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Fresh Elote Street Corn Broccoli Salad Recipe Easy Creamy Lime Dressing

fresh elote street corn broccoli salad - featured image
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A vibrant and refreshing salad featuring smoky charred corn, crisp broccoli, and a creamy lime dressing that combines tangy and zesty flavors for a perfect summer dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husked (or 3 cups of frozen corn, thawed)
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the corn lightly with olive oil. Place the ears directly on the grill, turning every 2-3 minutes until the kernels have a nice char and start to caramelize, about 10-12 minutes total. If using frozen corn, sauté it in a hot skillet with a little oil until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Let the grilled corn cool for a few minutes. Then, stand each ear upright on a cutting board and carefully slice the kernels off with a sharp knife. Set aside.
  3. While the corn cools, chop the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces, dice the red bell pepper and red onion finely, and chop the cilantro if using.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine sour cream, Greek yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the grilled corn kernels, chopped broccoli, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the creamy lime dressing over the veggies and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese over the salad and give it one last gentle toss.
  7. Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes before serving to let the dressing soak in and the flavors meld. Give it a quick toss before plating.

Notes

For best flavor, use fresh corn and firm bright green broccoli florets. If using frozen corn, sauté to add color and sweetness. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to avoid soggy broccoli. Add a splash of lime juice or olive oil if salad feels dry after chilling. For dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and Greek yogurt with coconut or cashew-based alternatives and omit or replace cheese with vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: elote, street corn, broccoli salad, creamy lime dressing, summer salad, easy salad, healthy salad, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/fresh-elote-street-corn-broccoli-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-lime-dressing/