Quick & Tangy Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw Recipe to Wow Guests

Summers buzz with the vibrant flavors of mexican street corn coleslaw that dance across taste buds like a festive celebration.

Crisp cabbage mingles with sweet corn kernels in a zesty symphony of textures.

Jalapeños add a playful kick that sparks excitement in every bite.

Creamy lime-infused dressing wraps each ingredient with tangy warmth and southern charm.

Bold spices whisper stories of street-side culinary magic from mexican markets.

Crumbled cotija cheese sprinkles salty sophistication into this colorful side dish.

Savor each refreshing spoonful and let your palate explore a world of delicious possibilities.

Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw With Every Crunch Packed With Flavor

• Quick Flavor Explosion: Bursting with vibrant Mexican street corn flavors, this coleslaw transforms a classic side dish into an exciting, zesty experience.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Taste: Whips up in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Summer Cookout Champion: Incredibly versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, tacos, and barbecue favorites, ensuring it becomes your go-to potluck and picnic recipe.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Can be prepared hours or a day in advance, allowing flavors to develop and giving you stress-free meal preparation for gatherings and weeknight dinners.

Ingredients in Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw

• Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage: Crunchy, fresh base for the coleslaw, providing texture and a light, crisp foundation.
• Corn: Sweet, grilled corn kernels that give a classic Mexican street corn flavor.

• Cilantro, Green Onions: Bright, fresh herbs that add zingy, aromatic notes to the dish.
• Jalapeños: Spicy peppers that bring heat and traditional Mexican street food character.
• Cotija Cheese: Salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that adds rich, tangy finish.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream: Creamy base that creates smooth, rich dressing.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrusy acidity to balance the richness.
• Honey: Provides subtle sweetness to round out flavors.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder: Warm, complex spice blend that gives authentic Mexican street corn profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance overall taste.

Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw Instructions

Step 1: Whip Up The Creamy Flavor Blast

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Fresh lime juice
• Honey
• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend all ingredients until smooth and well-combined.

Step 2: Chop And Mix The Veggie Party

• Shredded green cabbage
• Shredded red cabbage
• Sweet corn kernels
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Diced jalapeños

Mix these colorful ingredients until they’re dancing together.

Step 3: Dress And Coat The Salad

Pour your zesty dressing over the veggie blend and gently toss until every piece is luxuriously coated with flavor.

Step 4: Chill And Let Flavors Mingle

Cover the bowl and let your coleslaw rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing all the tasty elements to get acquainted.

Step 5: Finish With Festive Toppings

Before serving, sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese, extra cilantro, and additional jalapeños if you’re feeling adventurous.

Serve with fresh lime wedges for an extra punch of brightness.

Coleslaw Tips For Street Corn Flavor

• Adjust jalapeño quantity to match your spice tolerance, removing seeds for milder flavor or adding more for extra kick.
• Slice cabbage thinly and evenly to ensure consistent texture and better dressing absorption throughout the coleslaw.
• Prepare the coleslaw up to 24 hours in advance, letting flavors develop and intensify in the refrigerator for deeper taste.
• Enhance the dish by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans for a more substantial and filling side or main course.
• Replace cotija cheese with nutritional yeast or toasted pumpkin seeds to maintain the recipe's rich, savory profile while accommodating dietary restrictions.

Store Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw Without Losing Crunch

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the coleslaw crisp and fresh.
• Before storing, gently drain any accumulated liquid to prevent soggy cabbage.
• Stir the coleslaw gently before serving to redistribute the dressing and restore its vibrant crunch.
• Skip freezing this dish, as the cabbage and dressing will lose their texture and become watery when thawed.

Cool Combos With Corn Coleslaw

• Pair with Grilled Protein Powerhouse: Serve alongside sizzling barbecue chicken, spicy grilled steak, or juicy pork carnitas to complement the coleslaw's zesty Mexican-inspired flavors and add a protein punch.
• Beverage Blast: Crack open a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona, or mix a refreshing margarita with fresh lime juice to perfectly match the tangy, spicy notes of the coleslaw.
• Southwestern Side Kick: Combine with smoky black beans, warm corn tortillas, or Mexican rice to create a complete meal that highlights the vibrant, fresh components of the street corn coleslaw.
• Picnic Perfect Combo: Pack this coleslaw with pulled pork sandwiches or as a topping for fish tacos during outdoor gatherings, delivering a burst of flavor that screams summer fun.

Tangy Crunch in Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw

• Vegan Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw: Replace mayonnaise and sour cream with cashew cream, use dairy-free cotija or nutritional yeast for cheese flavor, and ensure all ingredients are plant-based.
• Keto-Friendly Mexican Corn Coleslaw: Substitute honey with a low-carb sweetener like stevia, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and reduce corn quantity or replace with low-carb jicama for crunch.
• Gluten-Free Spicy Mexican Coleslaw: Verify all spices and ingredients are certified gluten-free, use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce if needed, and ensure no cross-contamination during preparation.
• Light Mexican Street Corn Slaw: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, reduce cheese quantity, increase fresh herbs, and add more lime juice for a zesty, lower-calorie version of the original recipe.

FAQs

• Is this coleslaw spicy?

The spice level depends on jalapeños. Remove seeds for milder heat or skip them entirely if you prefer no spice.

• Can I use different cheese instead of cotija?

Yes, you can substitute with feta or queso fresco for similar tangy flavor and crumbly texture.

• How long can this coleslaw stay fresh?

The coleslaw stays fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. After that, cabbage might become slightly soggy.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your specific spice blend and mayonnaise to confirm.

Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican street corn coleslaw brings zesty summer flavors to your picnic table. Creamy, tangy, and packed with grilled corn’s smoky essence, you’ll savor each refreshing bite of this crowd-pleasing side dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 4 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups corn, canned and drained

Herbs and Additional Vegetables:

• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup jalapenos, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, for garnish

Cheese and Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese, for garnish
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lime juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Additional Serving Ingredient:

• Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant, zesty dressing by whisking together creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, bright lime juice, sweet honey, warming chili powder, earthy cumin, aromatic garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Create a colorful base by combining crisp green and red cabbage, sweet corn kernels, fresh cilantro, sharp green onions, and spicy jalapeños in a spacious mixing bowl.
3. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated and infused with the bold, creamy flavor profile.
4. Seal the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and allow the coleslaw to chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling the flavors to harmonize and develop depth.
5. Just before serving, elevate the dish by generously sprinkling crumbled cotija cheese across the top, garnishing with additional fresh cilantro and optional jalapeño slices for extra heat.
6. Present the coleslaw with zesty lime wedges on the side, inviting guests to squeeze fresh citrus over the dish for a final burst of brightness.

Notes

• Use fresh corn for the best flavor and crunch, cutting kernels directly off the cob adds authentic street corn texture.
• Balance spice levels by removing jalapeño seeds for milder heat or adding extra chili powder for more kick.
• Create a lighter version by substituting Greek yogurt for mayonnaise, which reduces calories while maintaining creamy consistency.
• Make ahead and store in refrigerator for up to 2 days, letting flavors develop and intensify for even more delicious results.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg