Grilled corn on the cob gains incredibly rich flavor and smoky sweetness! Grab some fresh corn at the Farmer's market or store. It cooks in just 10 minutes and can be put together ahead of dinner or a cookout party.
There are 14 creative flavor ideas to try, use seasoning blends or homemade compound butter. And you can grill with or without the corn husks.
An easy summer side to have ready to toss on the grill. Everyone loves hot buttered corn...
How To Make Grilled Corn
Serve it with steaks, burgers, or hot dogs. With endless flavor options, this is great BBQ cookout party food.
Summertime is fun and always very busy. With so many different ways to cook sweet corn, the choices are to boil, steam, bake, or grill it. In my opinion, grilling is the best. It is a fast side with delicious flavor.
This is one of my go-to sides for an outdoor grill party out by the pool, with very little prep and one of my favorite summer recipes...
And receive a free Cookout Planner as our thank you!
Grilled Corn Ingredients
- fresh corn (white sweet corn is the best!)
- butter
- sea salt
- black pepper
- various seasoning blends, BBQ rub, or compound butters
How To Clean Corn & Remove Corn Husks
Keep the corn chilled in the fridge. Pull the corn husks back, peel the silks off, and discard them. Rinse with clear running water, and remove all the silk strands.
If you prefer cooking corn with the husks on, carefully pull the husks back, and remove all the silks. Soaking the corn with husks on in cool water prevents them from burning on the grill. Tie them back with soaked kitchen string or a piece of husk and skip wrapping them in foil.
Next, rub a stick of butter over the corn kernels, and hold it by the paper wrapper around the butter. Sprinkle with seasoning like lemon pepper, BBQ Rub, and salt and pepper on each corn ear. Check out the notes section for lots of other flavor ideas!
Place each corn cob on a piece of foil and wrap it around.
Corn Husks On
Tie husks back, and grill.
Husks Off Foil Wrap
Remove husks, silks, and foil wrap.
Grilling The Corn!
PRO TIP: Grilling corn in foil has two major advantages. It adds flavor and seasoning like butter, without it burning. And second, no husks to tie back and watch on the grill, they do tend to singe on a grill!
First, heat the grill to medium-high.
Next, place ears of corn wrapped in foil on the hot grill grates, and turn every 3-4 minutes on all sides for 10 minutes. Keep the grill lid closed in between turnings. For a smoky flavor, pull the foil off using tongs. Grill it slightly on the grill grates for a couple of minutes!
Serve hot with more butter if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Or cut off the corn kernels and make a corn salad the next day!
14+ Ways To Flavor Corn On The Cob
These are some of the top ways to season your corn, try them and come up with your own amazing flavor additions...
- Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper
- Lemon Pepper
- BBQ Rub
- Lawry's Seasoning Salt (an original Southern California seasoning!)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Smoked Sea Salt
- Herbs de Provence
- House Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Herb Butter
- Lemon Dill Butter
- Garlic Powder or Chili Powder
- Paprika
- Sun Dried Tomato Butter
What goes with grilled corn?
Serve with some tri-tip steaks and a salad with Green Goddess Dressing, and dinner is done. More classic ideas for hot grilled corn are Fried Chicken, Hot Dogs, or Hamburgers. Take a look at my 42 Amazing Burger Sides!
Top Grilled Corn Tips:
- You can make these a day ahead for BBQ parties and cookouts, then just toss them on the grill!
- Eat right off the grill with no husks.
- The aluminum foil keeps the corn warm! And you can keep it wrapped and warm in the oven or in an insulated cooler!
- Endless options to season the corn the way you love it.
- Quick easy prep. Easier clean up, just toss the foil.
- No boiling pots of water, or any other work to do. And it keeps your kitchen cool.
- The melted butter and seasoning are all right in the packet, great for parties.
Grilled Corn FAQs
Any sweet corn will work, try for a tender white sweet corn sold in local grocery stores. Look for green husks and fresh silks and open them up a bit and be sure they are nice ears.
Look for bright green ears of corn with fresh husks and silks. Pull back the husks and silks a bit to check that it is fresh and well-grown. Pass on corn with dry husks or ones with yellow-brown color.
More Vegetable Sides
These are the best Fried Green Tomatoes, and one of the most famous Southern recipes of all time. Each slice has a crunchy crust to dip into a creamy Remoulade, buttermilk Ranch Dressing, or comeback sauce.
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are creamy smooth, buttery, fluffy, and melt in your mouth. There are five reheating methods here plus tips on how to keep them warm for dinner.
Fresh Cole Slaw with no mayo comes together in minutes Vegetable Roasting is easy to get on the dinner table. with this mix of veggies all on one sheet pan.
Mexican Street Corn will delight people at your next cookout or BBQ party. Crispy Smashed Potatoes served with melted Herb Butter (made from garden fresh herbs), are one of the most heavenly potato recipes with golden edges. These are pure comfort food joy and a beautiful side dish.
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Grilled Corn On The Cob Recipe + 14 Flavors!
Ingredients
- 6 ears fresh corn white sweet corn
- 1 /4 stick salted butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon various seasonings, spices ,BBQ rub, or compound butters
Instructions
Clean The Corn
- Keep the corn chilled in the fridge until ready to cook. Pull the corn husks back, peel the silks off, and discard them. Wash under clear running water and keep removing all the remaining silks until you are left with clean ears.
- If you prefer cooking corn with the husks on, carefully pull the husks back, and remove all the silks. Soaking the corn with husks in cool water prevents them from burning on the grill. You tie them back with soaked kitchen string or a piece of husk and skip wrapping them in foil.
- Next, rub a stick of butter over the corn kernels, and hold it by the paper wrapper around the butter. Sprinkle with seasoning like lemon pepper, BBQ Rub and salt and pepper on each corn ear. Check out the notes section for lots of other flavor ideas!
- Place each corn cob on a piece of foil and wrap it around.
Grilling Corn
- Heat the grill to medium-high.
- Places ears of corn wrapped in foil on the hot grill grates, and turn every 3-4 minutes on all sides for 10 minutes. Keep the grill lid closed in between turnings. If you want a more smoky flavor, pull the foil off using tongs, and let it char on the grill grates for the last couple minutes.
- Serve hot with more butter if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container. You can also cut off the kernels and make a corn salad the next day!
Notes
Why This Recipe Works
- You can make these a day ahead for BBQ parties and cookouts.
- Eat right off the grill without husks.
- Rub olive oil on the in place of butter, then season.
- It will stay hot for a while in the foil.
- Endless options to season the corn the way YOU LOVE IT!
- Quick easy prep. Easier cleanup!
- No boiling pots of water, or any other work to do.
- The melted butter and seasoning are all right in the packet! You can of course add more butter.
14+ Ways To Flavor Corn On The Cob
- Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper
- Lemon Pepper
- BBQ Rub
- Lawry's Seasoning Salt (an original Southern California seasoning!)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Smoked Sea Salt
- Herbs de Provence
- House Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Herb Butter
- Lemon Dill Butter
- Garlic Powder or Chili Powder
- Paprika
- Sun Dried Tomato Butter
How do you make it in advance?
Connie, you prep it in advance and then toss on the grill for your party!
Absolutely the BEST grilled sweet corn. So simple to make and SO much flavor!