Grilled Corn on the Cob

Published May 13, 2019. Updated July 13, 2021

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Easy Grilled Corn on the Cob — soon to be your favorite way to cook it! Ears of corn are husked then cooked over a hot grill and ready in 10 minutes. The delicious charred flavor will leave you craving more all summer long and you’ll love these three flavored butters to pair with it! 

Eight grilled corn on the cob on a white oval platter with flavored butters on the side.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

You’ll love this method for cooking corn on the cob not only because it’s quick and flavorful, but also because you can throw them on the grill to the side of the meat while it cooks and get two things done at once.

Grilled corn on the cob is one of the easiest summer side dishes, plus it’s just one of those things people of every age love.

And yes of course this corn is delicious with plain butter and salt, but if you really want to impress and take it over the top then try one of these three flavored butters slathered over it! My personal favorite is garlic parmesan but you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Try all three and find your favorite!

Flavored butters in three small ceramic serving bowls set over a white platter.

Grilled Corn on the Cob Ingredients

If you want to make just the bbq corn on the cob, you’ll need the following:

  • Fresh sweet corn
  • Butter (plain or seasoned — more on that in a moment)
  • Salt and pepper

I’ve created three flavored butters you can pair with this grilled corn: Garlic Parmesan Butter, Herb Butter, and Chili Lime Butter. Each flavored butter uses a mixture of fresh herbs and spices that you likely have on hand already.

Otherwise, the only corn on the cob seasoning you’ll need is salt and pepper!

Eight ears of corn on a grill with dark char marks.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

There are so many tutorials online about how to cook corn on the cob on the grill. But here’s what I’ve found to be the best way to grill corn:

  • Preheat the grill (for about 10 minutes). Otherwise it will take way too long to cook and the corn will dry out. Clean grill grates after it’s preheated a while.
  • Husk the corn. Pull off all outer leaves, stringy silks and break the bottom stalk. Or buy it pre-shucked and skip this step.
  • Place corn on hot grill with space between ears of corn for heat to circulate.
  • Cook (covered with grill lid) turning every 2 – 3 minutes.

How Long to Grill Corn on the Cob

Corn should appear nicely charred in places on all sides once done and kernels should be tender, it should take about 8 – 12 minutes total. But keep in mind this can vary depending on inside temperature of the grill, corns distance to flames, and temperature of corn to begin with.

Close up image of stack of grilled corn on the cob on a white oval serving platter set over a marble surface.

Can I Grill Corn in the Husk?

Yes. But I prefer to grill corn on the cob without the husk on so you get more browning and charred flavor. If you opt to grill with husk on then soak the corn cobs in water for 10 minutes first so it doesn’t burn. Cook over medium-high heat about 15 minutes turning occasionally (corn should be tender when pierced).

Can I Grill Corn in Foil?

If you want to flavor the corn with something while it grills then yes heavy duty foil can be used, otherwise it’s not really necessary.

Close up image of stack of grilled corn on the cob.

What Should I Serve with Grilled Corn?

Six grilled corn on the cob rubbed with flavored butters.

Tips for the Best Corn on the Cob

  • Be sure to pick good-quality sweet corn. The silk on the corn should be pale in color and shouldn’t look dried out.
  • You’re welcome to use either unsalted or salted butter to make the flavored butters.
  • If you wind up with leftover grilled corn, I recommend making this Mexican Street Corn Salad or this Black Bean and Corn Salad with it.

More Summer Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love:

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Close up image of stack of grilled corn on the cob on a white oval serving platter set over a marble surface.
5 from 3 votes

Grilled Corn on the Cob

The tastiest way to cook corn on the cob! Super easy and full proof, and deliciously charred and flavorful. And everyone will love the seasoned butters to slather over it!
Servings: 8
Prep10 minutes
Cook9 minutes
Ready in: 19 minutes

Ingredients

Grilled Corn

  • 8 ears corn, husked (or desired amount)
  • 8 Tbsp plain butter or seasoned butter for serving, recipes follow
  • Salt and pepper

Garlic Parmesan Butter

  • 8 Tbsp butter, divided
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp)
  • 1/2 cup finely freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning

Herb Butter

  • 8 Tbsp butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp finely minced fresh parsley
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh chives
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder

Chili Lime Butter

Instructions

Grilled Corn on the Cob

  • Preheat a gas grill over medium high heat to about 450 degrees. Brush grill grates clean.
  • Once grill is preheated, place corn on grill, leaving space between them. Let grill (with lid closed) until charred on all sides, turning every few minutes, about 8 - 12 minutes total.
  • Roll in butter or spread butter over hot corn, if using unflavored butters season corn with salt.

Garlic Parmesan Butter

  • Place 7 Tbsp slightly softened butter in a small mixing bowl. Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until just barely becoming golden brown, about 30 - 60 seconds.
  • Pour mixture over butter in dish along with parmesan and Italian seasoning. Mix while seasoning with salt to taste as needed.

Herb Butter

  • In a small mixing bowl stir together butter, parsley, chives, garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Chili Lime Butter

  • In a small mixing bowl stir together butter, chili powder, cayenne pepper, lime zest, lime juice, honey, cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Salted or unsalted butter will work for the flavored butters.
  • If you wind up with leftover grilled corn, I recommend making this Mexican Street Corn Salad or this Black Bean and Corn Salad with it.
  • Nutrition is for corn and 1 Tbsp plain butter per ear. Butter mix-ins will add a few additional calories.
Nutrition Facts
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Amount Per Serving
Calories 179 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 30mg10%
Sodium 114mg5%
Potassium 243mg7%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 525IU11%
Vitamin C 6.1mg7%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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6 Comments

  • Sarah

    I made the chili lime butter for a bbq yesterday and it was very delish! I’m wondering how long you can store the leftover butter for?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      It should keep for about 1 week. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  • Fuzzy Woman

    Hi, I tried the herb butter spread last night—9.29.19. It was simple to make—loved that it only had a few ingredients—and it was quick to prepare. Lastly, it had a flavorful taste—thank you for the recipe!

  • fiorinoBianchi

    Hi…I am big Fan of your Elegant Recipes …awesome scrumptious recipe…we do not throw away the stringy silks..instead we make very Healthy Tea which is very good for the Kidney Urination ..or we add them to the Vegetable broth…Moreover, is it possible to add to your recipes BUTTONS to share them easily on Facebook..Twitter, Tumblr and Yummly??

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’ve never heard of that I’ll have to read more about it, thanks for the tip! I love finding ways to make the most of the waste.
      And sorry about the share buttons, at the moment the only one I have is Pinterest because the ones I was using previously (ran by another company) made my site (and 70,000 others) get hacked.