How To Grill Corn on the Cob

Grilled corn has to be my absolute favorite way to eat corn. Learn how to grill corn on the cob to get perfectly sweet charred kernels – this is my claim to fame and I’m sharing it with you today.

When grilling corn on the cob I always grill extra so I can slice it off and use it in salads and dishes for easy weeknight meals.

Grilled corn is a terrific side dish on its own, but it’s also terrific in this Vegetable Stir Fry and in this Grilled Corn Dip.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Ready to perfectly grill corn on the cob? Let’s get started:

First, Choosing the right corn is half the battle. I prefer to buy it freshly picked from one of the farm stands we have near us. I love supporting local but also it is likely the freshest you can find. Look for bright green husks and silks that aren’t completely dried out.

In our area some farmers even let you walk into the field and pick your own. Talk about fresh! The longer corn on the cob sits after picking the more sugar turns to starch. This will make the corn flavorless and often a tougher bite because of the starch formation.

Second, Shuck or remove the husks off of your corn. This can be done by peeling back the green husks starting at the end with the silks. Remove any of the fine silks when finished.

Third, Time to grill. Evenly space your corn on the cob directly onto a preheated grill. Turn your corn often so that it can grill and get a nice even char. Be careful not to over-cook as your corn will become tough and dry.

Note: There is considerable variability in sweet corn year to year based on rain, growing conditions, and variety of sweet corn seeds. Here is a link to a great resource on sweet corn and what impacts its flavor.

How To Grill Corn on the Cob

Here are some simple directions to grilling corn on the cob:

Prep the grill: Preheat your grill on high. Once hot give your grill a quick scrape. Drop your temperature down to medium-high. All grills are different but we are looking for a temperature in the 400 range.

Prep the corn: Remove the husks and silks. Place the corn directly on the grill.

Note: If you want to grill in the husks for more of a steamed corn be sure to soak the entire piece, husks and all in water for an hour or so prior to grilling. This will prevent your husks from catching on fire. This method steams the corn instead of grilling it.

How Long to Cook Corn on the Grill

Grilling corn is actually a pretty quick process. It depends on the temperature of your grill. Plan for it to finish cooking in about 8-10 minutes. You will want to watch it closely and turn it often to get an even char to it.

If you are leaving the corn in the husk, plan for 20-30 minutes as it does take longer for the heat to penetrate through the protective layers of husk.

Buttering corn on the cob can be a mess, my kids LOVE this little gadget, and I love no mess.

There are so many great ways to cook corn! Once you’ve mastered roasting, you may want to try boiling, roasting, sauteeing, or even steaming it.

Want to learn more vegetable grilling recipes? This handy guide to grilling vegetables will give you the basics for a variety of vegetable dishes.