Don't let summer pass you by without grilling sweet corn. Learn How to Grill Corn on the Cob in the Husk with this easy recipe for a summertime favorite side dish.
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It is the middle of summer and the time of year when fresh corn is appearing in stores, farmer's markets, and roadside veggie stands. Sweet yellow, the delicate white, and the yellow and white corn are all delicious for grilled corn and perfect for any summer barbecue, a tailgating party, or a simple side dish.
Why grill corn on the cob?
- Because it is fast and so easy and so delicious.
- No big pots, no baking and no foil required, just a grill.
- Grilling corn in the husk creates its own steam and leaves the corn tender.
- Grilling caramelizes the sugar in the corn and also adds a bit of delicious smoky flavor and chars the corn kernals.
🌽How to pick a good ear of corn
- Of course, the best corn is the one that was just picked. That's why I like to get my corn from farmer's markets or roadside stands. More than likely the corn was picked that day.
- The silk tassel coming out of the top of the corn is the key to a fresh ear. Look for beautiful golden silk threads that are still moist. Once the corn silks turn black you may want to put the ear back.
- Look for nice green and moist corn husks that are wrapped around the corn. If they are drying up or brittle that means the corn is getting old.
- The corn should feel a bit soft when you touch the cob through the husk.
Tips for buying corn
Let's talk about peeling back the corn husk to check the corn inside before you buy it. Well, I have a few words about this. Please don't.
Once the husk is pulled away from the corn the corn starts drying out. I have seen stacks of corn this way at the markets because the tops just didn't look perfect to become unwanted corn. Honestly, now and then I buy an ear that just grew funny or the kernels didn't develop so that one wasn't a keeper. Most corn is beautiful inside.
What about the brown and ugly tops of corn or that dreaded little worm? I am here to tell you the corn is still good. Simply cut off the top that's not good. When I see a little worm in my corn I almost welcome it since that means the corn most likely isn't covered with a nasty insecticide. It's a good sign the corn is organic.
Tips for grilling corn
Do you need to soak the corn before grilling? If you are grilling fresh-picked corn there is no need to soak it since the husks still have moisture in them. This no-soak method makes grilling corn fast and easy.
Should the husks be removed before grilling? You should pull any loose husks off the corn ear, but leave the husks on because they have moisture in them which will create steam and that helps cook the corn and keeps it juicy. Be mindful the husks can catch fire, ditch the loose husks and keep the intact ones on the ear.
Should the corn silk be removed before grilling? I don't remove the silk since I don't pull the husks back. However, your should cut the corn silk off at the very top of the ear of corn since it will burn on the grill. Just snip off the excess silk with scissors and with this, you will snip off the thin end pieces of the husks too.
Jere' Tips: Grill extra corn! I always buy more corn than what I will be serving because you can grill lots of ears and use leftover corn for other recipes like this creamy bowl of Mexican Corn and Bean Soup or our favorite homemade Cornbread recipe that is full of fresh veggies and lots of cheese. You can also freeze any leftovers in freezer bags for later.
🌽 Ingredients
- Fresh ears of corn in the husk
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
Let's grill corn
Step 1. Heat the grill to about 400 degrees or a medium flame.
Step 2. Pull any loose husks off the corn cob. The more husks you pull off the more your corn will get charred during grilling. Sometimes I pull quite a few husks off because the hubby likes his corn more charred than I do.
Step 3. With a pair of kitchen shears or just scissors snip off a little bit at the top of the corn so the long silks and the tips of the husks don't burn on the grill.
Step 4. Place the prepared corn cobs directly on the grill grate. Adjust the temperature to about 375 degrees, or adjust the flame to between medium and medium-low. Cover and grill for 5-minutes.
These ears of corn below have grilled for five minutes and are ready to turn.
Step 5. After five minutes open the lid of the grill and with a pair of tongs turn the ears of corn about a quarter turn and grill again for five minutes.
Step 6. Repeat turning the corn every five minutes for about 20 minutes. To know if the corn is done grilling you can pull back the husk with the tongs to see if it is grilled to your liking. If you want more of a char, you can grill a bit longer.
As with any grill, the heat is different so you may need to adjust the flame/temperature during grilling.
Step 7. Remove the grilled corn and let it cool for about five minutes. To shuck the corn simply pull back all the husks, and usually, the corn silk pulls off with the husks. At this point, you can totally remove the husks, or tie the husk with twine or even some of the green corn husks for serving.
Step 8. You can serve the roasted corn with the husks on or totally remove the husks by pulling them off or cutting them with kitchen shears.
Please make sure to pin for later when you want to grill some corn.
Before you turn your grill off make sure to make this easy Grilled Cherry Pandowdy Yes, grilling desserts is easy and you don't have to heat up your kitchen. Try this recipe with your favorite fruits and see how easy it is to grill a dessert.
Corn FAQ'S
Yes, you can use both and it takes the same amount of time to cook about 20 minutes.
Keep the husks on the corn and keep them in the crisper drawer in the refrigerator for up to three days. Wrap the ears of corn in plastic wrap if the husks have been removed.
It depends on when the corn was picked and how it was stored. Once the corn is picked it starts to lose its sweetness and the sugars convert to starch. You should eat fresh corn as soon as possible for the best flavor and crunchy sweetness.
Wrap the cooled corn in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for three days. To use, cut the kernels off the ear and reheat or use cold in salads.
It can burn if you don't watch the corn. For this recipe, the corn needs to be turned every five minutes, and the flame can be adjusted if it is too hot or too high. The husk will definitely get charred and turn dark, but that doesn't mean they are burnt.
Different ways to cook corn on the cob
- Boil in water on the stove for 6 to 10 minutes
- Steam for 6 to 10 minutes
- Bake the corn in the oven in foil for 30 minutes
- Microwave for about 5 to 8 minutes
- Cooking corn in an Instapot takes less than 5 minutes
The corn I am grilling today comes from my favorite farm stand in Sloughhouse, California. Davis Ranch is known far and wide for its corn that is aptly named Sloughhouse Corn. You know you are getting the freshest corn possible when you can see the corn being picked across the road from the stand, and the workers bagging up the just-picked corn for everyone to buy.
If you live near Sacramento make sure to visit the ranch. I hope wherever you live there is a farmer selling his delicious corn.
Other One Hot Oven farmer's market recipes
Blue Lake green beans from the farmer's market are used for Barbequed Green Beans. These beans are tender and braised in a tangy barbecue sauce with ham and onions. A delicious twist on regular green beans.
If you love pickles look for pickling cucumbers at the farmer's market to make these Bread and Butter Pickles. They are sweet, tangy, crunchy, and delicious. If you haven't made pickles give this recipe a try, it is very easy.
My favorite Weber grill
Now that you have some grilling inspiration let's talk about the grill.
Do you need a grill? You might want to check this one out. I have always had pretty basic grills and they did ok but never got really hot. I will be honest we splurged on this Weber Grill and I am amazed at the difference in how hot it gets and how well it cooks any food I put on it. When we cook pizza we like it to put a pizza stone on the grill to get that brick oven flavor, that requires a hot grill, and to my delight, this Weber gets to 500 degrees.
By adjusting the burners I can also grill low and slow for brisket and ribs. I even make desserts on the grill. If you love to grill this Weber is one to keep in mind.
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Recipe
How To Grill Corn on the Cob In The Husk
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Share on Facebook Pin Recipe GrowIngredients
- 4 ears of corn in the husk
- ¼ cup butter
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat your grill on high to around 375 degrees.
- Pull off any loose corn husks from the cob. You can also pull off a few additional husks which will allow more of the corn kernels to get charred.
- With a pair of scissors, trim the ends of the corn where the silk is and the thin strands of the cornhusk.
- Place the ears of corn on the heated grill and cover with the lid. Adjust the grill as necessary and try to maintain around 375-400 degrees, or at a medium-low flame.
- Turn the ears every five minutes to cook all the sides and keep the husks evenly charred. This should take 15 - 20 minutes.
- Remove the corn from the grill and let cool for about five minutes so it will be easier to handle.
- Remove the corn husks and the silk for the corn by pulling the husks backward from the ear. I tie the husks with the corn husks I pulled off earlier. It helps to use a towel to hold the corn while you shuck it because it is going to be hot. You can also pull the husks off the ear or cut them off with scissors. Whatever is easier for you.
- Place the corn on a platter, spread butter over each ear, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Leftover corn and be stored whole wrapped in plastic wrap or in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for three days. You can also cut the corn off the cob and keep it in a sealed container or you can put the cut corn in a plastic bag and freeze it.
Notes
Nutrition
First published: Sept. 19, 2019, Last updated: July 21, 2021 for better readability.
About Jere'
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory recipes with all my baking friends.
Lathiya
Corn on the cob is always a must for our family when ever we find fresh cobs. This grilled corn on the cob looks yummy.
Jere Cassidy
I'm actually grilling extra corn on the cob and freezing it for later.