Elote quinoa salad is made with velvety bell peppers, juicy sweet corn, homemade dressing, cotija cheese, limes, and spices. It’s perfect for the summer! Great!

That’s it! Summer is here! Just in time for this bright, nutty, satisfying, creamy dream salad.

It’s got natural nutrition thanks to quinoa and black beans, but, oh, will it get very vibrant? Soft, crisp chilies, heaps of fresh, juicy sweet corn, and homemade sauces combine the best elite (Mexican street corn) flavors, like lively limes, salty cotija cheese, and paprika. As always, we love ALDI because it gives us everything we need to make this dream a reality, including all that is fresh (i.e., “fresh every day!”). Summer produce is packaged in this salad.

Mexican street corn, which comes in the form of elote(corn on the cob) and esquites(corn kernels in a cup), is a staple snack in Mexico, and rightly so. This delicious roasted corn is either stuck to a stick or scraped off the cob, served in small cups, and slathered in mayonnaise, lime juice, cotija, and paprika, and many happily carry it around and munch on it. The best catch and go!

We take inspiration from these delicious flavors, scraping fresh, raw, sweet corn off the cob, piling it together, stirring it, and mixing it with other chewable delicacies. Warning: The front salad is highly addictive.

Ingredients for Elote’s quinoa salad

The ingredients list here is simple and doesn’t require much to bring out the rich flavor. So we’re going to ALDI to buy our favorite products at great prices.

They have a great variety of delicious fresh produce and lots of organic options, and you know we love the ALDI cheese section (seriously, it’s fantastic), so of course, we’re going to fight here! Here’s what you’ll need:

Salad:

• All-natural and organic quinoa
• Fresh sweet corn
• Simple, natural, organic black beans
• Mini bell peppers (cooked into pepper sauce)
• coriander

Dressing:

• Mayo of Berman
• Pueblo Lindo grated Cotia cheese
• Stone ground paprika
• buttermilk
• garlic
• lime

Let’s make this fresh summer salad

All right, let’s get ready for the stars this summer.

• Quinoa and preparation. Cook the quinoa in your favorite way, scraping the sweet corn off the cob.
• Pepper ingredients. Drizzle a skillet with generous olive oil and add pepper rings. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and looks like roast meat. For added flavor, you can squeeze a little lime juice into the pan and lift all the brown parts out of the bottom when you’re done!
• Homemade sauce! You’ll stir all the ingredients together, then taste and adjust as needed. It may taste extra salty, and that’s okay! It’s a bunch of unseasoned ingredients, so you want it to have a lot of flavor.
• Could you stir it and serve it? Throw everything into a bowl before serving (well, if you’re a star, arrange it properly). Drizzle with a beautiful cream sauce. Yum!

That’s it! It’s straightforward. Then you can dress it up any way you like.

But what about raw corn? In a salad?

Yes, we do! Raw sweet corn is delicious! It was crisp, crisp and had an almost creamy sweetness. What a dream!

All you have to do is take a sharp knife, cut down the stick, cut off those delicious pale gold gems, and put them in a salad bowl. Yes, yes.

Suppose you don’t want to risk eating raw corn (be brave! You can do it! Of course, you can boil the corn first. Charred a little on the grill, which adds flavor to the eggplant, or you can fry it in a hot pan for a similar effect.

If you’re in a hurry, you can roast some frozen corn, but it won’t have the same crunch or sweet popping sound.

The best way to make quinoa salad

The stove method is suitable:

1. Rinse under water for at least 30 seconds, or for a unique twist, try grilling the quinoa first! Grilling the quinoa helps remove the natural bitterness on the outside, thanks to a naturally occurring saponin coating. Use a ratio of 2 parts liquid to 1 part quinoa (broth instead of water adds even more flavor!).
2. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, cover, and steam for a few minutes until the quinoa grains have ‘popped’ and the little curly coils are visible. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. It should smell nutty and fuzz easily and not leave any liquid behind!

If you have to cook a large number of meals, you can also use a rice cooker or instant pot! However, make sure you still rinse or grill your quinoa first!

• Rice cooker: It’s still a ratio of 2 parts liquid to 1 part quinoa, and it’s usually done in 30 minutes.
• Pressure cooker:1.5 parts liquid and 1 part quinoa. Cook over high heat for 3 minutes, and release naturally for 10 minutes.

An alternative to Mayo

If you want to avoid the mayonnaise route, even though its salty creaminess is unbeatable, you certainly have other options. You can try:

• Greek yogurt
• Sour cream
• Mexican crema
• An avocado?

Feel free to experiment with the buttermilk-to-cheese ratio to achieve your desired consistency. Depending on your preference, you can make it thicker or lighter. The power is in your hands, so play with it and enjoy the process!

What does Elote salad come with

With the delightful combination of quinoa and black beans, this salad is a satisfying meal on its own. However, if you’re planning a dinner party, consider adding some grilled chicken or fish for a delicious twist. And why stop there? Serve it with a side of chips, salsa, and guacamole for a complete feast.

Do you want to serve this salad with a burrito party? I appreciate your concern. Maybe some of them will be good:

• Spicy shrimp tacos with garlic, cilantro, and lime salad
• Smoked beans and green tacos with Aggie Vader
• Caramelized pork tacos with pineapple sauce

What we’re saying is that summer is here, and this salad is so good that you’ll never want to stop eating it.

Elote Style Quinoa Salad: Frequently Asked Questions

What should I serve with it?

This salad is very filling and works well on its own, but if you want it, some grilled chicken will also be delicious.

I’m out of buttermilk. Any alternative ideas?

Buttermilk is very easy to make at home! Read here how to make your own.

Is there any other cheese I can sprinkle on it?

While Cotija cheese is our top choice for this salad, don’t worry if you can’t find it. Queso fresco is a great alternative, and it’s readily available in most grocery stores. It may crumble a bit differently, but it’s just as delicious and adds a salty kick to your salad.

Can this salad be prepared in advance?

Of course, you can! Just before serving, save your dressing and cheese crumbs for last.