Grilled Corn on the Cob
Learn how to grill corn on the cob, with or without the husks, no pre-soaking required! I make this grilled corn on the cob so often in the summer. It’s such an easy, delicious side dish!
Grilled Corn on the Cob: A Summer Favorite!
We eat a LOT of corn on the cob in the summer, and grilling corn is one of my favorite ways to cook it! I just love the charred flavor and crisp juiciness of grilled corn on the cob. And my family devours it, every time I make it!
Grilling corn on the cob is practically effortless, and there are so many ways to serve it. Topped with butter, salt and pepper, it makes a fantastic side dish for summer favorites like burgers, Crock Pot Ribs and Steak Kabobs. I also love to add grilled corn to salads, like my favorite Corn Salad, Pasta Salad or a BBQ Chicken Salad. This grilled corn on the cob brings a lovely smoky flavor to whatever dish you add it to!
Should You Grill Corn With or Without the Husks?
You can grill corn with or without the husks, and there are pros and cons to each method.
- Grilled in the husks, corn will be a bit more juicy, since the husks trap steam inside to keep the corn moist as it cooks. However, you’ll sacrifice some of the charred flavor and your corn won’t have many, if any, grill marks. You’ll also have to wait for the corn to cool enough to remove the husks after grilling, before you can serve it.
- Grilled without the husks, corn on the cob will have more smoky grilled flavor and some color/grill marks from the grill. It will be a bit less juicy, though. You can serve it right away, hot off the grill!
Here’s a visual comparison of the difference between corn grilled in the husks and with the husks removed:
Does Corn Need to be Soaked Before Grilling?
No, you don’t need to soak corn before grilling, even if you are cooking it in the husks. I’ve tested this recipe both with and without soaking and found soaking to be unnecessary. I do recommend removing any dry or loose outer leaves of the husks before grilling. Of course, if you’re concerned about flare ups, you can soak the corn in the husks for 10-15 minutes in cold water before grilling.
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Here’s an overview of the recipe steps. Find the full instructions in the recipe card below.
I tested this recipe on a Weber gas grill, but results should be similar on other types of grills.
To Grill Corn in Husks
- Getting ready: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Trim off any silks hanging out of the top of the husks, and remove any loose outer leaves.
- Grill it! Put the corn on the hot grill and grill for 10-15 minutes with the lid closed, turning the corn every 2-3 minutes, until it’s tender.
- Rest. Let the corn rest until cool enough to handle. Then remove the husks and silks (you can use a kitchen towel to help hold the corn if it is hot).
To Grill Corn Without Husks
- Getting ready: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the husks and silks from the ears of corn.
- Grill it! Place the corn on the hot grill and grill it for 8-12 minutes with the lid closed, turning the corn every 2-3 minutes, until the corn is tender.
- Serve corn on the cob, with butter, salt and pepper, or as desired.
Note: It’s normal to hear a few popping sounds as the corn cooks. However, if you hear a lot of popping, it’s a sign that the grill is too hot and you should turn down the heat.
Ways to Serve Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Enjoy it as a side dish, with butter, salt and pepper. So good!
- Slice it off the cob and make this Corn Salad.
- Turn it into Mexican street corn.
- Make a fresh corn salsa or add it to Pico de Gallo
- Use it in place of canned or frozen corn in your favorite recipes, like these Vegetarian Tacos or Southwest Pasta Salad.
More Ways to Cook Corn on the Cob
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn on the cob*
- butter, salt and pepper, for serving, optional
Instructions
To Grill Corn in Husks
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Trim off any silks hanging out of the top of the husks. If the husks have loose or dry outer leaves, remove them. If there are many layers of husk, you can pull off the outermost layer.
- Place corn on the hot grill and grill for 10-15 minutes with the lid closed, turning the corn every 2-3 minutes, until corn is tender. You may hear a few popping sounds from the corn as it cooks, but if it is popping a lot turn down the heat.
- Let the corn rest until cool enough to handle and then remove the husks and silks (you can use a kitchen towel to help hold the corn if it is hot). Serve corn with butter, salt and pepper, or as desired.
To Grill Corn without Husks
- Remove the husks and silks from the ears of corn.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Place corn on the hot grill and grill for 8-12 minutes with the lid closed, turning the corn every 2-3 minutes, until corn is tender. You may hear a few popping sounds from the corn as it cooks, but if it is popping a lot turn down the heat.
- Serve with butter, salt and pepper, or as desired.
Notes
- You can grill more or less corn, as desired.
- I have tested this recipe with and without pre-soaking the corn and I haven’t found it necessary to soak. If you are grilling corn in the husks and wish to soak it, soak in cold water for 10-15 minutes before grilling.
- Nutrition estimate is for corn only, since toppings will vary.
