Sweet corn on the cob is made even better with a dollop of pesto butter. Four ingredients for the perfect summer side dish...Pesto Butter Corn on the Cob.
I think it's safe to say that we've already eaten our weight in corn this summer, and we're just getting started! We got a little over-eager on the first batches of corn, buying cobs that weren't quite at their peak. But now every single corn cob that crosses our plates is perfection, little pops of sweetness each time we bite into the tender kernels.
Between the corn, zucchini, watermelon and tomatoes, I am experiencing summer produce bliss. It seems so much easier to eat healthy meals and snacks when surrounded by fresh produce. On the hottest days, I don't even crave heavy or junky foods. All I want is fruits and veggies!
This pesto butter corn on the cob recipe is a riff off of the curry butter corn I made last summer. Flavored butter or a quick rub of your favorite spices are easy ways to season corn if you want to veer away from the usually butter and salt routine.
Staring with room temperature butter, use the back of a fork to smash the pesto into the butter. I always use unsalted butter because I prefer to be able to control the addition of salt. This recipe makes enough pesto butter to coat each cob with one teaspoon of the butter, which is the perfect amount for me. If you like to slather your corn even more, feel free to make extra butter. It doubles or triples easily, and the butter stays good in the fridge for at least a week (depending on the freshness of your pesto).
Serve this corn on the cob with shrimp kabobs, chicken kabobs or grilled salmon.
Looking for other corn cob flavoring options beyond this pesto butter corn? Here are some of my favorites:
- curry butter
- fresh lime juice, chili powder and cumin
- oregano and feta butter
- smoked paprika and crushed rosemary
Printable Recipe
Pesto Butter Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 6 corn cobs husked & silks removed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons basil pesto
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 basil leaves thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the corn as desired, either grilled, boiled or roasted.
- In a small bowl, combine the butter, pesto and salt. Smash with the back of a fork and stir until combined.
- Spread the butter on the warm corn. Sprinkle with basil, if desired. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Alyssa D.
Made this for dinner last night. So easy and so good! I'm going to make my corn this way every time now.
Izzy @ She Likes Food
You're making me realize that I haven't eaten nearly enough corn this season! I'm pretty sure I would eat a lot more of it if I had this pesto butter though!! It sounds delicious!
Dee
I'll have to make this the next time we have grilled corn, which is any day now!
Erin Dee
What a great idea using pesto butter for corn on the cob! It's really a nice change from just regular butter. Looking forward to trying this!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
This is such a great (and easy!) idea. And I bet that pesto butter would be delicious on lots of other veggies, too! I need to try it ASAP!
Letty / Letty's Kitchen
I usually eat corn with no butter but you're convincing me to try it with pesto butter--or curry butter!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
I love how you took a classic and added something a little different to it. PESTO BUTTER sounds like it has my name alllllll over it, and I cannot wait to give this a go since we adore corn in the summertime, too!
Sabrina
What a great way to kick up the flavor- it looks fantastic!
Jen
I'm definitely a "slather my corn" kind of girl, lol! I'll be doubling this recipe each time for sure!!
Jenn - Peas and Crayons
I feel like I could reach out and grab and ear of corn off this page - divine! Loving the fun pesto butter!
Liren
Hooray for corn season! Actually, yay for all of summer -- all I want are fruits and veggies, too! Love how you slathered these with pesto butter -- such a great way to enjoy the summer basil, too!
marcie
I can't get enough corn in the summer and I've never tried it with pesto butter. I love the sound of it and the other flavor options you've listed sound delicious as well. These bi-color cobs are so pretty!
Laura
I agree! It's SO much easier to eat healthily in the summer when produce is abounding! Butter makes everything better though...especially when pesto is involved!
Becky
So simple yet I know this tastes so good!