Corn on the Cob On the Grill

Using the grill is one of our new favorite ways to cook corn! Grilled Corn on the Cob will be your go-to side dish this summer.

Corn is the perfect side dish for every summer BBQ. There are so many ways to cook it, whether you boil it, microwave it, or grill it.

New Favorite Cooking Method

Summertime is known for being “grilling season”. We like to grill meats like steak, chicken, and burgers, but we also like to grill vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. A new one we tried recently was corn!

Have you ever made corn on the cob on the grill before?! We typically boil it or microwave it if we’re in a pinch. Both are delicious, but NOTHING beats the amazing charred smoky flavor that comes from throwing them on the grill.

This grilled corn on the cob recipe is quick, easy, and SO good!

Once you’ve grilled the corn, you can enjoy it as a side (which is what we typically do), or cut it off the cob and enjoy it in salads, tacos, or Burrito Bowls. However you decide to enjoy it, you won’t want your corn cooked any other way!

Choosing the Best Corn on the Cob

Resist the urge to peel! When trying to find the best corn cobs, try not to peel back the husk as it dries out the cob and exposes the cob to fungi. Instead:

• Look for ears that are bright green.
• The husk should be tight and the silk should be moist and soft. Use your fingers to feel for plump kernels through the silk covering.
• The weight of the ear should match the size.

They are best when fresh off the corn stalk. If you see a roadside stand or farmers market, that is the place to go to get the freshest corn. 

Buy in season. Even the corn at the grocery store is pretty fresh than at other times of the year. And it is definitely less expensive.

Freezing isn’t bad, either. Even though fresh is the best, I don’t always run to the market each time I want corn on the cob, nor is it always available. When the corn is selling at great prices, I’ll buy several ears to keep in the freezer. 

How to Grill Corn on the cob

There are a few different methods for how to cook corn on the cob on the grill, but we’ve found that the easiest way is to grill it without the husk, directly on the grill. Plus, it gives the corn a delicious charred flavor!

1. PREP. Preheat the grill to medium heat. While the grill is preheating, remove husks and silk from the ears of corn.
2. GRILL. Spray each piece with olive oil spray and place them on the grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes making sure to rotate occasionally.
3. FLAVOR. As soon as corn cobs are removed from the grill, brush them with butter, and sprinkle them with salt and black pepper. I tend to enjoy that classic seasoning combination.

However, I have tasted some delicious flavors on corn cobs such as:

• Garlic Butter
• Chili Powder, Lime, and Cotija Cheese
• Cinnamon and Sugar
• Lemon and Dill Butter
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Paprika

Brining corn on the cob

Another way to infuse flavor into the grilled corn recipe is by brining them first. This can be done no matter what method is used to grill the corn cobs.

• Fill a pot with 1 gallon of water and ¼ teaspoon salt. Place the shucked cobs into the water to soak.
• They’ll need at least 30 minutes for the brine to be effective.
• Soak them for up to an hour, but not longer. After an hour the salt water will begin to have a negative impact on the corn.

Alternate Grilling Methods

Wrapped in the husk. This method will produce a juicier ear of corn as the husk will help keep moisture in. Either remove the silk strands before grilling or after. I usually remove them prior to grilling. 

• Peel back the husks: Make sure to leave them attached to the cob. Remove the silky strands and smooth the husks back around the cob.
• Soak the cobs: The corn husks tend to be dry and you don’t want them to burn while being grilled (a little char is ok though). Presoak the cobs in a pot of water for at least 30 minutes. This will moisten the husks enough for them to withstand the heat, and add a little extra moisture to steam the corn with. 

Wrapped in aluminum foil: Instead of wrapping the cob with the husk, wrap it with foil. This method works really well for frozen corn on the cob when you no longer have the husks to use.

Add char. If you like a little bit of char on the cobs themselves, remove the husk or foil after the allotted cook time and briefly char the cobs directly on the grill. This will only take 4-5 minutes. Rotate the cob so it is evenly charred.

Storing Info

STORE. Use a knife to cut the kernels from the grilled corn cobs and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, or wrap the cobs with foil and keep them in the fridge.

To reheat the cobs: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Wrap the cobs in foil before placing them in the oven, or even place the cobs wrapped in the husks into the oven. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until warm throughout.

If you cut the kernels off of the cob, you can reheat the kernels in a bowl in the microwave.

For more of our favorite corn side dishes, try:

• Esquites
• Summer Corn Salad
• Mexican Street Corn
• Creamed Corn
• Mexican Corn On The Cob