Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

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A delicious MEXICAN STREET CORN Pasta salad with tons of veggies, bacon, and a simple creamy CHILI LIME dressing. Recipe via chelseasmessyapron.com

One of the most popular recipes on this site: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! Toss bowtie pasta with lots of corn, fresh herbs, black beans, and a simple creamy chili-lime dressing.

We love getting creative and playing off the flavors of Elote (Mexican Street Corn); try some of our other fun recipes next: Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos, Mexican Street Corn and Chicken Chowder, or Loaded Sweet Potatoes with a Mexican street corn-inspired topping.

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

There is a pretty close schedule I stick to on what recipes get shared on the site. I work usually up to a month ahead of time, so the content is created a few weeks before you’ll see it here. But every once in a while, I’ll switch up the entire schedule because I’m bursting at the seam to share something.

Today is that day. This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is one of my all-time favorite pasta salad creations. This may be because corn is my favorite veggie, Mexican Street Corn is my favorite way to enjoy said veggie, and adding pasta for a self-proclaimed carb addict was the best decision ever. Also, did I mention avocados, lime, cilantro, jalapeños, cheese, green onions, and bacon?!

Ingredients for Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad: The Dressing

I’m pretty sure those are all my favorite ingredients together in one happy place. And we haven’t even started on the dressing yet. The best part is you just have to whisk the few ingredients together and it’s ready to go. No blender needed! Below are a few quick tips:

  • We love Hellman’s/Best Foods® mayonnaise best in this dressing. It has a robust flavor without being too sweet.
  • As for spiciness, I’d rate the dressing to be very slightly spicy. If you’d like to make it milder, reduce or omit the Sriracha/hot sauce and be sure to use McCormick® seasonings. (We find them very mild.) Keep in mind that reducing or omitting spice will reduce the overall flavor of the salad.
    • Alternatively, amp up the heat by adding in 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
  • The dressing calls for lime juice and zest. If you use citrus a lot when cooking/baking, having a good citrus juicer and microplane is invaluable!
  • Make ahead: This dressing does really well being made ahead of time. (In fact, it gets even more flavorful as the ingredients meld!) Whisk it together and refrigerate in an air-tight container until ready to use.
    • Dressing will stay good for 5-7 stored properly in an airtight container (or mason jar) in the fridge.

Process shots of making the dressing, preparing pasta and charring the corn for the salad.

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad: The Salad Ingredients

Beyond the dressing, we have the actual salad ingredients. Below is a quick breakdown, along with some notes:

  • Pasta: We like regular-sized farfalle (also called bowtie) pasta best in this salad. Other types of noodles will work; just be sure to use noodles that have a lot of ridges. The more texture, the better the dressing will coat.
  • Corn: Use fresh, frozen, or even canned! More on this ingredient in the section entitled “Let’s Talk Corn” below.
  • Avocado: A ripe avocado makes all the difference — it adds a wonderful texture and flavor to the salad. You can tell if an avocado is ripe when it yields to gentle pressure (think: touching the tip of your nose).
  • Fresh herbs: Cilantro and green onions add such great contrasting flavors and a slight citrus note to the salad. If you aren’t a cilantro fan, use extra green onions instead!
  • Jalapeño: Be sure to remove the ribs and seeds of the jalapeño before finely dicing.
  • Bacon: For super-quick prep, use pre-cooked bacon that you crisp up in the microwave.
  • Cheese: For a more authentic Mexican Street Corn flavor, go for Cotija cheese. It’s typically near specialty cheeses in the grocery store. An easy alternative is Queso Fresco which is generally near mozzarella and refrigerated tortillas in the grocery store. As a last resort, you can use feta cheese and it works surprisingly well! Depending on the cheese used, you may want less than the recipe indicates. (Cotija is much saltier than Queso Fresco, so you’ll want a lot less of it.)
  • Optional — black beans: We like the color and protein black beans add, but it’s entirely up to how you like your Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad!

QUICK TIP

If you prefer less spice in this salad, leave out the jalapeños. Alternatively, amp up the spice by adding in more!

Cheese and dressing being added to the Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad.

Let’s talk corn

There are a few different options for preparing the corn for Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad.

  • One is going the authentic route and grilling the corn until lightly charred all over. If you have a grill and the extra time, I would highly recommend going this route — it is incredible what freshly grilled corn does for this salad! See the “quick tip” box below.
  • Buy pre-roasted canned corn (near regular canned corn in the grocery store) and use two cans, drained.
  • Buy regular canned corn and roast it for a few minutes on the stovetop. More details on how to do that here.
  • Or, use frozen corn. Add it into the boiling pasta water for the last minute of cooking time.

QUICK TIP

How to grill corn: Peel back husks and remove the silk. Rub vegetable or olive oil on all sides of the corn and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place on heated grill (400-450 degrees F) and rotate every 3-4 minutes or until charred, about 12 minutes total. (This also works on a grill pan!)

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

QUICK TIP

Don’t forget to salt the pasta water. Make sure the pasta is well-salted as it cooks since this is the only chance you have to season the actual pasta. Underseasoned pasta will make the entire salad taste less flavorful. As a general rule of thumb, I add 1 teaspoon of salt to every 4 cups of boiling water.

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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

5 from 90 votes
One of the most popular recipes on this site: Mexican Street Corn Pasta salad! Toss bowtie pasta with lots of corn, fresh herbs, black beans, and a simple creamy chili-lime dressing.
A delicious Mexican Street Corn Pasta salad with tons of veggies and a simple creamy dressing. Recipe from chelseasmessyapron.com
Print Recipe

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

A delicious Mexican Street Corn Pasta salad with tons of veggies and a simple creamy dressing. Recipe from chelseasmessyapron.com
5 from 90 votes
One of the most popular recipes on this site: Mexican Street Corn Pasta salad! Toss bowtie pasta with lots of corn, fresh herbs, black beans, and a simple creamy chili-lime dressing.
Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican, Vegetarian
Keyword Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 34 minutes
Servings 6 -8 as a side
Chelsea Lords
Calories 692kcal
Cost $8.21

Ingredients

Salad

  • 2 cups regular farfalle/bowtie pasta, (measured uncooked)
  • 3 cups frozen corn (or 2 (15-ounce) cans, or 3-4 corns on the cob) Note 1
  • 3 green onions (1/3 cup)
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro (1/2 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeño peppers
  • 6-8 strips hardwood smoked bacon
  • 1/2 cup Queso Fresco Cheese Note 2
  • 1 large avocado, diced
  • Optional: 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained & rinsed

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup full-fat regular mayo (we love Hellman's/Best Foods)
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha or hot sauce
  • Salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

  • PASTA: Prepare the pasta according to package directions. (Don't cook all the pasta; only use 2 cups!) Make sure to generously salt the water (I add 1 teaspoon to every 4 cups of water), or the whole salad will taste under-seasoned. If using frozen corn, add it in with the pasta for the last minute of boiling. Drain pasta, rinse under cold water, let cool, and allow to completely dry.
  • CORN: See Note 1.
  • VEGGIE PREP: Chop the green onions, coarsely chop the cilantro, very finely chop the jalapeño, cook and crumble the bacon. Crumble the cheese. Drain and rinse optional black beans. Lastly, chop the avocado into small pieces.
  • DRESSING: Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. (I add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.) Whisk until smooth and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • SALAD ASSEMBLY: In a large bowl, combine the completely dry and cooled pasta, cooled corn, avocado, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, bacon, and cheese (See Note 2). **If you don't plan on eating this in one sitting (and soon after it's made), don't add the bacon, cheese, or avocado. Add those in separately right before enjoying.** Drizzle on dressing and gently toss to coat. Enjoy salad immediately! Leftovers don't store well once dressed.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Several different options for corn preparation: 
  • Grill the corn until lightly charred all over. To grill corn: Peel back husks and remove the silk. Rub vegetable or olive oil on all sides of the corn and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place on heated grill (400-450 degrees F) and rotate every 3-4 minutes or until charred and corn is easily pierced with a fork, about 12 minutes total. (This also works on a grill pan!)
  • Buy pre-roasted canned corn (near regular canned corn in the grocery store) and use 2 cans of that (thoroughly drained). 
  • Buy regular canned corn and roast it for a few minutes on the stovetop.
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes or until very hot. Drain corn and place in a single layer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring once in between or until browned. Avoid stirring too often as this will keep the corn from getting a good roast.
  • Or, use frozen corn. Add it into the boiling pasta water for the last minute of cooking time.
Note 2: For a more authentic Mexican Street Corn flavor, go for Cotija cheese. It's typically near specialty cheeses in the grocery store. An easy alternative is Queso Fresco cheese which is generally near mozzarella and refrigerated tortillas in the grocery store. Depending on the cheese used, you may want to use less than the recipe indicates. (Cotija is much saltier than Queso Fresco, so you'll want a lot less; closer to 3-4 tablespoons). Add cheese slowly to desired personal preference.
Nutrition information includes the optional black beans.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 692kcal | Carbohydrates: 93g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 305mg | Potassium: 730mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 692IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 2mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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Recipe Rating




237 Comments

    1. 5 stars
      Doubled this and made it for a potluck and it was a hit! I added some sour cream to the dressing and subbed Chipotle Cholula for the Sriracha. So yummy!!

  1. Looks delish! I could be mistaken but the picture looks like it shows black beans but the recipe doesn’t call for black beans? Are there black beans in here?

    1. Thank you Kari! Nope you are right 🙂 They are listed in the recipe under optional: 1/2 cup black beans. They are an optional addition if you’d like more protein.

  2. 5 stars
    I made this today with the last of the sweet corn that I had left from a friend in Iowa. I charred the corn in an iron skillet, but after the fact. I wondered if cooking it in the bacon fat would have been awesome. The salad is fantastic and I love that it has a bit of heat. I will make this again.

    1. Ooo I bet that would have been super delicious! 🙂 Next time right? 🙂 So glad this was enjoyed, thanks for the comment Kristi!

  3. 5 stars
    Outstanding! I took this to a concert in the park and everyone asked for the recipe. Thank you! I love Mexican street corn, and I make sure get one anytime I’m up in LA and see a vendor. This is my new favorite recipe.

    1. That is so wonderful to hear! I’m thrilled it was a hit! Thanks for the comment Anne-Marie 🙂

  4. I was just about to start making this but realized it doesn’t say how much cheese to use. How much Cojita cheese should be used?

  5. I have a question, for the mayonnaise, have you tried the Mexican mayonnaise? It already has lime it, im wondering if that would cut a step out and make it easier?

  6. 5 stars
    I had some ears of corn leftover from another recipe, so I searched through my “to try” recipes, and chose this one to use up the corn. This recipe did not disappoint. It was really delicious! I loved the combination of ingredients and flavors. I know it was supposed to be more of a corn salad, but I thought it was quite heavy on the pasta, IMO. I used 2 cups uncooked pasta (right? Not 2 cups cooked pasta?), and I thought that made for a really pasta-y salad, actually. I thought the salad wasn’t “wet” enough. It could be perhaps that I misread the recipe about the black beans, and I put in a whole can, instead of half a cup? No biggie though, since I love beans! Anyway, I made a second batch of dressing and drizzled a little more over individual servings. This is definitely a keeper!

    1. So happy to hear you enjoyed this dish! Thank you so much for the comment Kristin 🙂 And yes, right about the pasta!

  7. If I am bringing this to a potluck, will it get soggy if I put the dressing on too early? Should I wait till right before to put the dressing on?

  8. I am looking to make this less carb heavy. I wonder could the pasta be replaced with Quinoa? It looks amazing.

  9. I look forward to making this at our next gathering but I wanted to mention that Trader Joe’s has nicely charred roasted corn in their freezer section.

    1. I was thinking the same thing, Carol! It is delicious. Have you tried it yet in this recipe? I’m sure it has to be defrosted and drained dry.

  10. Since I’m not a huge fan of cilantro, i was thinking of cutting the amount required in half. Is the cilantro taste very prominent? Could I even get away with eliminating it? Or would it be a huge difference?
    Thanks!

    1. Emily, you can definitely do away with the cilantro. It’d be a lot less prominent cut in half but if you don’t like it at all i’d just cut it out all together. Hope you enjoy!

    1. I wouldn’t recommend making it the day before; it is best made right before enjoying! Yes that will work fine.

  11. This looks delicious and I want to give it a try. I’m allergic to avocados so I was wondering what you would recommend…just leave them out and make the recipe as is or should I sub in something else? Thanks! 🙂

  12. 5 stars
    I made this dish this weekend and it was a big hit! I made the pasta and charred the (canned) corn the night before, stored in the same container. The rest I chopped and assembled the day of. Tasted great!

  13. I was so excited to come across this! I’m always looking for new recipes for my husband’s lunches! Now I usually make them in advance so I would love your advice- do you think I could mix up everything except cheese, pasta, avocado and dressing? And he could add those each day? Either that or possibly layering it like a mason jar salad and holding back on the avocado. Your thoughts?

    1. I think that would be perfect — add everything except cheese, avocado, and dressing — and then add those each day! I hope he loves his lunches 🙂

  14. 5 stars
    Love this recipe! I have only used canned corn but I think freshly grilled corn on the cob would make it 10x better! And she is not lying when she says to use full fat mayo. I tried it with low fat mayo once because this is all I had on hand… the sauce was clumpy even after mixing for a while. Still tasted fine but did not mix as well. Used Cholula for the hot sauce.

  15. 5 stars
    We brought this to a potluck BBQ and it was a big hit. People were asking about it. It didn’t even need the avocado.

  16. I made this last night and threw in shredded rotisserie chicken breast. It made a terrific cool, light summer dinner!

  17. 5 stars
    You show black beans in the video, but not on the ingredients list. Amount of black beans please? I plan to quadruple recipe for for 100 people! This will be epic! Thanks! !

    1. The black beans are on the ingredient list as an optional ingredient (last bullet on salad ingredients) at 1/2 cup 🙂 That does sound epic (and awesome!) Good luck 🙂

  18. 5 stars
    My fiancé and I have made this recipe 3 times this past week because it’s just.so.good. We halved the recipe since it’s just the two of us and we cannot get enough! Thanks for a winning summer recipe!

    1. Wow!! What a compliment! 🙂 I’m so thrilled this has been a hit for the two of you and thank you for taking the time to comment 🙂

  19. 5 stars
    Simply incredible! I was looking for a dish to take to a Mexican themed party when I stumbled across this recipe. I followed the recipe to the exact, then multiplied it by three for a party of 50 people. I did include the Black Beans, as the picture shows. The flavors and colors worked beautifully together. The dressing really makes this dish pop, but still very tasty without it. The recipe was very easy follow and to make. This will become a new party go-to dish. Thank you

    1. I’m thrilled to hear this was a hit for the party 🙂 Thank you so much for the comment Kelly 🙂

  20. 5 stars
    Wow, this salad was incredible! I have been craving it since I ate it the other night. I did add grilled chicken to accommodate my large family. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. It was perfect!

  21. 5 stars
    Chelsea, this is an awesome recipe! I don’t care for avocados so as per your advice to someone else I just omitted them. It was easy to BBQ the corn, and getting it together in advance was a breeze, your instructions were very clear. We are a family of serious foodies and there were fights for the leftovers ( I doubled the recipe). Thanks! If I could give you more stars I would!!!

  22. Is it just as good without the bacon? I want to make this for vegetarian friends. They do eat cheese but zero meat.

  23. How can I char corn without a grill? I’d prefer to use corn on the cob and then cut it off (a friend made this for a summer potluck, and I practically ate the whole bowl by myself ??).

    1. You can cut it off the cob and put it in a skillet (dry; don’t add anything else) and let it char in the skillet over medium-high heat. Toss the corn occasionally, but not too often so you do get a nice char 🙂 Enjoy!

  24. 5 stars
    I made this for a tailgate party at Angel Stadium and everyone totally dug it! I added tomatoes and roasted the jalapenos…YUM! Thanks!
    The Angels, sadly lost :/ I should’ve gotten some of this to the dugout

    1. Haha!! This could have definitely helped them win 😉 I’m so happy you liked it and love you additions! Thanks for the comment Kim 🙂

  25. 5 stars
    Literally the best pasta salad I’ve ever had. So fresh and flavorful. Definitely will be trying more of your recipes- you’ve gained a follower!!! Xo

  26. 5 stars
    Made this today, (first time making a salad dressing too) and it is sooo delicious. Thank you for an amazing recipe!

  27. 5 stars
    I made this just as written and I want the whole thing for myself. The guests will have plenty of other stuff, but this bowl of delicious is MINE!!!

    Seriously, this is a huge hit and going in to the regular rotation. Thank you !!

  28. 5 stars
    This is truly and amazing recipe!! I tweaked it a little, making the salad with Orzo, and adding red onion too..! Bomb. I loved the salad plain, just as much as I love it with the dressing. So when I served it I left the salad plain, placed the dressing on the side, along with some Tajin on the table. So many options, some people ate it plain with tajin, some with dressing, some with dressing and tajin. Served with chips too…! Probably my new favorite orzo salad! Thanks SO much.

    1. I’m so happy to hear this Samantha! I like it both ways too, there is just so much flavor! Glad you enjoyed:)

  29. I wonder, do you think subbing mexican crema or sour cream instead of mayo would work? Hoping to give it a more ~mexican~ flavor

    1. You can definitely give it a try 🙂 I haven’t tried it myself so I can’t say for sure how it will work.

  30. 5 stars
    This is amazing! Added three cloves of finely chopped garlic to the dressing and used about 1/4 bunch of cilantro. Omitted cumin. My husband said this is the best recipe I’ve ever made! Thank you for sharing!

  31. 5 stars
    I have a question. Would it be ok to add the avocado to the dressing recipe if the avocado is super ripe? Is th

    1. That will make a pretty different dressing and I think it will need some tweaking (or it end up a bit too thick/bland). Let me know if you give it a try!

  32. Great recipe, but the cook time was way off! Between the bacon, cooking the pasta, and roasting the corn I easily spent close to an hour prepping this dish.

    1. Thank you so much! If you scroll down to the recipe part of this post, there will be a print symbol next to it. I hope you enjoy! 🙂

  33. 5 stars
    LOVE this! I made it for a sports banquet. I added a little more jalapenos and a little more siracha. I have people texting me for the recipe months later!

    1. Ahh this makes me so happy! And I love the extra spice with it! So glad you enjoyed!

  34. I know it says no substitutes for the mayo but anyone made with vegan mayo? I made it before and it was amazing! I want to share with others but they are vegan. I usually put the bacon and cheese on the side anyways so all that would need to be change is the mayo. I don’t want to make it taste bad. Personally I like the vegan mayo but I’m not sure how it is in this

    1. I’ve made with veganaise and no one was the wiser. I obviously left out the bacon but left it on the side for the non vegan folks to add.

  35. This looks amazing! I am excited to try it. How long does it last in the fridge if I won’t eat all of it right away? Also are there things that I should leave out of the sauce and only add right before eating?

    1. I hope you love it! 🙂 If you don’t plan on eating this in one sitting and immediately after making, don’t add the bacon, cheese, or avocado. Add those in separately right before enjoying 🙂 I’d also add the dressing to just what you are eating.

  36. 5 stars
    Absolutely wonderful!!! I made this last to complement smoked chicken and there were no leftovers! Followed recipe to the letter and couldn’t be easier! Thank you Chelsea for sharing you now have one more messyapron follower. Keep the delishousness flowing!!!

  37. 5 stars
    This was DELICIOUS! Such a wonderful combination of flavors. It all balanced out very well for a wonderful dish. My husband and I loved it!! The only downside is that it took me an hour to prep everything. The whole time I was thinking this better be worth all this work. But it WAS! 🙂 So so yummy. I will definitely make it again.

    1. I’m so glad to hear it was worth it! You should be able to hopefully cut down on prep time now that you have already made it before! I hope you continue to enjoy! 🙂

  38. I know you made a point of saying no subs for the mayo but what about Mexican sour cream? I swear it is sour cream and mayo mixed together. (I also realize this post was 2 years ago so maybe you aren’t still monitoring.) Either way I am making it for a potluck on Thursday with quinoa (our boss has celiacs so I try to provide something for everyone including her and those just trying to be gluten free). It looks delicious I am very excited to try it!

    1. I usually make this with gluten free pasta, a full can of beans & no bacon to allow more people (including myself) to enjoy. It is a huge hit and often requested at family gatherings. I have also left out the pasta and used an additional can of red beans then served with gf chips.

  39. 5 stars
    I love this recipe so much Chelsea! It always gets rave reviews. Awesome for entertaining … makes a pretty presentation. It’s fresh, tangy, and has a tasty paring of flavors.

  40. I made this recipe for a church function on Sunday evening and it was a huge hit. Our Women’s ministry is going to feed each of our school campuses this year (one a month) and this is our main course. I had numerous requests for the recipe. AWESOME! Blessings!

  41. 5 stars
    This is sooooo good. I made if for a bbq about a month ago and my family just loved it. The sauce is excellent and I’ve used on breakfast burritos as well. Thanks for the recipe. I’m making it again tonight for dinner!!

  42. My family loves this recipe!! I add in grilled chicken if we want to make it the whole meal… It’s also a great carry-in dish. Thank you for this fantastic recipe!!

  43. I didn’t scroll through all the comments but wanted to let you know that I have made this using frozen avocado found in the smoothie fruit section of the freezer aisle. This means that (short cilantro and green onions) I always have the ingredients on hand (and I usually have cilantro and onions because we use them often). For anyone worried about picking ripe avocados this is awesome as all you do is let it sit at room temp for 30 minutes and then cut up to add to the salad!

  44. Such a great recipe! I’ve adapted it to fit my family’s taste but delicious as is! Thank you!

  45. I found this recipe on Pinterest about a year ago, and it is still one of my most favorite things ever. In a moment of procrastination at work, I decided to check out some of your other recipes… GIRL. You are my food soul sister. All my favorite flavors, ingredients, spices- they are all here. I finally stopped looking because I have pinned every single recipe I’ve looked at and have about a months worth of meals to try. I kind of want to ditch work for the rest of the day to go home and make Peruvian chicken. I am so glad I found this blog! My heart and tummy are happy ?

    1. You seriously made my day!! Haha I am sooo beyond happy you love my recipes!! Thanks so much for your sweet comment! 🙂

  46. I know it says no substitutes on the mayo but I am not a big may fan. What are your thoughts on replacing mayo with sour cream?

    1. I haven’t personally tried sour cream, but I do think it would change the flavor to be a lot more sour/tangy.

  47. 5 stars
    Hi. Thank you for your recipe!! Am gonna make it for the third time and I would like ur advise… I want to prepare it from the day before to save me some time… please tell me until what point I should make it.

    1. I’d prepare the salad (without the avocado) and store in an airtight container and then prepare the dressing and store in a separate airtight container. Toss and add avocado before enjoying!

  48. 5 stars
    Oh my lord this was crazy stupid amazing! I have deleted all other corn salad recipes no kidding! Fire roasted my ears of corn basted with bacon drippings added cilantro sparingly even though I have a pure hatred for the herb but lo and behold even that touch of cilantro was a bonus to the dish..
    LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS

    1. I am soooo happy to hear this!! I need to try the bacon drippings, that sounds AMAZING!! Thanks for your comment! 🙂

  49. 5 stars
    This recipe is on my “Keepers” board on Pinterest for a reason…it’s spectacular! I am making it again today, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made it, always with someone asking for the recipe. The flavours are so amazing. I actually bbq corn and freeze it so I can make it in the winter months. I’m obsessed with this salad and trust me, you bring this to a party and there won’t be another one like it! thank you.

  50. 5 stars
    This is one of the best salads ever! I used fresh, grilled corn and added marinated, grilled chicken to make it a complete meal. We all loved it and I will be making it without the chicken for an upcoming potluck. Thank you for a delicious recipe!

    1. I am soooo happy to hear how much you enjoyed this! Thanks soo much for your comment! 🙂 I’m excited for everyone to try it at your potluck!

  51. 5 stars
    I swapped red onions for the green & added roasted red pepper.
    This salad is amazing!
    Thank you so much for a delicious meal!

  52. Used chicken instead of pasta and didn’t include sriracha or jalapeños and it was delicious! Kids loved too!

    1. I’m so happy you’re enjoying this Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! Thanks so much for sharing Grace! 🙂

  53. 5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious I doubled the Mayo with the spices and it was a hit at our home. I will be making it again and again.
    Thank you so much for posting

  54. I made this salad in the morning and served it to my book club that evening. Unfortunately the pasta absorbed the dressing and the salad was dry. I recommend adding the dressing right before serving. I did not add black beans. It has a lot of delicious flavor! I would make again, but not too far ahead of serving it.

  55. This recipe looks great and would love to try. However, you indicate NO SUBSTITUTES for Mayo. But I literally cannot eat may. Since publishing do you have any recommendations? Thx!

    1. Sorry I don’t Glen! I haven’t had success with other ingredients flavor-wise. Maybe a vegan mayo if you can have that? I’m not sure what else; wish I could be of more help.

  56. In grilling the corn, after you soak it in water, do you put it on the grill with the husks back up around the corn? How hot should the grill be, medium heat? Also giving a wedding shower for 35 people and this is the main entree with shrimp. Fruit salad, green beet orange salad and rolls will also be served. How many times should I multiply the recipe?

    1. In grilling the corn, after you soak it in water, do you put it on the grill with the husks back up around the corn? How hot should the grill be, medium heat? Also giving a wedding shower for 27 people and this is the main entree with shrimp. Fruit salad, green beet orange salad and rolls will also be served. How many times should I multiply the recipe?

  57. 5 stars
    This was so good – it makes quite a bit for just the 2 of us, but have had it for lunch throughout week. Great recipe, thanks for sharing.

  58. 5 stars
    Made this yesterday for my sister’s birthday lunch. It was a hit! Everyone wanted the recipe! I added chopped tomatoes from our garden and cut down on the amount of pasta. It was tremendous!

  59. 5 stars
    This was awesome! We rated it “Maddie Approved” in honor of my 16 yo grandaughter. A family fave all around. We might try it with rice instead of pasta – just to mix it up a bit. 😉

  60. 5 stars
    O…M…G…this is the BEST thing I’ve EVER tasted. I can’t even put into words how much I LOVE it. I’m eternally grateful to you for sharing this recipe!!

  61. 5 stars
    Hello Chelsea,
    Just found this recipe and made it for a family lunch. It was delicious and demands for it to be made again this week or sooner! It’s Summer here in Australia so this is going to be my go to all Summer long. Thank you for sharing this fabulous dish!!!!

  62. If I use frozen corn and cook it in the pasta water, am I supposed to drain it and roast it in the same method that is described for using canned corn?

  63. 5 stars
    Hi, I make this salad often but wanted to add some things I do. I bbq corn on the cob(brushing oil on the husked cobs, cook until until blackened, cut the kernels off, then vacuum seal). I also make 1 1/2 times the dressing, put half when I make it, the the rest when I serve it. Leftovers are great with the extra dressing, it doesn’t dry out. Thanks again for this recipe, you make me look like rock star chef!!

  64. so terribly disappointed in this, it was flavorless no matter what I did to it. I followed the instructions to a T but did not like it at all. Best to make a small amount and try it first so you won’t be embarrassed!

    1. Are you sure you added ample salt to the pasta water and final dish? And only used 2 cups pasta not the entire container? Were your seasonings fresh?

  65. 5 stars
    I made this yesterday to take to a ladies luncheon! ABSOLUTELY DELISH! I loved the idea of adding pasta to Elote type salad. I took a chance and added both cheese and avocado before leaving home. It worked really well. I also used a combination of cojita and feta. Hey, you gotta use what you’ve got! It is a wonderful addition to my recipe box! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    1. I am SO thrilled to hear this! Thank you so much! I think that combo of cheese sounds delish!! 🙂

  66. 5 stars
    Damn! It’s looks so delicious and yummy recipe. Thanks for proving such a wonderful content.

  67. 5 stars
    Fantastic! Made this for a quick dinner and we had a lot since just two of us eating that night. Shared some the next day with our friends and they loved it too! We added yellow and red pepper along with zuchinni from our garden. Will make again!

  68. 5 stars
    Wonderful!!!! One of the BEST recipes I’ve made this summer. Purchased the wrong cojita cheese (grated, kinda dry like grated parm) so I used feta & topped the salad with the grated cojita. Excellent combo. Adding the black beans and keeping everything separate and dry until time to serve are definite musts!

  69. 5 stars
    Made the Mexican corn salad it was delicious! I didn’t add bacon but it was very tasty!! I actually used bulgar grain instead of pasta for a slightly healthier alternative.I will be making it again.

  70. 5 stars
    I finally got around to making this tonight. This was SO delicious. Used cotija. Added the black beans. Highly recommend that addition as it gives you the impression of meat. Did not have bacon. Thanks so much!

  71. 5 stars
    Have made it twice and it was a Hit. Mother-in-law Loved it AND that’s a compliment. Making again today for party tomorrow.

  72. Hoping to make this tomorrow, it looks really good! How do you think it would be served as a warm pasta dish instead of cold?

  73. 5 stars
    So I made this recipe, but instead of pasta I used yellow rice then took out the bacon and made Carne Asada. I used this dish with rice not pasta as my base for Mexican Rice bowl. I also added pickled red onions. It was SOOOOO DELICIOUS!!!!

  74. 5 stars
    This is the absolute BEST, NO FAIL
    recipe! And I was never a fan of
    pasta salad. Funny enough, bc this
    recipe, it’s my go-to for a bring-along-
    dish. Also, I actually make it at home for my own, personal meal; I just cut the
    recipe in half. AND..it tastes great the
    next day as well. A MUST TRY!!

  75. This looks so colourful and appetizing, but I’m not sure I can get the cheeses mentioned. Am I right in thinking that feta might be a good substitute to use, or would you suggest something else? Thanks for sharing the recipe, I just love corn!

  76. 5 stars
    Made this last week. It was a huge hit! My only regret is not doubling the recipe because it disappeared before I could get seconds. I’ll absolutely make it again!

  77. 5 stars
    I have never liked pasta salads but this recipe was amazing and I went back for seconds!! The dressing had me concerned because of the tartness when I tasted it before mixing it all together with the pasta and veggies. The sweetness of the corn balanced the tartness of dressing perfectly! This will be a recipe I will make many times!

  78. 5 stars
    I made this for a potluck and needed to double the recipe. I followed directions to a tee x 2. It was really good but if I was to do this again, I wouldn’t quite double the pasta (maybe 1 1/2) but still double everything else. I thought it was a tad dry and I’m blaming it on too much pasta. Also, I felt like it needed a little bit of color so I added some cut up cherry tomatoes. Enough to add a pop of red but not change the recipe up too much. I will make this again as it’s quite good and anything with charred corn is yummy to me.

    1. I am so thrilled to hear you enjoyed this! Cherry tomatoes sounds like a great addition! Thanks Angela! 🙂

  79. 5 stars
    Wow! What a tasty salad. Easy to prepare, the dressing is perfect. Not to spicy and great tips if you want it less spicy. Perfect for a potluck and it was gone first time a made it. Will be on
    Repeat at my house. Going to serve when company comes.

  80. 5 stars
    Great recipe! But I made a few changes: used pepperoni instead of bacon to pull in a salty spicy flavor, threw in some Cajun spice for the same, and used a combination of ranch and mayo for the dressing. Best of it was the spice was offset by the avocado, so even my ‘that’s too spicy!!!’ Wife liked it!

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