Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad : Your Family Will Love It!

Name: Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa; 2 cups water; 1 cup corn (fresh or canned); ½ cup cotija cheese (crumbled); ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped); 1 lime (juiced); ½ cup plain yogurt; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt and pepper to taste

Posted on December 29, 2025

Protein

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Hey there, friends! I’m so excited to share with you my go-to recipe for Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad that comes together in about 30 minutes. This meal is made in one large bowl, making it quick and easy for a weeknight dinner that your family will absolutely love! The best part? You can easily switch up the ingredients based on what you have in your pantry or fridge. It’s the kind of dish you can make to use up those odds and ends lurking in your refrigerator. Let’s dive in!

Ingredient Breakdown

To whip up this Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad, you’ll need:

1 cup quinoa: I usually grab a bag at the store, and guess what? You can use any color you like, whether it’s white, red, or even tri-color for a fun twist!
2 cups water: For cooking the quinoa. Simple, right?
1 cup corn: Fresh from the cob is fabulous, but canned corn works too, totally up to you!
½ cup cotija cheese: This crumbly cheese gives it that authentic street corn flavor. Can’t find cotija? Feta cheese will work just fine!
¼ cup fresh cilantro: Chopped. Fresh herbs make a huge difference in flavor!
1 lime: Juiced. It adds a zesty freshness that makes this salad sing!
½ cup plain yogurt: This is what keeps things creamy without being too heavy. You can also use sour cream if you prefer.
1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a little smokiness that’s just delightful.
Salt and pepper to taste: A couple pinches go a long way!

How to Make This Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad

Cook the Quinoa: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat (you’ll see those bubbles!). Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. At this point, your kitchen will start to smell amazing! Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. Finally, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside.
Mix the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, 1 cup of corn, ½ cup of crumbled cotija cheese, and ¼ cup of chopped cilantro. Just look at those colors!
Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the juice of 1 lime, ½ cup of plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and a couple of pinches of salt and pepper until it’s all well combined. The aroma is going to be incredible. I’m telling you!
Combine: Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Make sure to get all those yummy bits from the bottom of the bowl, so good!
Serve: You can serve this immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes if you’re looking for something cold and refreshing. Either way, it’s a win!

My Connection to This Recipe

Oh man, where do I even start with this Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad? It’s totally my go-to recipe for those busy evenings when I want comfort food that’s also wholesome. I love how it feels indulgent yet nourishing at the same time. And let me tell you, I’m a real sucker for a dish that can clean out the fridge! You can toss in whatever veggies you have lying around bell peppers, broccoli, you name it. Last time I made it, my neighbor popped by just as I was about to dig in, and guess what? She asked for the recipe right away because it was so delish! That’s how I know it’s a true crowd-pleaser.

If you loved this Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad, be sure to check out my Panera Chicken Salad, my Ground Chicken with Pasta, or my Slow Cooker Louisiana Style Potato Soup. There are so many great options on my blog for you to explore!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

Comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can whip it up after a long day without feeling overwhelmed. Seriously, who has the time for complicated recipes when you’re juggling work, kids, and life?

One Bowl Wonder

Minimal cleanup is required! This is like a blessing for busy weeks because no one wants to spend hours doing dishes. Just one bowl for salad and one saucepan for the quinoa, we’ll take that!

Customizable

This recipe is a canvas, really! Use whatever ingredients you have on hand. If you don’t have corn, feel free to swap it out for black beans or even diced tomatoes. Get creative!

Fresh & Flavorful

Each bite is loaded with fresh ingredients and tons of flavor that just pop in your mouth! Fresh cilantro and lime juice make this dish taste so vibrant and alive, perfect for any occasion!

Meal Prep Friendly

It’s perfect for meal prep! You can make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days, so lunch is covered!

Serving & Storage

How to Serve This Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad

This salad is best enjoyed as a side dish for grilled chicken or steak, or even as a filling lunch on its own. Add some tortilla chips for a crunchy texture if you want! You can jazz it up with avocado slices or sprinkle some chopped green onions, there’s just so much potential!

Storage

This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days. Just keep it in an airtight container, and you’re golden!

Reheating Instructions

No need to reheat! This salad is delish served cold. If you prefer it warm, you can microwave it for a minute or two until it’s heated through, just remember to add a splash of lime juice to brighten it back up!

Freezer Friendly

I wouldn’t recommend freezing this salad as the texture of the quinoa and fresh ingredients might change when thawed. Best enjoyed fresh!

Final Thoughts

Food is really about bringing people together, you know? This Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad does just that it’s colorful, flavorful, and downright comforting. Plus, it’s so simple to prepare, making it one of my absolute favorite recipes to share with friends and family. Try it out, and I bet it’ll become your go-to recipe as well! You might even find your family asking for it on repeat.

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy cooking, and I hope this recipe brings you just as much joy as it does for me. For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.