Quick and easy grilled corn on the cob recipe this 2023

Grilled corn on the cob is one of the stars during the summer season since it is easy to cook and makes a perfect side dish for burgers, steak, and chicken.

There are various ways to prepare and cook corn on the cob. Below are some quick and easy grilled corn on the cob in husk or foil recipes. Cooking tips and frequently asked questions are also discussed.

How to grill corn on the cob

Here are the typical steps on how you can grill corn on the cob. If you will be using an oven to grill the corn, continue reading below and check out the grilled corn on the cob recipe using an oven.

Pre-soak the corn

If you plan to grill corn in the husk, the first thing you should do is soak it first. This way, the corn will not burn and will retain enough mixture as it grills. Pre-soaking the corn will result in juicy and tender kernels. Here is the proper step for pre-soaking the corn:

  1. Peel the husk without fully detaching it from the corn.
  2. Remove the corn silk.
  3. Soak the cobs in clean water from 30 minutes up to 8 hours until the husks are fully saturated.

Grill the corn

If you aim to grill the corn without the husk, you can skip step 1 and move on to cooking right away. After soaking or removing the husk, place the corn on the grill. Then, turn the corn every few minutes until it is hot and tender.

Add flavor

Once the corn is grilled, you can add flavorings such as garlic butter. You can also create your flavor by mixing the butter with other seasonings such as chili powder, salt, pepper, basil, or even sugar and cinnamon.

Husk or no husk?

Corn can be grilled in the husk, but you can also peel it off before cooking. Keep in mind that it is better if you pre-soak the corn if you want to leave the husk while grilling. On the other hand, removing the husk before grilling results in a bit more char and smoky flavor on the corn.

If you are debating whether you should leave the husk or not, there are certain aspects we should consider. First is your prep time. Do you have enough time to pre-soak and prepare the corn with husk, or are you in a rush? If you have time, then it might be better to make grilled corn in husk.

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On the other hand, if you want to quickly whip up a tasty side dish, try making grilled corn on the cob in foil. This grilled corn on the cob recipe does not require you to pre-soak the cobs for a certain amount of time.

Another aspect you should look at is whether you should grill the corn with husk or no husk is the texture you want to achieve. If you want juicy corn, try grilled corn in husk to trap the moisture and heat within the kernels. Otherwise, removing the husk will result in more charred corn that many people also love.

Grilled corn on the cob calories

Typical grilled corn contains at least 77 calories. This number does not include the calories you can also get from butter, olive oil, and seasonings. Other nutrients you can get from eating grilled corn are the following:

  • Carbohydrates 
  • Protein
  • Saturated Fat
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Fiber
  • Sugar
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Iron

Grilled corn on the cob seasoning

Many people believe that the secret to great grilled corn on the cob lies in the spices and seasonings used. Most grilled corn only calls for butter and salt. But if you want to take the classic grill corn on the cob recipe to the next level, you can experiment with other spices and seasonings as well.

For instance, if you want to turn the grilled corn on the cob into a dessert, try slathering some butter and rolling it on cinnamon and sugar. If you want to have some kick of spice, sprinkle some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes on the grilled corn on the cob.

Grilled corn on the cob in oven recipe

Grilled corn can be prepared and cooked in a variety of ways. One of the most common ways is to grill the corn in husk, which requires you to pre-soak the cobs. Another great way to cook corn is by following the grilled corn on the cob in foil recipe. 

Here are the two quick and easy ways to cook grilled corn on the cob in husk and grilled corn on the cob in foil:

Ingredients:

  • Four ears of corn
  • Salt and pepper
  • One tablespoon of olive oil
  • Two tablespoons of butter
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Preparation time: 5 minutes to 8 hours (depending on whether you prefer to grill the corn with or without husks)

Cook time: 15 minutes

Total time: 20 minutes to 8 hours (depending on the procedure of preparing the corn)

Number of servings: 4 servings

Directions for grilling corn on the cob in husk:

  1. Peel the husk without completely detaching on the cob. Remove the silk and fold the husks back to cover the corn again.
  2. Soak the corn in a bowl of water for at least 15 minutes. You can also soak the corn overnight for 6 to 8 hours for maximum moisture.
  3. Preheat the oven to medium-high heat.
  4. Remove the corn cobs from soaking and shake off the excess water.
  5. Place the cobs in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to turn the cobs occasionally to ensure they are evenly cooked.
  6. Once the corn cobs are cooked, peel off the husks.
  7. Spread some butter on the cob and season with salt and pepper.

Directions for grilling corn on the cob in foil:

  1. Preheat the oven to medium-high heat.
  2. Remove the husk and silk from the corn, then brush it with olive oil.
  3. Cover the corn with foil.
  4. Place the corn in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to turn them occasionally to ensure they are evenly cooked.
  5. Once the corn cobs are cooked, spread some butter on them and season with salt and pepper.

Tips for Grilled corn on the cob on the stove

Other than grills and ovens, you can also make grilled corn on the cob using your stovetop. Here are some helpful tips you can use when cooking grilled corn on the cob on the stove.

  • Pick the freshest corn: Look out for corn with golden silk and a sweet smell. Its texture should not be mushy when pressed.
  • Remove the husk: You should remove the husk when using a stove to grill the corn. This will ensure that it will get the nice char that you usually get using a grill or oven.
  • Use a cast iron pan or skillet: When cooking grilled corn on the cob using a stove, make sure to use a cast iron pan or skillet for an even heat distribution.
  • Use a tong: If you don’t have an iron pan or skillet, you can directly grill the corn on the stovetop. Simply use a heat-safe tong to hold the corn while you grill and turn it occasionally over direct heat.
  • Do not overcook the corn: Watch the cooking time and make sure to grill the corn for at least 15-20 minutes only. When you overcook the corn, it will lose its crunch and will become chewy.
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FAQs

How long do you grill corn on the cob on the grill?

Cooking grilled corn on the cob in husk and foil takes about 15-20 minutes if you are using an oven. On the other hand, grilling corn on the cob without husks over direct heat can only take from 6 up to 8 minutes, depending on your preference. You can tell that the corn is completely cooked when you can see plum kernels that will look almost boiled or steamed. 

Can you grill frozen corn?

If you can’t find fresh corn to grill, you can opt to use frozen corn instead. You can grill frozen corn without thawing. However, if you want to cook the cork quickly, it is better to soak the frozen corn beforehand.

Do you have to pre-soak corn before grilling?

It is not a requirement to pre-soak the corn before grilling. However, it is recommended that you do a pre-soak if you are going to make grilled corn on the cob in husk. This will reduce the possibility of the husk burning or catching fire. Moreover, pre-soaking will ensure that the corn will still retain moisture once it hits the grill.

Is it better to grill corn with or without foil?

Making grilled corn on the cob in foil is ideal for those who want moist and flavorful corn. This is because the foil will trap the juice and steam while cooking. However, if you want to grill the corn quickly, you can skip the foil preparation and cook the cob right away. Doing this will produce more char and caramelization on the corn. 

Conclusion

Are you preparing to have a summer cookout using the grilled corn on the cob recipe above? Make sure you use the best cooking tool as well! Check out our grilling tools reviews so you will have an idea of which brand makes the best grills and ovens. More recipes for grilled dishes are available at Brooklyn Grill as well! 

Paul Goral

Paul Goral

I am the founder of Brooklyn Grill and I have a master’s degree in Engineering Acoustics. I love cooking, grilling, and trying new recipes. I also love camping and high-quality knives. I wanted to start this blog and share my passion with others.