Reaper Esquites Street Corn Pasta Salad
This Reaper Esquites Street Corn Pasta Salad combines grilled corn, tender pasta, crispy bacon and cotija cheese with a creamy lime dressing. Blazing Star BBQ Reaper Rub adds a flavorful kick that turns classic Mexican street corn into an unforgettable barbecue side dish.
Reaper Esquites Street Corn Pasta Salad
|
Prep Time 15 minutes |
Cook Time 20 minutes |
|
Servings 8 to 10 |
Difficulty Easy |
Ingredients
- 6 ears of corn
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- Chopped fresh cilantro, to taste
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup Mexican crema
- 2 tablespoons Melinda’s Mexicana Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Blazing Star BBQ Reaper Rub
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco
- 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped, optional
Instructions
- Grill the corn. Grill the ears of corn over indirect heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Move them over direct heat near the end of cooking to develop char marks.
- Remove the kernels. Allow the corn to cool slightly, then carefully slice the kernels from the cobs into a bowl.
- Cook the pasta. Boil the rotini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and allow it to cool.
- Prepare the dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, Mexican crema, Melinda’s Mexicana Sauce, Blazing Star BBQ Reaper Rub and lime juice. Whisk until smooth and evenly blended.
- Prepare the bacon. If using bacon, cook it until crispy and chop it into small pieces.
- Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, grilled corn, red onion, cilantro, cotija cheese and bacon.
- Add the dressing. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and serve. Refrigerate the pasta salad for a couple of hours before serving so the flavors can develop.
Tips for the Best Esquites Pasta Salad
- Char the corn well because the smoky pieces add considerable flavor.
- Allow the pasta and corn to cool before adding the creamy dressing.
- Start with one tablespoon of Reaper Rub and add more if you want additional heat.
- Fresh cotija cheese provides the signature salty and tangy street-corn flavor.
- Prepare the corn, pasta and dressing ahead of time, then combine everything before chilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is esquites?
Esquites is a Mexican street-corn dish traditionally made with cooked corn, crema or mayonnaise, lime, cheese and seasonings. This recipe turns those flavors into a creamy pasta salad.
Is Reaper Esquites Pasta Salad extremely spicy?
The Reaper Rub gives the dressing noticeable heat, but the mayonnaise, Mexican crema, lime and cheese help balance it. You can adjust the amount of seasoning to match your preferred heat level.
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes. The salad benefits from chilling for a couple of hours before serving. Keep it covered and refrigerated until you are ready to eat.
Can I use frozen or canned corn?
Fresh grilled corn provides the best smoky flavor and texture, but thawed frozen corn can work when fresh corn is unavailable. Sauté or grill it until lightly charred before adding it to the salad.
Is the bacon required?
No. The bacon adds smoky flavor and crunch, but it can be omitted without changing the rest of the recipe.
Shop the Flavor
More Blazing Star BBQ Recipes
