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    Home » How-to

    How to Grill Corn

    Published: Aug 20, 2011 · Modified: Mar 29, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 38 Comments

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    Ever wondered how to grill corn? This step tutorial shows you just how easy it can be to infuse corn with that awesome smoky barbecue flavor.
    How to Grill Corn Recipe

    Every summer my two sons and I become stalkers. Once a week or so, we drive by our favorite family-run farm stand, desperately watching for the sign announcing the arrival of their sweet summer corn. When that sign finally appears, great cheers erupt, accompanied by enthusiastic bouncing up and down in the seat. "Calm down, Mum - it's just corn." This year, likely due to the cooler weather we experienced earlier in the season, the sign went up later than usual. In fact, it was still absent from the farm stand by the time we left for our summer adventure. Our corn recipes stayed tucked away in the wooden recipe box nestled in the cupboard until we returned.

    A few days after our vacation, we hit the farm stand and were thrilled to see an overflowing pile of fresh corn, ears covered in bright green husks and firm to the touch. The sign at the stand stated that we could buy a baker's dozen for a very reasonable price. My 7-year old son, lover of all things grown from the earth, declared that we should buy at least ten baker's dozens...just for him. Well, we settled for a more modest bagful and headed home, gleefully clutching our bounty.

    Now, we are often happy to husk and boil the fresh corn, dressing it in nothing more than melted butter and salt. However, if the barbecue is already fired up for our favorite summer dishes, such as Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Molasses Chili Marinade or Smoky Sliders with Grilled Pineapple & Chipotle Mayonnaise, then throwing the corn on for a few minutes is a breeze. Grilled corn also adds a smoky, rich layer of flavor to salads, salsas and soups.

    How to Grill Corn 1

    Now, I may be entering some contentious waters here because I know that there is more than one way to grill an ear of corn. Some like to completely remove the husk and grill the corn straight on the grill (I actually used to do it this way) while others swear by soaking the ear, husk and all, in water for at least an hour and then grilling (this stops the husk from burning and provides more water for the corn to steam). A third camp prefers to remove the husk, butter and season the corn, and wrap it in foil before grilling. Is there one correct way? Of course not. I have tried them all and have been happy with each method, though each produces slightly different results.

    In the method outlined here, I removed all but the innermost layer of the husk and grilled the ears straight on the grill. That single, thin layer of husk provides enough of a barrier to stop the corn from drying out, but allows the smokiness from the grill to penetrate the kernels. You will be rewarded with juicy, sweet and smoky corn that can hold its own when topped with cheese or fresh herbs, or shines when simply dressed with butter and salt.

    How to grill corn:

    Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the grate with canola oil.

    Peel all but the innermost layer of husk from each ear of corn. You should be able to see the corn kernels through the last layer of husk.

    Trim any silk protruding from the tip of the ear.

    How to Grill Corn 2

    Place the ears of corn on the prepared grill and cook the corn, rotating every 2 minutes, until the husks are scorched and the kernels are deep golden yellow, 12 to 15 minutes.

    How to Grill Corn 3

    Remove the corn from the grill. Allow it to cool for several minutes, then peel back the layer of husk and silks. Season with butter and salt. Dig in!

    Alternatively, you can cut the kernels off the cobs and use in salads, salsas, soups and more.

    How to Grill Corn 4

    Recipes with Grilled Corn:

    Southwestern Shrimp Cocktail
    Corn Salsa with Zing
    Shrimp Corn Tomato Salad
    Pesto Butter Corn on the Cob

    Grilled corn cobs on white and blue plates.

    How to Grill Corn

    Ever wondered how to grill corn? This step tutorial shows you just how easy it can be to infuse corn with that awesome smoky barbecue flavor.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dishes
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Barbecue Recipes, Summer Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 77.4kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 4 ears corn
    • Butter and salt for serving*
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the grate with canola oil.
    • Peel all but the innermost layer of husk from each ear of corn. You should be able to see the corn kernels through the last layer of husk.
    • Trim any silk protruding from the tip of the ear.
    • Place the ears of corn on the prepared grill and cook the corn, rotating every 2 minutes, until the husks are scorched and the kernels are deep golden yellow, 12 to 15 minutes.
    • Remove the corn from the grill. Allow it to cool for several minutes, then peel back the layer of husk and silks. Season with butter and salt. Dig in!
    • Alternatively, you can cut the kernels off the cobs and use in salads, salsas, soups and more.

    Notes

    *Butter & salt not included in the nutritional information.
    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I provide nutritional information for my recipes as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using the Sparks nutrition calculator and Weight Watchers points are calculated using the Recipe Builder on their site. While I attempt to provide information that is as accurate as possible, you should calculate the nutritional information independently before relying on it.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1corn cob | Calories: 77.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 17.1g | Protein: 2.9g | Fat: 1.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 13.5mg | Fiber: 2.4g | Sugar: 5.6g
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Becca @ Cook, Rejoice, Repeat

        August 28, 2011 at 3:03 pm

        Oh, how I wish I had a grill! I would try this under my broiler, but it's mysteriously not working. Last night I was successful at toasting meringue cupcakes in a toaster oven, but somehow I doubt an ear of corn would fit in there. Thanks for the instructions nonetheless --- I will keep them in the back of my head for later!

        Reply
      2. Marla

        August 25, 2011 at 6:25 am

        A beautiful & informative post. Love your how-tos. Bet you guys had fun munching all this summer corn 🙂

        Reply
      3. Katrin

        August 24, 2011 at 9:55 pm

        You know, I like the soaking method for ease of husk and silk removal. I hate having those tricky buggers floating around everywhere however I do like the roasty flavor of having only a few layers to save the kernels 🙂

        Reply
      4. megan @ whatmegansmaking

        August 23, 2011 at 4:17 am

        I normally microwave my corn, but I've been wanting to grill it for awhile now. Great timing! 🙂

        Reply
      5. Shelby

        August 23, 2011 at 3:37 am

        I absolutely love corn roasted on the grill and the flavor it imparts...makes me drool just thinking about it!

        Reply
      6. Sandy@EverydaySouthwest

        August 22, 2011 at 4:17 pm

        This is this is the only way I cook fresh corn. I roast the ears in the oven just like this when I don't fire up the grill. It works great!

        Reply
      7. Kita

        August 22, 2011 at 2:16 pm

        I've been loving grilled corn this summer. We have done it in the husks and out. Love it both ways.

        Reply
      8. Chris @ TheKeenanCookBook

        August 22, 2011 at 11:46 am

        I've always just husked the corn entirely and put it on the grill, never thought to do it with some of the husk and silk still on. No wonder mine are always hit or miss, sometimes over cooked. Gonna try this while its still corn season here in NJ 🙂

        Reply
      9. Kate@Diethood

        August 22, 2011 at 8:14 am

        Dara, once again you made my mouth water with those gorgeous photos!!

        Reply
      10. Cooking Creation

        August 22, 2011 at 6:07 am

        I've always wanted to grill corn but never knew which method to try. Thank you for sharing this how to! 🙂

        Reply
      11. Barbara | Creative Culinary

        August 21, 2011 at 9:50 pm

        This is the way I like it too. Or would like it. I have been remiss and haven't had one ear of sweet summer corn; now I'm a bit sad...this looks SO good Dara.

        Reply
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      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

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