Salmon Tacos with Elote Corn Salsa
/These Salmon Tacos with Elote Corn Salsa are fresh, creamy, a little smoky and one of those dinners that looks far more impressive than it is difficult to make.
Tender salmon is seasoned with chili powder, paprika, garlic and fresh lime, then baked until it flakes easily. Instead of piling on a traditional taco salsa, these are topped with warm elote-inspired corn made with fresh corn, jalapeño, red onion, lime, mayo and crumbled cotija.
You get buttery salmon, charred corn, creamy dressing, a little heat from the jalapeño and plenty of fresh lime in every bite.
They're perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, but they're also fun enough to make when we're having people over—especially when fresh corn is still in season.
Why You'll Love These Salmon Tacos
There are a few things that make these different from a basic fish taco.
First, we're using salmon instead of a mild white fish. It has enough richness and flavor to stand up to all of the spices and toppings without getting lost.
Then there's the corn salsa. It's inspired by Mexican street corn, with fresh corn cooked in butter until it begins to brown before being tossed with lime, mayo and cotija.
Instead of needing a separate sauce, slaw and salsa, the creamy corn mixture does most of the work.
And everything comes together while the salmon is baking, making this a surprisingly easy dinner.
Ingredients You'll Need
Salmon
I use four salmon fillets for this recipe. Salmon is rich enough to pair beautifully with the creamy corn and bold spices.
Fresh Corn
For the best texture and flavor, cut the kernels from four fresh ears of corn. Cooking them in butter lets the edges pick up some color before we turn the corn into the elote salsa.
Jalapeño
One cored and diced jalapeño gives the corn some heat without overpowering the salmon. You can remove the seeds and membrane for a milder salsa.
Red Onion
Finely diced red onion gives the corn a little bite and another layer of texture.
Cotija Cheese
I prefer cotija here for the classic salty, crumbly finish that works so well with corn and lime.
Lime
Fresh lime goes into both the salmon seasoning and corn salsa. I also always serve extra wedges alongside the tacos.
Tortillas
Use your favorite tortillas. Warming them over a gas flame gives the edges a little char, but a dry skillet works well too.
How to Make Salmon Tacos
1. Season the Salmon
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Combine olive oil, fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and paprika.
Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet and coat them evenly with the seasoning mixture.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking and flakes easily.
2. Make the Elote Corn Salsa
While the salmon is baking, make the corn.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Add the fresh corn, red onion and diced jalapeño.
Cook until the corn is tender and you start to see golden, lightly charred edges.
Transfer the warm corn mixture to a bowl.
Add the mayo, fresh lime juice, cotija and chili powder and stir until everything is evenly coated.
3. Warm the Tortillas
Warm your tortillas just before assembling the tacos.
If you have a gas stovetop, you can carefully warm them directly over a low flame until they're soft with a few lightly charred edges.
You can also warm them one at a time in a dry skillet.
4. Assemble the Salmon Tacos
Break the cooked salmon into large, tender pieces and divide it between the warm tortillas.
Spoon plenty of the elote corn salsa over each taco, then finish with additional crumbled cotija and a fresh lime wedge.
Serve immediately with extra lime.
Amanda's Tips
Use fresh corn when you can. Cutting the kernels straight from the cob gives the salsa such good texture and lets the corn brown beautifully in the skillet.
Let the corn get some color. Don't constantly stir it. Giving it a little time against the hot pan helps create those browned edges.
Don't overcook the salmon. The original recipe gives a 20–25 minute range, but salmon fillets vary quite a bit in thickness. Since you're retesting this next week, I want you to note the exact thickness/weight and actual cooking time so we can tighten this before publication.
Use cotija if you can find it. Parmesan works as an alternative, but cotija is my first choice for this version.
Char the tortillas. That little bit of color adds flavor and makes the finished tacos look so much better too.
Serve with plenty of lime. A squeeze right before eating balances the richness of both the salmon and creamy corn.
What to Serve with Salmon Tacos
Because the elote salsa already gives you corn, cheese and plenty of flavor, I don't think these tacos need a complicated list of sides.
I'd keep dinner fresh and simple with sliced avocado, a green salad, rice or even extra elote corn salsa served alongside.
For entertaining, set everything out family-style and let everyone build their own tacos.
Can I Make the Elote Corn Salsa Ahead?
You can prep several of the components ahead, but I like this salsa best when the corn has been freshly cooked.
You can cut the corn from the cobs and dice the onion and jalapeño earlier in the day. Then all that's left to do while the salmon bakes is cook the vegetables and finish the salsa.
For the best texture, assemble the tacos right before serving.
Salmon Tacos with Elote Corn Salsa
Tender baked salmon seasoned with chili, cumin, paprika and lime, served in warm tortillas and topped with creamy elote-inspired corn salsa, cotija and fresh lime.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Salmon
4 salmon fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice of ½ lime
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
For the Elote Corn Salsa
2 tablespoons butter
Kernels from 4 ears fresh corn
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup finely diced red onion
1 jalapeño, cored and diced
¼ cup mayonnaise
Juice of 1 lime
¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for serving
1 teaspoon chili powder
For Serving
Tortillas of choice
Additional cotija cheese
Fresh lime wedges
Instructions
Bake the Salmon
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, juice of ½ lime, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and paprika.
Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet and coat evenly with the seasoning mixture.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking and flakes easily.
Make the Elote Corn Salsa
While the salmon cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Add the corn, red onion and jalapeño.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is tender and beginning to brown around the edges.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
Add the mayonnaise, lime juice, cotija and chili powder. Stir until evenly combined.
Assemble the Tacos
Warm the tortillas over a low gas flame or in a dry skillet until soft and lightly charred around the edges.
Break the cooked salmon into large pieces and divide among the tortillas.
Spoon the elote corn salsa generously over the salmon.
Finish with additional cotija and fresh lime.
Serve immediately.
Amanda's Tip
Let the corn sit against the hot skillet for a little while between stirring so it develops golden, slightly charred edges. That extra caramelization makes such a difference in the finished salsa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of salmon is best for salmon tacos?
Use salmon fillets that are similar in size and thickness so they cook at approximately the same rate. Skin-on or skinless can work since you'll be breaking the cooked salmon into pieces for the tacos.
Can I use frozen corn for elote corn salsa?
Fresh corn is my first choice because of its texture and ability to brown in the skillet. Frozen corn can work when fresh isn't available; thaw it and remove excess moisture before adding it to the skillet.
Are salmon tacos spicy?
These have some warmth from chili powder and jalapeño, but you can easily make them milder by removing the seeds and membrane from the jalapeño or using less of it.
Can I make these with flour or corn tortillas?
Yes. Use whichever tortillas you prefer. Either can be warmed in a dry skillet, and corn tortillas can also be lightly charred over a gas flame.
What is elote corn salsa made of?
This elote-inspired corn salsa combines fresh corn, butter, garlic, red onion, jalapeño, mayonnaise, lime juice, cotija cheese and chili powder.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you loved these Salmon Tacos with Elote Corn Salsa, there are plenty of other fresh and flavorful recipes to bring to your table!
For another delicious dinner inspired by Mexican street corn, try my Grilled Chicken with Mexican Street Corn & Cucumber Salad. It's packed with fresh ingredients and perfect for warmer evenings.
If you're craving something a little sweet and savory, my Grilled Peach Caprese Chicken is a beautiful combination of juicy grilled chicken, seasonal peaches, and fresh summer flavors.
And for a salad that's hearty enough to steal the show, you'll love my Maple Bacon Fall Salad. It's filled with comforting seasonal flavors and makes a wonderful addition to any gathering.
Whether you're planning a family dinner or hosting friends, I hope these recipes inspire something delicious for your next meal. ♡
Shop My Kitchen Favorites
Final Thoughts
These salmon tacos are one of those recipes that has everything I want in an easy dinner: plenty of flavor, fresh ingredients and just enough going on to make an ordinary taco night feel a little more special.
The salmon is smoky and bright from the spices and lime, but I think the elote corn salsa is what really makes them. It's creamy, buttery, a little spicy and so good piled over warm salmon with extra cotija and lime.
Put everything on the table, warm a stack of tortillas and let everyone build their own.
