Elote Potato Salad Flavorful (Printable)

Creamy potato and roasted corn blend with lime and chili for a flavorful side dish.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 lbs small Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 cups corn kernels, roasted or grilled (approximately 3 ears)
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
04 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

→ Dressing

06 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
09 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 1/2 cup cotija cheese or feta, crumbled
15 - Extra fresh cilantro and chili powder for sprinkling

# Method:

01 - Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain and let cool slightly.
02 - Grill or roast corn until lightly charred. Remove kernels from the cob and set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Add warm potatoes, roasted corn, red onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño if using into the dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Fold in half of the crumbled cotija cheese gently to combine.
06 - Transfer mixture to a serving dish. Top with remaining cotija cheese, additional cilantro, and a light sprinkle of chili powder. Serve warm or chilled as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can keep it mellow or take it up a notch with extra jalapeño—it's all about what you like.
  • It's a dish that's equally at home at a backyard BBQ or scooped onto a plate of leftover tacos, which is how it stole my heart.
02 -
  • Dressing the potatoes while still warm makes a world of difference—they soak up every bit of flavor instead of sliding around in the sauce.
  • Never skip tasting and adjusting for lime and salt at the end; the balance can shift as everything chills.
03 -
  • Add the jalapeño last so heat-lovers can scoop from the spicy end.
  • Let the salad sit for just 15 minutes—the flavors will meld and deepen like magic.
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