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Perfect every time with no pre-boiling- The Best Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe Ever – how to grill corn on the cob with the best foolproof method to grill perfect corn on the cob every time! Perfect corn on the cob for cookouts, BBQ parties, or anytime you’re grilling!
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Easy Grilled Corn
We love grilled foods in the summer- and we LOVE corn on the cob. It is cheap, easy and so delicious- there is nothing better in summer than a delicious ear of fresh corn! It’s also the one side dish my kids beg for – for a truly perfect family friendly side dish that is always the first thing gone when we fire up the grill.
Boiling perfect corn can be a pain…. and so can grilling it in the husks with the silk still attached – but this method is a truly fuss-free recipe for grilled corn on the cob because there is no soaking, hoping the silks will dissolve, or boiling water – simply clean the corn, season, and toss it on the grill for the easiest corn on the cob, ever.
We’ve tried so many methods for how to grill perfect corn on the cob, and I’ve found the best grilled corn on the cob recipe! This is the perfect base for grilled street corn recipes, roasted corn for salads, and more.
And if you’re looking for a super easy and crazy delicious baked corn side dish, don’t miss out on my easy baked scalloped corn recipe! You can also find two delicious recipes using this grilled corn recipe – a cilantro pesto grilled corn on the cob and a spicy sriracha grilled corn on the cob – both of which are delicious twists on this easy grilled summer classic!
Cooking it over a longer period of time makes the kernels surprisingly soft and also makes this an easy way to eat corn on the cob, especially for kids. It helps to not be as stringy and in your teeth- while tasting great! This will quickly be your favorite method to grill corn on the cob- and it’s so easy to make, let’s get to it!
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
To make this recipe first assemble the following ingredients:
- Corn (4) – you can choose to keep the husks on for an extra smoky flavor (I am adding information on how to do this under tips below), but we find the best results from removing husks. Corn silks (the long, silky “hair” corn has), need to be removed either way.
- Soft butter or olive oil (4 tablespoons) – we love the rich, savory flavor butter brings out of corn, but olive oil or another oil you love also works.
- Sea salt and pepper (1/2-1/4 teaspoon) – how much you season your corn depends on your preference – but you will use a bit more than you think, since some will fall off due to corn’s shape, so plan for a bit extra knowing it’s not going to all make it onto your corn cobs.
- Foil – if your grill sticks, you will want to use foil to cook corn without letting it stick.
Use this Method
- Preheat grill to 450 degrees or high temp on a gas grill.
- De-hull corn and remove all strings.
- Pat dry with paper towel to remove any excess moisture from corn.
- Generously coat corn with butter, salt and pepper.
- Wrap in foil tightly.
- Grill for 45 minutes on a top rack- turning sides every 10 minutes.
- When corn is lightly charred, kernels have wrinkled a bit, and are soft to the touch, corn is done.
- Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Grilled Corn
How to grill without husks. Removing husks from corn before adding it to the grill does two things – it does lower the smoky flavor charred husks brings to grilled corn, and can make corn more prone to burning and sticking on your grill grates. Corn’s husks are great for naturally protecting the corn on the cob as you grill it – but can also be a pain. I’m going to help you decide if you want to grill corn with or without the husks, and how to make sure either way is perfect!
How to grill husks-on. If you’re cooking your corn on the cob on a propane grill, but still crave a smoky flavor, you can use some of the corn’s husks to create the smoky flavor you can’t get from propane alone. Keep the smoky charred corn husk flavor by leaving 1-2 husks on the corn – OR remove all husks and prep corn as noted in the recipe below, laying a couple of the husks flat on the foil we will wrap corn in.
When corn has been prepped, lay on the husks and fold foil into a pouch to grill. Keep husk side down, and check after 30 minutes. If husks are charred, remove from pouch (you just want to char husks enough for the smoky flavor it will add to the corn when cooking with propane.)
Keep corn from sticking to grill. To keep corn on the cob from sticking to your grill grates, be sure there is a good amount of fat (butter or olive oil) all over your corn to help it caramelize without sticking, as well as pull out corn’s rich buttery flavors. Cooking corn on the cob in a foil pouch makes it easy to toss on the grill without worrying about sticking, burning, or making cleanup messy – so when grilling corn without husks, I always grill it in a foil pouch to provide the perfect mess-free way to get corn to not stick to the grill grates.
How to tell corn is done. Grilled corn is done when the kernels look slightly wrinkly, are soft to the touch, and have a lovely golden char to each side (be sure to flip your corn and rotate it often so it’s evenly charred on all sides.)
FAQs
Set your grill to medium, about 350 degrees – or if your grill is set higher for steaks or burgers, move corn to a higher rack.
Corn is done when it is soft to a light touch, and looks a slight bit wrinkly, before kernels wilt and pop.
Grilled corn can be refrigerated on the cob, or cut from the cob, and stored in an airtight container, for up to four days. Freeze for up to four months.
Use fresh, colorful sweet corn for grilled corn.
What to Enjoy with Grilled Corn
Grilled Meats: Corn on the cob is a perfect side for barbecue staples like grilled chicken, steak, or pork chops. The smoky flavor from the grill complements the sweetness of the corn.
Seafood: Pair corn on the cob with grilled or boiled seafood such as shrimp, lobster, or a fish fillet for a light and refreshing meal.
Salads: Serve corn on the cob alongside a fresh garden salad, coleslaw, or a vibrant tomato salad to add a crisp and refreshing element to your meal.
Potato Dishes: Enjoy corn on the cob with potato sides such as baked potatoes, potato salad, or crispy French fries for a hearty meal.
Vegetable Skewers: Grill vegetable skewers with bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms for a colorful and healthy side that pairs well with corn on the cob.
Bread and Rolls: Soft dinner rolls, garlic bread, or cornbread make a great addition to any meal featuring corn on the cob, perfect for soaking up any butter or sauces.
Butter and Seasonings: Experiment with different butter mixes and seasonings on your corn, such as garlic butter, herb butter, or a spicy Cajun seasoning for added flavor.
Cheese: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese over your corn on the cob for a cheesy twist.
Beans: A side of black beans, pinto beans, or a mixed bean salad can complement the sweetness of the corn with their earthy flavors.
Rice Dishes: Serve corn on the cob with a side of rice pilaf, Spanish rice, or a simple white or brown rice to round out your meal.
Pasta Salads: A cold pasta salad with a light vinaigrette and fresh vegetables can be a refreshing side to pair with warm corn on the cob.
Summer Fruits: Complete your meal with a side of summer fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, or a fresh fruit salad for a sweet and refreshing end.
If you love this easy grilled corn on the cob as much as I do, you’re going to love some of my other favorite grilled dishes!
This corn is delicious with Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Kabobs – the lightly sweet marinade is so addictive! We also love corn with Easy Grilled Ribs, Perfect Grilled Souvlaki, and Spicy Grilled Watermelon for dessert!
Try these with your corn:
If you’re looking for hearty side dishes to serve alongside your grilled foods, check out our favorite BBQ side dishes archive here.
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Best Grilled Corn on the Cob
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn cleaned with husk and silks removed
- 4 tablespoons room temperature soft butter or olive oil
- 1/2-1/4 teaspoon sea salt and pepper per ear of corn
- pepper to taste
- 4 large squares of foil
Instructions
- Preheat grill to 450 degrees or high temp on a gas grill.
- De-hull corn and remove all strings.
- Pat dry with paper towel to remove any excess moisture from corn.
- Generously coat corn with butter, salt and pepper.
- Wrap in foil tightly.
- Grill for 45 minutes on a top rack- turning sides every 10 minutes.
- When corn is lightly charred, kernels have wrinkled a bit, and are soft to the touch, corn is done.
- Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
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