How Long To Cook Corn On The Grill
Whether its at a traditional backyard barbecue or simply enjoying the arrival of summer, everyone has come to appreciate a good serving of grilled corn. But not everyone has an idea about the proper cooking time for this delicious treat. Were going to tell you how to properly time corn on the grill, as well as other helpful ideas to make this dish come out as perfectly as possible.
Each Method Of Grilling Corn Has Its Advantages And Drawbacks Here’s The Full Breakdown
I’ve had three great corn epiphanies in my life. The most recent was when my little sister showed me the best, fastest way to prepare fresh corn on the cob indoors.* Before that, a college friend showed me that you can throw whole corn in the husk on the embers of a campfire and, rather than burning into oblivion, it emerges blackened on the outside and perfectly steamed in the middle.
But the first was the most important.
*Place a whole, un-shucked ear of corn in the microwave. Microwave it for three minutes. It is now perfectly cooked, and you are welcome.
It happened on a first-grade field trip to an upstate New York farm, in which the kids piled onto a tractor for a tour of the corn fields. I remember the farmer plucking an ear off the stalk as we rode by and passing it back to Daniel Powell,** who took a bite, rolled his eyes a bit, then passed the ear on to me. All of this would have long ago been lost, packed away in some rusty cabinet in the attic of my memory, had it not been for the one crystallizing moment that came next: I bit into that corn and tasted for the first time what 100% fresh-off-the-cob corn can really taste like. Sweet, juicy as an apple, and packed with flavor.
** The same Daniel Powell who once dared me tricked me into eating rubber cement , and, in a separate incident, stapled my hand to the table.
How To Grill Corn
Theres a few ways to grill corn with the husk on or off, directly on charcoal or on the grill.
I think the best way to grill corn is with the husk removed, and on the grills rather than directly on the charcoal or heat source. Heres why:
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Husk on least prep and juiciest kernels, but hard to tell if its cooked, not everyone likes the grassy flavour you get from the husk and you dont get charring on the corn kernels which is the second best part!
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Direct on charcoal or BBQ flames you get the best charring but it does have a tendency to dry out some of the kernels before all the kernels are cooked.
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Husk off, wrapped in foil juicy kernels, like grilled corn with the husk on, but the most prep!
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Husk off, on the grills my favourite method. Call it the compromise!
How to tell when corn is cooked?
Raw corn is pale yellow and the kernels are hard. Cooked corn kernels turn bright yellow when cooked, and are tender when pierced with a knife.
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Recipes For Leftover Grilled Corn On The Cob
Cut the corn off of the cob and store it in an airtight container in the freezer. Use the leftover corn in one of the following recipes.
Grilled Cowboy Caviar from The Gunny Sack: This Grilled Cowboy Caviar recipe is a flavorful, healthy appetizer that can also be served as a salad side dish. Grilled veggies are a fabulous addition!
Jalapeno Corn Dip from I Am Homesteader: Jalapeno Corn Dip collides Spicy and Sweet for a flavor explosion you will love this. Spicy fresh cut jalapenos, sweet bursts of sweet corn, and crispy thick cut bacon come together in this creamy and delicious dip recipe and will have you firmly holding your spot at the table until its finished.
Corn Salad from The Gunny Sack: This Corn Salad recipe is a creamy combination of fresh sweet corn, colorful peppers, and ripe tomatoes! It is the perfect summer salad for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. Fresh corn salad only takes a few minutes to mix up and can also be served as a party appetizer as a dip with chips.
Instant Pot Chicken and Black Bean Tacos from Five Heart Home: Instant Pot Chicken & Black Bean Tacos boast a tender, flavorful filling, equally delicious in burrito bowls and effortlessly made in the pressure cooker!
Chicken Fajita Southwest Salad from The Gunny Sack: This Chicken Fajita Southwest Salad is a flavorful summer salad recipe thats perfect for backyard barbecues and cookouts. It can be a dinner side dish or a weekday lunch.
Directions For Cooking Corn On The Grill:
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Why Is My Corn On The Cob Tough
Overcooking is a common reason for tough corn. Theres not much you can do to remedy corn thats been overcooked, but a bit of care at the beginning will prevent this problem. Heat water in a pot to boiling, add the cleaned and shucked corn and turn off the heat.
Cooking Corn On The Grill In Foil
Why would anyone need to grill corn in foil, you might ask? Well, its for these three simple reasons:
- It helps cook evenly and perfectly. The foil pack helps trap heat and moisture, ensuring that the entire cob of corn cooks equally and uniformly.
- The foil allows the corn to simmer in buttery bliss the entire time, ideal for dishes like this with lovely garlic butter.
- In 30 minutes, youll have the perfect summer side dish on the table.
To make grilled corn in foil, you need to consider the grill temperature and cook time. Once youve mastered that, you can enjoy your grilled corn in foil recipes anytime you want.
When making grilled corn in foil, follow these steps for optimal results:
- Preheat the grill to a medium-high temperature .
- Season the corn and wrap it in foil. Rub it with olive oil, season it with salt and pepper, and then top it with a couple of pats of butter.
- Wrap the corn loosely with foil. When wrapping the corn in foil, ensure the edges are sealed, but the wrapper isnt too tight. Then, to allow air to escape, punch a few holes in the aluminum foil.
- Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once or twice. Check to examine if the corn is a brilliant yellow color and well-cooked the timing will vary depending on the grill temperature.
The grilled corn in foil with butter, salt, and pepper will suffice to make the recipe pleasant. If you want to go a step further, heres what we suggest:
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How To Grill Corn In Foil:
Pro Tip: I dont add any butter or oil to the cob inside the foil. The corn is naturally juicy and the foil seals in the moisture. You also dont have to worry about oil leaking out of the corn and causing fiery flare-ups on the grill.
Sauces For Grilled Corn
Heres the fun part: what to slather onto your grilled corn on the cob! Of course, you may have your own ideas. But here are some of ours:
- Butter and salt: The classic melted butter and salt is always transcendental.
- Butter and Parmesan: Slather with butter, then add shredded Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs like basil, thyme or oregano.
- Elote : One of our favorite ways to serve corn is as elote or Mexican street corn. The creamy, spiced sauce with cheese crumbles, lime and cilantro is out of this world.
- Chili lime mayo: Or, go a little simpler with this chili lime mayo.
- Yum Yum sauce: This sauce is just like it sounds: over the top yum.
best
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Can I Prep Foil Wrapped Corn Ahead
Cooking corn on the cob in foil is also a great way to cook corn when camping. You can pre-wrap your ears before leaving home and they are ready to toss into the campfire when you get to your campsite! I do recommend double-wrapping the corn in two layers of foil if you plan to cook it in a campfire.
Can I Grill Corn In The Husk
Yes! Corn on the cob can be grilled in the husk. An optional step is to peel back the husk and remove the silk strands from the cob, but you can also grill the cobs without removing the silk. To keep the husk from burning or catching fire, its a good idea to soak your corn for 15 minutes to 1 hour before grilling.
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The Best Corn For Grilling
For grilled corn, you want the freshest corn possible. Ideally its corn thats at peak season and picked as close to grilling as possible. The color of the kernels matters little, but you want ears that smell sweet, are firm when pressed, and free of blackened tassels, thats the ideal. Otherwise, just pick up what works for you.
Read more:5 Tips for Proper Grocery Store Corn Etiquette
What about soaking or brining the corn?
Brining or soaking the ears in water before grilling is thought to season and also plump the corn. There are two problems with those theories, though: In order to take on any salt from the brine, ears would have to soak for several days, at which point youre losing valuable sweetness as the ears age. Secondly, if youre buying fresh juicy corn, you cannot make it any juicier. While soaking may benefit older or off-season ears, it has no added value for fresh summer corn.
Do You Shuck Corn Before Boiling
Just before cooking, husk the corn, pull off the silky threads, and cut out any blemishes with a pointed knife. Drop the corn into a large pot filled with boiling salted water. You can keep the remaining corn warm in the water for another 10 minutes without its becoming tough. Serve with lots of butter and salt.
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Is Grilled Corn On The Cob Healthy
Corn is rich in fiber and plant compounds that may aid digestive and eye health. Yet, its high in starch, can spike blood sugar and may prevent weight loss when consumed in excess. The safety of genetically modified corn may also be a concern. Still, in moderation, corn can be part of a healthy diet.
How To: Grill Corn On The Bbq
Grilled corn on the cob is a staple at our house, especially when we have company over because its generally a crowd pleaser. People are constantly asking how exactly to do it, so Im going to show you several methods and you can pick the one that speaks to you! Whatever method you choose, youll get yummy, perfect corn that has an extra punch of flavor from roasting on the grill. I hope after this youll never boil a giant pot of water again!
Some tips:
No matter which method you choose, if youve got the time, soak your corn first for at least 30 minutes. With the other 2 methods, it will keep them plump and tender.
See that end stump that you normally cut off? When Im grilling corn I always leave them on. It creates a nice handle to turn and also makes those little corn holder things unnecessary when serving. My kids love to hold on to it like a popsicle.
If you have an upper rack on your grill, use it. While your meat is cooking below, the corn can cook happily up top and you wont have to be so vigilant about keeping an eye on it.
1. Lay the clean corn cob on a piece of heavy duty foil. If you dont have heavy duty, make sure to layer a few sheets of normal foil together or you run the risk of burning the corn.
2. Rub butter all over the surface of the corn cob. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. You can add in any seasonings or fresh herbs you like at this point. Be creative. Kate even throws onion slices in hers sometimes.
4. Place directly on grill
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Grilled Corn In Foil With Lemon Dill Butter
Grilling corn on the cob in foil is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to make corn! Add in a delicious lemon dill butter and this grilled corn on the cob is an essential part of summer.
Corn on the cob is a staple in our house all summer long and we get excited every year when corn season returns. We love those plump, tender kernels that spontaneously squirt when you bite into them.
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If you love corn on the cob, be sure to also try our other corn recipes: Grilled Corn in Husks and 15 Minute Boiled Corn, so you are prepared with your favorite corn recipes this summer!
Can You Grill Corn On The Cob Without Foil
Yes, you can grill corn by placing it directly on the grill. This way requires you to watch the corn closely so that it does not overcook or the corns pop.
Spray the grill grates with a non-stick cooking spray and clean the corn of the husks. Place the corn directly on the grill and turn when the corn kernels start to get dark .
Continue to rotate until all the sides of the corn is cooked through. This usually takes around 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the corn.
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Why Do You Soak Corn Before Grilling
If you re grilling corn in the husks, its a good idea to soak the husks. This keeps them from burning and also adds a bit of moisture so the interior steams as it grills. This technique yields juicy, tender kernels bursting with corn flavor in every bite. Peel back the husk, but leave it attached.
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Flavored Butters For Corn
Corn on the cob tastes terrific with plain or homemade garlic butter. To bump up the flavor in your fresh corn grill, blend softened but not melted butter with some of these options:
- Ancho chili powder, grated Cojita cheese, salt, and pepper, for a taste similar to Mexican Elote.
- Fresh basil, salt, and pepper.
- Old Bay seasoning .
- Sugar and cinnamon
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What To Serve With Grilled Corn
- Chicken Kabobs Juicy chicken and colorful vegetables threaded onto skewers and grilled to perfection! The easy Greek marinade gives them irresistible Mediterranean flavor.
- Grilled Chicken Fajitas in Foil An easy, healthy recipe for perfectly seasoned Grilled Chicken Fajitas in Foil Packets. Foolproof and perfect for fast, healthy dinners and summer cookouts.
- Grilled Salmon in Foil How to make Grilled Salmon in Foil. Easy step-by-step for PERFECT, flaky salmon every time. Tips for how to know when salmon is finished and flavor ideas!
- How To Make Taco Salad Healthy Taco Salad with ground turkey, black beans, avocado, and Greek yogurt salsa dressing. An easy, delicious, low-carb recipe.
How Can You Cook The Corn On The Cob Directly From The Freezer
Whenever you are eating corn, you have to consider two options: putting the corn in the fridge for a night to defrost or putting the corn directly in the boiling water so you can utilize it right away.
There are some pros and cons of each method. So, you have to decide carefully which method suits you the best.
If you want to grill the frozen corn, you need to let it defrost. However, if you aim to eat the boiled kernels, you can directly put the frozen corn into the boiled water. Moreover, you can also use the microwave to defrost the corn, so it is not a problem, and you dont have to wait for a night to let corn defrost.
Yet many people still put corn into the fridge for a night so they can enjoy the real taste of the corn. Microwave heat can add a bit of bad flavor to the corn.
In addition to that, you have to decide how you will utilize the corn before freezing it. If you have to boil it after taking it out from the freezer, that means you have to boil it before you freeze it. Doing this can help you cook the corn in minutes.
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