Easy Grilled Corn on the Cob

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Easy Grilled Corn on the Cob is a tutorial on how to grill corn using 3 different cooking techniques.  Learn how to grill corn in the husk, in foil, or with the husk removed!

One of the ingredients that I look forward to the most in the summer is corn.  I grill it weekly, sometimes more than once, and use it in my dishes throughout the week.

Oftentimes I simply eat it as-is, because there’s nothing like smoky, delicious grilled corn on the cob!

I love serving grilled corn with grilled burgers, steak kebabs, or I toss it into my Santa Fe salad!

Grilled corn on the cob

I’ve always loved corn on the cob, but I’d only enjoyed it boiled growing up.  Several years ago I started grilling my corn, and I’ve never looked back.

Don’t get me wrong — I would never turn down boiled corn on the cob.  It’s just that grilled corn is next level with it’s smoky sweetness and that beautiful char!

No barbecue is complete without grilled corn. 🙂 

What’s the best way to grill corn? 

Grilled corn is very easy to  make, but it’s up to you to decide how to grill your corn.

There are (3) different ways to grill corn:

• Without the husk
• In the husk with silks removed
• In foil

How to grill corn on the cob without the husk

In my opinion, the best grilled corn on the cob is achieved by shucking the corn and cooking it in direct heat, or right on the grill. 

Grilled corn on the cob without husks achieves the big smoky flavor that I want my grilled corn to have, and is the best way to achieve a beautiful char.

For me, it’s all about those char marks. 🙂

• To grill, simply shuck your corn, and coat in olive oil and salt, to taste.
• Grill for 12-16 minutes over medium high heat, turning every 3-4 minutes until charred on all sides.  
• If your corn is cooking too quickly, reduce the heat to medium once it’s charred.

How to grill corn in the husk

If you prefer your grilled corn to have less smoky flavor and don’t care as much about the char marks, this is a good option for you.

Leaving the husks on protects the corn from direct exposure to the heat, and yields corn that’s more tender as it is steamed inside the husk.

The drawback to grilling corn in the husk is that there’s a risk that the silk and/or husk will catch fire. 

I’ve grilled my corn on the cob in the husk many times without soaking it, and have never encountered flare-ups.  If you’re worried about it, follow the steps below to prevent flare-ups from occurring:

• Gently pull back the husk about halfway and remove the silks. 
• As an added precaution, soak the corn in the husk after the silks are removed for 10-30 minutes before grilling.  This will add moisture to the husk to prevent flare-ups. 
• With the husk pulled back, coat the corn in olive oil and salt, to taste.  Pull the husk back over the corn to cover.
• Grill for 15 minutes over medium high heat, turning every 3-4 minutes to cook on all sides.  Check for doneness by pulling the husk back carefully and cook up to 5 minutes longer if necessary.

How to grill corn on the cob in foil:

This cooking method is similar to grilled corn in the husk, and is a great option if you’re worried about the husk catching fire.

Grilled corn in foil results in very tender corn as well, as the corn steams inside the foil. 

• Shuck the corn and coat with olive oil and salt, to taste, or brush the corn with melted butter.
• Grill for 16 minutes over medium high heat, turning every 3-4 to cook on all sides.  Check for doneness, and cook 3-5 more minutes if necessary.

How long to grill corn

Grilled corn takes 12-16 minutes to cook over medium high heat on the grill.  A good rule of thumb is to cook the corn between 3-4 minutes per side.

How to tell when grilled corn is done

When checking grilled corn for doneness, look for kernels that are plump and tender.  You can use a the tip of knife to test a kernel when in doubt.  

Some kernels may be slightly shriveled in appearance, which is fine.

Recipe tips and substitutions

• If grilling the corn in foil, you can omit the oil and brush the corn with melted butter.
• Change things up by seasoning your corn with your favorite spices or rubs, butter, herbs or pesto sauce!
• Rub the corn with a paper towel to remove stubborn silks.
• Use pre-shucked corn for methods 2-3 to save time.

See all of my Grilling recipes.

Check out these other grilled corn recipes:

Grilled corn quinoa salad

Grilled corn salsa

Grilled corn zucchini salad

Grilled Mexican street corn salad

Succotash pasta salad

Succotash salad

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Easy Grilled Corn on the Cob

Yield: 4 corn on the cob

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 21 minutes

Easy Grilled Corn on the Cob is a tutorial on how to grill corn using 3 different cooking techniques.  Learn how to grill corn in the husk, in foil, or with the husk removed!

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Ingredients

• (4) ears of corn
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, if cooking without husk
• salt, to taste
• Butter, lime wedges and chopped parsley, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the grill to medium high heat.

Method 1: Grilled corn on the cob with husks on:

• Peel back the top part of the husk and remove the silks to prevent them from catching on fire on the grill. Rub the corn with the olive oil and season with salt, to taste, then pull the husk back over the corn to cover.
• Cook for 15 minutes, over medium high heat, turning every 3-4 minutes to cook on all sides.
• Shuck and serve!

Method 2: Grilled corn cooked in foil:

• Shuck the corn and coat with olive oil and salt, to taste. Cover in foil and cook for 15 minutes, over medium high heat, turning every 3-4 minutes to cook on all sides.
• Remove foil and serve!

Method 3: Grilled corn without husk or foil

• Shuck the corn and coat with olive oil and salt, to taste.
• Cook for 12-16 minutes, over medium high heat, turning every 3-4 minutes or until well charred and cooked on all sides.
• If the corn is cooking too quickly, reduce the heat to medium.

Serve corn on the cob warm with fresh lime juice, a pat of butter and freshly chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

• If grilling the corn in foil, you can omit the oil and brush the corn with melted butter.
• Change things up by seasoning your corn with your favorite spices or rubs, butter, herbs or pesto sauce!
• Rub the corn with a paper towel to remove stubborn silks.
• Use pre-shucked corn for methods 2-3 to save time.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 ear of corn (about 1 cup corn)
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 50Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 74mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is mean to be an estimate only. The numbers will vary based on the quantity consumed, brands used and substitutions that are made. This information does not include the optional ingredients.

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