Esquites - Mexican Corn Salad

Esquites, the Mexican Corn Salad is a sweet and spicy roasted corn salad which showcase two things -  bold Mexican flavors and simplicity of ingredients. Pleasantly spicy, smokey, and perfect combination of sweet and sour.. Esquites is MUST try salad at-least once in lifetime. 

Esquites is a three-in-one recipe. 1) It is a zippy corn salad, 2) an amazing side to grilled dinner, 3) also a salsa with everything-you-want to top on of tacos (Chicken Tacos). 4) (not official) I even love enjoying Esquites as Dip with chips. Weekend's BBQ, Taco Tuesday, Memorial Day or 4th of July, Esquites will steal the show. I bet! Your guests will fall in LOVE.

Let's make Esquites Mexicanos! Shall we?

Oh, before you read on, I must tell you that this week is all Mexican food. Please don't forget to save some of esquites because next recipe love a side of corn salad!

...on a second thought, you can actually eat it all, and make more later!

Fact one, esquites is super easy to put together.

Fact two, it is hard to stop at one serving!

I first had Mexican Corn Salad, specially Esquites, in a local Mexican Restaurant. Actually, we did not even order it but chef sent a small plate as compliment on-the-house.

Hmm.. well, I wonder how did he know I LOVE Mexican food. ;-) And salads! Send me a salad as compliments and I will become loyal restaurant customer! Only one condition, salad has to be good and delicious! That Esquites was Delish!

Esquites Ingredients:

Don't let the Spanish name intimidate you. Like I said, the ingredients for esquites are very simple. Cumin, smoked paprika, some fresh salsa (recipe in recipe card), lime juice, sour cream and corn. Simple, right? You will have most of them in pantry. S

Simple ingredients yet ones that create delicious flavor combo when come together.. So, I highly recommend sticking to the recipe. Please add fresh pico de gayo, toasted cumin, and smoked paprika. Also, don't skimp on lime juice and creama (or sour cream). Do this, and this salad will be your favorite all summer long. Even though esquites is best served on side with tacos, or a hearty Mexican meal.. I love eating just salad sometimes.

To prepare the Esquites, I start by roasting the corn on open flame..

Oh wait! You can also skip reading this and jump straight to the video tutorial (coming soon). It will guide you through making of esquites recipe in just few minutes!

.. So, I was saying, I roast the corn on open flame. Once corn kernels are beautifully charred and roasted.. I run knife through and separate the corn into a bowl.

Once corn is ready, a quick mix of cumin, paprika, crema, lime juice and salsa... and esquites is ready to devour!

Does this look delicious or what?! How about on tacos for Taco Tuesday? (yumm)

My special favorite is sweetness of corn paired with tang of lime, sour cream and smokey heat of chilies.

What does Esquites mean?

Esquites meaning is as simple as the recipe - it simply means toasted corn. I decided to fire roast the corn to bring out more of a smoky flavor but you can toast the corn any ways you prefer:

Ways to Toast Corn:

1) Remove kernels and toast in a tablespoon of butter.
2) Roast corn on the cob in oven.
3) Grill the corn while grilling on a weekend.
4) Steam or boil corn, then saute in pan.

Idea is to cook to the corn which brings out it's sweetness... with spices and chilies, it is Mexican Corn of my dreams. Well, can't believe I just said that. Now, since secret is out, I must tell you that I'm not so fan of corn on the cob. I mean, I love the flavor and sweetness of corn but biting into cob is not my thing. So, I love when roasted corn, specially with Mexican spiced flavors, comes in such spoon-able salads. Hmm.. looks like someone is too lazy. ;-) 

Just so you know, esquites recipe is also gluten free. Can be vegan (follow suggestion from Recipe Card)

... spoon-abilities remind me, esquites can be served chilled. However, I prefer it at room temperature. Either ways, I recommend adding salsa, and sour cream or mexicanos creama (if using), just before serving. This way you can even heat esquites if planing to eat warm. 

Update: Esquites recipe was first shared on blog in June 2017. Today, I updated the pictures. Old picture sneak peak in steps.

-Savita