Corn Mexicola
A flavorful Mexican-inspired corn dish featuring crispy bacon, sautéed onions and green peppers, and briny green olives, perfect as a savory side or snack.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet.
- Crumble bacon and set aside.
- In the same skillet with drippings, sauté chopped onion and chopped green pepper until tender.
- Add drained whole kernel corn and sliced green olives to the skillet.
- Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in crumbled bacon and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoky flavor, try using smoked bacon instead of regular. You can substitute green olives with black olives for a different taste. If you don't have fresh vegetables, frozen onion and green pepper work well. To make it heartier, add some cooked shredded chicken or beans. This dish also complements well with other Mexican recipes, like Cheesy Sausage Nachos.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish warm as a side or main dish, garnished with fresh cilantro or jalapeños for added flavor. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or can be served alongside Mexican-Topped Potatoes for a complete meal. A simple green salad can help balance the richness of the dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water to keep it moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Corn Mexicola contains roughly 298 calories, with 10g protein, 44g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (28% of the Daily Value) and protein (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1016mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen corn instead of canned?
Yes, you can use frozen corn instead of canned. Just cook it until tender before adding it to the skillet with the other ingredients. This will give a fresh taste while maintaining the texture.
What can I substitute for bacon to make it vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, you can substitute the bacon with smoked tempeh or use a plant-based bacon alternative. Adding a bit of liquid smoke can help replicate the bacon flavor.
How spicy is this dish?
This recipe is not inherently spicy. However, you can add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper during cooking if you prefer heat. Adjust the spice level to your liking by incorporating these ingredients gradually.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).