How to Grill Corn on the Cob perfectly every time! Whether you’re grilling with pre-soaked husks or without husks! Learn how to grill them flawlessly in less than 20 minutes – then top with a honey chipotle butter for the perfect side dish to enjoy all summer!
Some of my favorite recipes to serve with grilled corn on the cob are Honey Sriracha Glazed Chicken Thighs and of course my Fall of the Bone BBQ Back Back Ribs.
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Growing up, corn on the cob was THE thing to make in the summer. I’m pretty sure it was our staple “side dish” every night and I was totally ok with it. There is nothing like a perfect grilled corn on the cob slathered in butter and salt or whatever your topping of choice is.
I can remember when we’d go to the Wisconsin State Fair in August, we’d stop at the grilled corn tent every time. It was like a symphony watching the corn being pulled out of the soaking buckets, steaming on the grill, moving to the next person who pulled the charred husks back to make a handle for you then dunked it in a vat of garlicky herb butter and sprinkle with the perfect amount of salt!
How to buy the best corn on the cob?
The best tip I can give you when looking to buy the best corn on the cob is to peel back the husks a bit to take a peek at the kernels. There’s nothing worse then coming home, prepping your cob to find out that half of the corn is bad. Now, having said that, you definitely can’t fully shuck 20 ears of corn at the grocery store. Here to things to look for before you peel the husk back to see what’s inside:
- Look for ears with tight green husks and golden brown silk. (that’s the hair part that you remove before grilling).
- Don’t touch the brownish husks and the ones that have dry or black silk coming out on top.
- Feel the ear for plump kernels.
- Now, peel to see if it’s a healthy corn on the cob.
Do you have to soak corn on the cob before grilling?
Yes and No. Some people like to brine or soak their corn for at least 10 minutes before grilling. This creates a “steaming” effect as you grill the corn. However, you don’t have to soak the corn if you don’t want to or don’t have time. You can go from grill to mouth as quickly as possible. Just shuck the corn completely and then place it right on the grill to cook and get those beautiful char marks. Either way, grilled corn takes about 15-20 minutes.
How to grill Corn on the Cob in the husk?
First things first, before you even start grilling make sure you have all the right grilling utensils to ensure the process is easy and you prepared before anything hits that searing how grill. You can find all my grilling tools and accessories here.
- Gently peel back the husk from the cob and remove the silk. Gently fold the husks back in place and put corn on the cob in an cold water bath for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime heat grill to medium high heat, about 350-400°F.
- Remove corn from the water bath and place on grill. Grill for 15-20 minutes flipping throughout grilling process so as not to burn
How to grill Corn on the Cob without husk?
When I’m grilling corn on the cob without the husk I usually don’t soak my corn either. In this method I’m trying to get it done fast but still have that awesome grilled taste!
- Peel back the husk from the cob and remove both the husk and silk from the cob.
- In the meantime heat grill to medium high heat, about 350-400°F.
- Place corn on grill and grill for 15-20 minutes flipping throughout grilling process so as not to burn.
How to serve grilled corn?
There are plenty of ways to serve corn on the cob. I think it depends on how you like it. I grew up with it plain jane, butter and salt. But as I’ve gotten older I like to jazz up the flavor with compound butters or slicing it off the corn and making a salad. Here are some of my favorite wants to serve it.
- Butter + Tony Cajun Seasoning (for a kick)
- Garlic Herb Butter
- Honey Chipotle Butter (listed below)
- Roasted Jalapeño Cream Sauce with crumbled Queso Fresco
- Tossed in a Salad like this Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites), Grilled Corn Salad with Jalapeño Dressing, Chili Lime Sweet Corn Salad or my California Steak Salad.
- Crumbled on a Pizza like this Charred Corn Caprese Flatbread with Balsamic Reduction
- Sliced off the cob and then made into a corn relish to serve with pan seared sea scallops.
How to Grill Corn on the Cob (2 methods)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 ears 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Description
How to Grill Corn on the Cob perfectly every time! Whether you’re grilling with pre-soaked husks or without husks! Learn how to grill them flawlessly in 20 minutes – then top with a honey chipotle butter for a healthy side dish to enjoy all summer!
Ingredients
- 10 ears of corn
- water
Honey Chipotle Butter:
- 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 small chipotle pepper from La Costeña brand of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, minced
- 1/2 T. honey
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- zest from 1 lime
- juice from 1/2 lime
Instructions
Honey Chipotle Butter:
- In a small bowl add softened butter, chipotle pepper, honey, salt, lime zest and lime juice. Using a spoon or fork stir everything together until combined. Set aside.
Corn in the Husk: (soaking method)
- Gently peel back the husk from the cob and remove the silk. Gently fold the husks back in place and put corn on the cob in an cold water bath for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime heat grill to medium high heat, about 350-400°F.
- Remove corn from the water bath and place on grill. Grill for 15-20 minutes flipping throughout grilling process so as not to burn.
- Serve with Honey Chipotle Butter.
Without the Husk: (no soaking)
- Peel back the husk from the cob and remove both the husk and silk from the cob.
- In the meantime heat grill to medium high heat, about 350-400°F.
- Place corn on grill and grill for 15-20 minutes flipping throughout grilling process so as not to burn.
- Serve with Honey Chipotle Butter.
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