How to Grill Corn

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Are you going to be grilling some chicken or burgers this summer? Well look no further for your new favorite summer side dish. Learn how to grill corn two ways with this simple tutorial!

Why You Should Learn How To Grill Corn This Summer

If you are going to be firing up that grill this summer for some tasty ribs or burgers, throwing a few ears of corn on the grill is so convenient and makes a fantastic side for any summer meal! Not only is it convenient to cook a tasty sweet and savory side onto the grill along with your main course, but it adds amazing flavor to an otherwise boring ear of corn. Read on, friends…this is a great way to cook your corn!

Grilling Corn in the Husk vs Directly on the Grill

This blog post will give directions on how to cook your corn on the cob still in the husks and how to grill it with the husks removed. Why keep the corn in their husks to grill? If you soak the ears of corn in water first, the corn will first steam until its completely cooked while staying protected in the husks, avoiding char. Of course you can pull the husks away after you finish cooking them to char up the kernels, but this is a great method to keep moisture in the corn and keep it that bright and beautiful yellow color.

Grilling corn in foil or directly on the grill are other options as well if you’d prefer to shuck the corn before grilling. Either wrap in foil or keep it bare and throw it on a cooler spot on the grill to slowly cook. As the hot air cooks the corn, it will turn that bright yellow color while also getting slightly charred, adding amazing flavor. Yum!

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How To Grill Corn In the Husk

I really do prefer this method to any other when it comes to grilling corn on the cob. The husks protect the corn, you can keep it on the grill longer without any repercussions, and it tastes amazing!

Remove the Corn Silk

Carefully open up the corn by pulling the husks down while still leaving them attached at the base of the ear. Remove the silk from the husks and the corn. Pull the husks back up around the corn cob.

Soak Corn in Water

For 20-30 minutes before grilling, soak your ears of corn in a large bowl or bucket of cold water with a big pinch of salt.

Can I Skip Soaking the Corn in Water?

No! The water helps the husks from burning on the grill while also adding moisture to the ear to help it steam and cook all the way through.

Grill the Corn

After the corn has soaked, add it to the hot grill and let it cook about 20 minutes at a medium to high temperature, turning every few minutes. I cooked mine at 550° F. It is done when the kernels are bright yellow over the whole ear of corn. You can remove the husks and char the edges, if desired…but it’s totally optional. Serve hot.

How to Grill Corn Without the Husk

If you love roasty, toasty corn on the cob, this is the way to grill your corn! Whether you’re using foil or grilling the corn directly on the BBQ, this is another way you can do it.

Shuck Corn

Remove the husks and silk from all ears of corn. Rinse to remove any last silk hairs.

Wrap Corn in Foil (optional)

If desired, wrap corn cobs individually in aluminum foil.

Why Would I Wrap My Corn in Foil?

Adding a layer of foil onto your corn can help prevent charring. While you may have hot spots on the grill and those can still char the kernels, it’s one layer of protection. If you are grilling over an open flame (like when camping), I would suggest wrapping corn in foil.

Grill Corn

It is best to grill corn that is going directly onto the grill at a lower temperature to ensure it cooks before it gets charred all the way through. Find those cooler spots on the grill for best corn placement. Around the edges or on a higher rack on the grill is great at first, just to ensure its cooked. Then for extra char, add it to a hotter part of the grill for that finishing touch.

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How Long to Grill Corn

Grilling Time for Corn in the Husk

Cooking corn on the cob for 20-30 minutes in the husk is perfect on a medium to high grill temperature. Because the ear is protected by the husks, you can easily keep these on the grill longer without having to worry about too much charring or burning.

Grilling Time for Corn in Foil or Directly on the Grill

Grilling corn directly on the grill will take less time, 10-15 minutes depending how hot your grill is and how frequently you are flipping your corn. You don’t want the grill to be too hot because it will burn before it ever gets a chance to cook, so find those cooler parts of the grill to start them off and then go from there.

When in Doubt, Your Corn is Done When….

It is that bright golden yellow color. You can see the difference from the raw corn on the cob versus the ones I pulled from the grill after cooking them. All grills are all a little different, so while my cook times are relatively accurate, I want you to use those as a guideline and not the hard and fast rule. Look for the bright yellow color. With that being said, corn is completely edible and delicious in its raw form, so nobody is going to be hurt if it’s not fully cooked.

Delicious Flavored Butters for Grilled Corn

Oh man, you can’t have corn on the cob without butter! While I love a sweet and crunchy corn on the cob in late summer, it gets even better with butter! Here are a few tasty options:

• Honey Butter – I know that seems bizarre, but don’t knock it ’til you try it. So good!
• Green Chile Cilantro Butter – try blending salted butter with some diced green chiles and cilantro. A yummy and spicy butter to slather onto your grilled corn
• Bleu Cheese Butter – butter and bleu cheese mixed together and added onto some grilled corn? Sign me up.
• Basil Butter – add some fresh basil, garlic and parmesan cheese to some salted butter and slather that onto your corn. See how delicious that is!

Other Recipes Using Fresh Corn on the Cob

• Mexican Street Corn (a delicious, classic recipe that is so so addicting!)
• Grilled Corn Salsa
• Corn and Avocado Salsa
• Corn, Basil, Avocado & Tomato Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Guacamole
• Mexican Corn Salad Hot Dogs

Delicious Grilled Main Courses to Enjoy with Corn

• Grilled Garlic Flank Steak and Strawberry Salad
• Ribs and Baked Potatoes
• Favorite Turkey Burgers and Kettle Chips
• Honey Garlic Grilled Shrimp and Butter Rice
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Skewers
• Spatchcock Chicken and Broccoli Salad
• Smoked Chicken Wings

So there you have it! A super simple and delicious way to make your corn all summer long! I hope you will give it a try because it truly is a treat, especially if you get some super sweet ears of corn.