How To Grill Corn On The Cob

Remove Some Of The Husk For Easy Grilling

How to Grill CORN ON THE COB THREE WAYS ON A WEBER Q!

Yes, you can throw the whole corn cob, husks and all, directly on the grill. Some people swear by this technique, but sometimes the husk catches fire and burns the corns tips. Instead, mindfully trim the stalks tassels and peel back a few layers of the husk, so the grill can get to work faster on the corn.

Leaving some of the husk intact prevents the corn from drying out on the grill and effectively steams the corn. It also makes peeling and getting rid of the silk easier.

Want some char? Simply pull back a one- or two-inch section of the cob and grill that section of the ears last.

How Long Do You Grill Corn On The Grill

How to grill corn on the cob in the husk? After the soak, you can simply throw the corn right on the heat of the grill! Yep, you read that right, direct heat cooks corn the best.

The husks may become blackened and burn on the outside, but that just adds delicious flavor to the insides! Plus, the husks are easy to remove once they are cooked.

You will love Grilled corn on the cob!

Additional Tips + Leftovers

Brining corn on the cob: Another way to infuse flavor to the cobs is by brining them first. This can be done no matter what method you use to grill the corn cobs. Fill a pot with 1 gallon of water and ¼ tsp salt. Place the shucked cobs into the water to soak. Theyll need at least 30 minutes for the brine to be effective. You can soak them for up to an hour, but not longer. After an hour the salt water will begin to have a negative impact on the corn.

Leftovers: You can use a knife to cut the kernels from the cobs and STORE them in an airtight container in the fridge, or you can wrap the cobs with foil and keep them in the fridge. Reheat the kernels in the microwave.

To reheat the cobs: Preheat the oven to 350°F. You can wrap the cobs in foil before playing them in the oven, or even place the cobs wrapped in their husks into the oven. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until warm throughout.

For more of our favorite corn side dishes, try:

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What Is The Silk And Husk On The Corn Cob

Lets start with the basics of corn cob, the husk and the silk, which one is which?

The corn husk is the outer layer of the corn cob, these are bright green and wrapped around the corn.;;

Its actually best to get a bright green husk without holes, which is a sign of no insects, hopefully!;

Now the corn silk is the threads and fibers that grow on the corn, they are usually under the husk and at the ends of the corn cobs.

These will be trimmed up before grilling but not entirely removed from under the corn cob.

Grilling In The Husk: Protection And Flavor

How To Grill Corn On The Cob With The Husks

I prefer to grill the corn while still in its husk, silk and all. This method seems to steam the corn to perfection while giving it a slight smokiness that brings out the corn flavor. Some people recommend soaking the husks before grilling, but doing this keeps the husks from charring and eliminates the smoky flavor that I find so desirable.

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Tips For Buying The Best Corn

The key to the best grilled corn is starting with the perfect ear of corn. Keep these tips in mind to select the freshest corn on the cob at the market:

  • The freshest corn has bright green husks that feels slightly damp not yellow or dry.
  • If you see any small brown holes, thats a sign of insects and should be avoided.
  • When you gently squeeze the corn, it should be firm throughout the entire cob. There should be no soft softs or parts that clearly do not have corn kernels.
  • The tassel should be light brown or gold and slightly stick and smell sweet. If the tassel is dry, black, or mushy, choose a different piece of corn.
  • Once home, you can store corn on the cob at room temperature if youll be cooking it in the next day or in the crisper of the fridge.

Grilled Corn On The Cob Without Husks

Try this recipe: Mexican Grilled Corn

For super tasty bits of char and caramelization on the cob, simply shuck the corn and cook it directly on the grill. Because it’s not protected by a husk or a sheet of foil, the corn will cook a bit quicker, so watch it closely and turn it frequently. For this recipe, Chef John briefly boils the husked corn and then grills it for a few minutes until it’s beautifully caramelized. To give it a spicy Mexican-style finish, he coats the corn with a flavorul mixture of mayo, lime juice, chile powder, and smoked paprika before serving. Watch the video to see how to make this recipe.

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Ways To Serve Grilled Corn

Sweet corn straight off the grill tastes amazing as is. But if theres room for even bigger flavors, you know Im all for that! Heres a few delicious variations to try:

  • Chili Lime: Squeeze some lime over your corn then add a dash of paprika or chipotle powder.
  • Herbed Butter: Stir in some fresh chopped herbs with your melted butter before brushing on.
  • Garlic Parmesan: Mix in minced garlic into your melted butter before brushing onto the corn. Then sprinkle grated parmesan on top.
  • Chipotle: Whip up my chipotle sauce to give it a quick drizzle over the corn before eating.

And if youve got some leftover corn, shave it into this delicious corn salad!

Grill Corn Seven Different Ways

How to Grill Corn on the Cob 3 Ways | You Can Cook That | Allrecipes.com

Once you have decided how to cook the corn, here are some ways to enhance the flavor.

1. Butter and Lime Add lime;zest and a squeeze of lime to softened butter. Mix together. Spread on corn. Grill 5 minutes on each side or until done to your liking. Season with salt and pepper. Lime does something magical to corn and you might want to add it to any of the variations below.

2. Steak Sauce, Butter, Lime- Use your favorite steak sauce. Mix even amounts with softened butter. Season as needed with salt and pepper. Grill corn 5 minutes on each side or until done.

3. Basil Pesto rub pesto into the corn. Grill 10 minutes. You can put the pesto on the corn at the end as an option.

4. Bacon, Mayo, Chives, Parmesan Cheese Rub corn with mayonnaise. Grill corn for ten minutes, turning after five minutes. Add bacon, chives and cheese before serving.

5. Cayenne, Butter, Lime. Make a mixture of butter, lime juice;and cayenne pepper. Grill corn. Season with salt.

6. Smoked Paprika, Butter, Salt.;Grill;corn with a;smoky flavor.

7. Butter and Salt Traditional and if the corn is fresh, you really dont need much.

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The Best Way To Grill Corn On The Cob

I consulted “She-who-knows-everything-when-it-comes-to-home-cooking” who informed me that the best way to grill corn on the cob is to grill corn in the husk, directly on a hot grill.

The husks protect the corn on the cob from getting dried out, and the corn essentially steams in its own moisture while getting infused with smoky flavor from the charring corn husks. It’s also so easy! No need to even break off the silks. Just place the corn, as is, in husks, on a hot grill.

Learn How To Grill Corn On The Cob The Easy Way

Start by heating your grill to medium heat. Then remove a few outer layers of the corn husk. Next, place the corn onto the grill.

After grilling for about 10 minutes, flip your corn over to grill the other side. Grill for another 10 or so minutes until the corn kernels are yellow and tender.

Take your corn off the grill and remove the husks.

Add butter and season with salt and pepper for a more savory taste.

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How To Cook Corn On The Grill

No gas stove? No problem! You can easily grill corn on the cob on an outdoor grill or even in a grill pan!

  • Prepare the corn. Shuck the corn, taking care to remove all corn silk.
  • Grill the Corn over High Heat. Preheat your grill to high. Once hot , arrange the corn on the grates and cook until charred to your liking. Be sure to turn often to cook and char all sides of the corn. This should take about 10 minutes.
  • Season and serve. Run the lime all over the corn cob then finish with red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper to taste.

Spice Up Your Grilled Corn On The Cob

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Butter, salt, and pepper are the classic grilled corn on the cob toppers. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings. Consider sprinkling these on your corn.

  • Seasoned salt
Potassium 174mg 4%
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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Grilled Corn Serving Suggestions

No matter which method you choose, serve the grilled corn hot, with olive oil or butter and plenty of salt and pepper. For a zesty twist, try rubbing it in cilantro lime butter , and sprinkling it with chopped cilantro and red pepper flakes. It would also be fantastic with drizzles of chipotle sauce, cilantro lime dressing, green goddess dressing, or vegan ranch!

I love serving grilled corn on the cob as a side dish with vegetarian tacos, but of course, its also great with classic cookout recipes like these:

Grilled Corn Over Charcoal

If you are grilling over charcoal, pile the hot coals on one side of the grill rather than spreading them evenly across the bottom. This will give you more flexible grilling temperatures to cook with. When you need high heat you can place the food directly over the coals, medium heat would be slightly to the side of the hot coals, and low heat would be on the far side of the grill. If you spread the coals evenly across the bottom you are asking for burnt food since anything you are grilling will have no reprieve from the heat if it is cooking too fast.

I personally use a charcoal kettle grill because I feel the charcoal flavor can’t be beat. If you are considering a new grill, I can’t recommend Weber grilling products enough. They are exceptionally high quality for both performance and durability. I would also recommend picking up a charcoal chimney starter right away too. They are inexpensive and simple to light, eliminating any need for stinky lighter fluid.

The above links are affiliate links. Any Amazon purchases made through these links help support FoxValleyFoodie.com at no additional cost to you.

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How To Make This Grilled Corn On The Cob Recipe

STEP ONE: Prepare the grill by oiling the cooking grates and preheating the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 300 to 350°F.

PRO TIP:When selecting fresh corn on the cob, try to find ears of corn whose silks still seem to be a bit moist. This will ensure you have the freshest corn possible.

STEP TWO: Husk each ear of corn, removing all silks and husks of the corn.

PRO TIP: To get rid of all those pesky bits of silk, run the corn cobs under cold water to rinse them off.

STEP THREE: Place corn on the oiled hot grill grates. Cook for approximately 14 minutes, turning the corn about a quarter turn every 2 to 3 minutes and closing the lid between each turn to let corn cook.

STEP FOUR: Remove corn from the grill. Season the corn with salt and butter, or as desired.

Top Tips For Grilling Corn On The Cob

Grilled in foil CORN ON THE COB – How to GRILL CORN
  • Always start with the freshest corn possible. As soon as corn is picked off the stalk, it starts to lose its natural sugars and convert them to starch. So, a cob picked the same morning you are going to grill will be sweeter than a cob picked a day or two before. The best way to guarantee fresh corn is to pick up a few ears from your local farmers market or farm stand. Look for husks that are tightly wrapped and green. Get more tips for choosing the best ear of corn.
  • To soak or not to soak, that is the question. Some folks believe you can get a little extra steam power by soaking corn in water for 15 minutes before grilling.
  • Want that grilled corn flavor but don’t want to gnaw the cob? No problem! After grilling your cob, hold it vertically over a plate or bowl with the pointed end down, and use a small, sharp knife to scrape the kernels from the cob. Serve it as is or toss it into a grilled corn salad.

Related: 5 Mistakes You’re Making With Corn on the Cob

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Can You Grill Shucked Corn

Yes!; It can be done either way; however, our preference is to leave it on and grill it.; Once its done, we remove it and if you want the chargrilled marks, you can place it back on the grill for a few additional minutes.

Its best to remove some of the husks but not the entire thing so that it does not dry out while grilling. Its good to leave about a layer of husk on and then remove the rest.

How To Buy Fresh Corn On The Cob

When buying corn, its not always possible to peel back a corner of the husk to make sure the kernels are plump and fresh. In fact, at some places, its frowned upon. So, when buying corn, keep these tips in mind:

  • Feel the corn through the husk and make sure it feels firm; it should not feel soft or mushy. The kernels should be intact make sure there aren’t empty places where the kernels should be.
  • The husk should be green and tight. Dried-out or brown husks means the corn is old. Also, keep an eye out for little brown holes, especially near the top, as this is a sign of worms or insects.
  • Look at the tassels sticking out from the top of the corn. They should be light brown or gold and a little sticky.

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How To Grill Corn In The Husk:

You can also grill the corn in the husk. Sometimes, the husks will catch on fire when grilling so I recommend removing a few of the outer layers of the husks before grilling.

Then place the corn with the husks on directly on the grill and cook for around 20 minutes rotating frequently until the kernels turn a bright yellow color.

Allow the corn to cool for 5-10 minutes before removing the husks as they will be hot when removing them from the grill.

Easy Grilled Corn Recipe

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

With great enthusiasm, I went searching for a fabulous indoor grilled corn recipe. Surprisingly, there werent too many interesting ones. It seems the best way to prepare grilled corn on a griddle is to not overcomplicate it. What you do with the corn after it is grilled is another story. So, here is the simple way to grill corn using a Foreman Grill. This works best on the flat Panini style grill with the floating hinges that lift up to accommodate the height of the corn.

Ingredients

  • 2 to 4 ears of fresh corn, depending on grill size
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt

1. Preheat the Foreman grill, with standard ridged grill plates, to 375°F.

2. Shuck and remove the silks from the corn.

3. On a plate or cutting board, brush or drizzle EVOO all over the corn, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4. Place the ears on the hot grill between the ridges, so they sit steady in the valleys, and cover with the top. Cook for 5 minutes. Roll 90 degrees. Cook another 3 minutes.

5. Serve with a little butter as a side dish to your favorite main entrée.

6. Note: If you want grill marks, try placing the corn horizontally at 90 degrees to the ridges. They do tend to roll doing it this way, so you will have to experiment.

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No Need To Pre Soak Corn

There is no need to presoak it. Using fresh corn is what will ensure that it is moist and plump. It can actually go right from the stalk to the grill.

When Nathan and I first started making corn on the grill, we always soaked it in its husks first.

Then, one day, it was right before dinner, we hadnt soaked the corn, and we really wanted it with our burgers. So we just threw the corn on the grill.

It turned out great! Turns out we were wasting our time all those years presoaking our corn.

Cooking Method: Wrapped In Foil And Grilled

  • Total time: 15 minutes
  • Rating: 7/10

About This Method: This method uses foil to create a barrier between the corn and the grill, preventing it from burning and drying out. You start by shucking the corn cobs, then wrapping each one in foil with a little bit of butter inside. Cook them directly on the grill for 15 minutes, then unwrap and serve.Results: The corn came out perfectly cooked and snappy. It was tender, bright yellow, and moist. It had a little bit of browning in the spots where it came in contact with the grill, but overall it remained bright yellow. The flavor, however, was a bit bland. It didnt taste like it was grilled at all. It didnt have a smoky or charred flavor and simply tasted like steamed corn with a bit of butter. It wasnt bad; it just wasnt as flavorful as I would have liked.My takeaway: This method results in corn that is tender and juicy, but it lacks the deep smoky flavor you typically get from the grill. It was fine, but it was no better than boiled corn despite taking more effort. The method felt like a waste of time and foil.

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