Grilled Corn! The most effortless BBQ side dish ever, this is how to grill corn: cook corn on a very hot BBQ for 10 minutes and for extra amazingness, brush with melted butter as they cook!
Essential BBQ Side Dish!
Whenever you have a passing thought about what sides to make for a BBQ, the answer must surely always include grilled corn, right??! I mean, it’s the most effortless BBQ side dish ever: plonk corn on the BBQ, serve with butter.
And we could just leave it at that.
But I like to do one extra little thing to make it even more amazing: brush with melted butter while it’s on the BBQ. This does two things – adds buttery flavour, and helps get extra char on the corn because the butter conducts heat. It’s so good!
How to grill corn
There’s a few ways to grill corn – with the husk on or off, directly on charcoal or on the grill.
I think the best way to grill corn is with the husk removed, and on the grills rather than directly on the charcoal or heat source. Here’s why:
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Husk on – least prep and juiciest kernels, but hard to tell if it’s cooked, not everyone likes the grassy flavour you get from the husk and you don’t get charring on the corn kernels which is the second best part! (The best is the butter 😂)
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Direct on charcoal or BBQ flames – you get the best charring but it does have a tendency to dry out some of the kernels before all the kernels are cooked.
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Husk off, wrapped in foil – juicy kernels, like grilled corn with the husk on, but the most prep!
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Husk off, on the grills – my favourite method. Call it the compromise!
How to tell when corn is cooked?
Raw corn is pale yellow and the kernels are hard. Cooked corn kernels turn bright yellow when cooked, and are tender when pierced with a knife.
What to serve grilled corn with
I struggle to think of any dish that corn would not go with! You might assume that it doesn’t belong on an Asian BBQ menu, but actually, grilled corn is quite a common street food in South East Asia.
And here’s something that might get you inspired:
🔥GRILLING WEEK!🔥
Key Tip – don’t overcook the corn!
The trick to great grilled corn is to cook it long enough to get a char, but not so long that the kernels end up juiceless and dry.
When you grill corn the way I do without the husk, it’s inevitable that you’ll get some shrivelled kernels, like you can see below, but we want to minimise those shrivelled patches whilst still getting some nice charred bits for flavour.
So make sure to use a very hot BBQ so you can get maximum charred bits in the fastest time possible for the juiciest corn! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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How to make Grilled Corn
Ingredients
- 4 whole corn on the cob
- 2 tbsp/ 30g melted butter , salted
Serving:
- Softened butter , salted (not optional)
- Finely chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat BBQ (grill side) until very hot.
- Peel husk off the corn.
- Place corn on the BBQ (no oil required).
- Cook for 10 minutes, turning every couple of minutes, until there's little charred bits and the kernels are tender when pierced with a knife, but still JUICY! Overcooked corn is shrivelled, dry and sad.
- In the last minute, brush with melted butter and roll around.
- Serve corn with softened butter, sprinkled with parsley if desired!
Recipe Notes:
Life of Dozer
No corn for Dozer! I know corn kernels are ok but the cobs are not, so for ease I just have a “no corn” rule for Dozer – so he can nibble on some broccoli instead!
Husk on is the best method. Corn is first on last off. Rotate the corn every few minutes and cook it till the husks are black and starting to fall apart. The corn WILL have the charring. Cut the butt off and the corn will slide right out. No peeling!
Amazing! Bursting (literally) with juiciness.
Teaching myself to grill this summer. I very much appreciate this simple recipe as it helped me make the best corn possible as I had no clue where to start. Was delicious and husband requested extra cob for next time. Thanks so much!
Yummy have ever night of the week when it’s in season.
Ps the husks if you cook it straight on the coals they go black ashy (but messy and smoky outside eating only) but the corn is steamed and lovely inside .
Straight forward recipe I know, but thank you for going to the effort of posting. It just helps with getting new ideas. I don’t why but I just never cooked corn like this before and now I love it! It’s a cheap vege and looks great charred up. I just cook it indoors on my grill plate, I don’t have a BBQ as I live in a unit and it doesn’t stop me – I’ve cooked it again! Thanks again Nagi.
Could you cook these in a grill pan on gas top?
Yes definitely Jadd!
Living in AZ we always grill our corn this way because it is shipped on from other states, and not “fresh picked”. We then usually mix mayo, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Either cut off cob and mix in or slather on ear, sprinkle with seasoning like chili powder or whatever to your liking.
I’ll have to try your spicy recipe it sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing I’m cooking tonight.
Yum, sounds divine Carol!