg (7%)Sodium: 371mg (16%)Potassium: 286mg (8%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 1155IU (23%)Vitamin C: 44.6mg (54%)Calcium: 92mg (9%)Iron: 1.1mg (6%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of Mexican street corn slaw on a large serving plate

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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17 Comments
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Carol U
Carol U
Posted: 8 months ago

5 stars
Delicious!
Used cotija instead of feta
Rave reviews from a hard to please foodie family!

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Carol U
Posted: 8 months ago

Glad you guys liked it!

0
Reply
Emma Westcott
Emma Westcott
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
I’m so glad I found this recipe today, it’s the best coleslaw I’ve ever made! Thank you 🙂

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Emma Westcott
Posted: 1 year ago

My pleasure, so glad you like it!

0
Reply
Lise
Lise
Posted: 1 year ago

This recipe is so delicious! Goes so well with tex mex flavors. I will make it next time I have a picnic as it will pair so yummy with hot dogs, baked beans, etc. YUMMY!

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Reply to  Lise
Posted: 1 year ago

Those are great ideas! So glad you enjoyed this recipe so much!

0
Reply
Cindy Geboy
Cindy Geboy
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
Excellent!

0
Reply
t.lovelylady
t.lovelylady
Posted: 2 years ago

So if I’m making for a summer dinner party as a side with the entree being Birria Quesatacos con Consomé, should I make the slaw the night before and put in fridge? I’m thinking the flavors will be meshed so much better overnight….

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  t.lovelylady
Posted: 2 years ago

Yes, for sure, I think this is one of those salads that will taste better the next day.

0
Reply
Lisa
Lisa
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
This was SO DELICIOUS,! I even substituted fat free greek yogurt for the sour cream and vegan mayo for the mayo (it’s what I had on hand) and I’m really impressed! Thank you!!!!

0
Reply
Teresa
Teresa
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
This recipe is fabulous!! So refreshing when it is served with other spicy Mexican dishes. The flavors pop in your mouth! I left out the bell pepper only because I didn’t have one.

Bravo👏👏👏

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Teresa
Posted: 3 years ago

Yay! Glad to hear you like it!

0
Reply
Kimberly Brandt
Kimberly Brandt
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
I made this last night for my lunch today. It only tasted ok last night…but for lunch today I cannot get over how amazing it is! The flavour is just FANTASTIC! I added raw onion instead of spring onion. I live in Hong Kong so jalapenos are hard to find, so i added a splash of mala sauce instead for spice and grilled chicken for some protein. I’m going to try it with tuna next. thank you! making my slaw lunches much more exciting 🙂

0
Reply
Lydia
Lydia
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
The slaw is so delicious and easy to make. The charred corn gives it so much flavour. Had the slaw with your Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole. Yummy!!!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lydia
Posted: 3 years ago

Thanks, Lydia! Happy to hear you like this salad, it’s a favorite during the summer months!

0
Reply
Anne Dietrich
Anne Dietrich
Posted: 3 years ago

Question…..
For this recipe, do you use cooked corn, or fresh and then into skillet?? Is corn boiled or fresh off the cob?

Thank you!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Anne Dietrich
Posted: 3 years ago

The corn is fresh off the cob then cooked in the skillet. You can also use frozen or canned.

0
Reply

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