Grilled Corn on the Cob

Sweet, juicy Grilled Corn on the Cob is brushed with a rich homemade garlic chive butter and grilled until perfectly tender with lightly charred kernels. This easy Southern-inspired summer side dish is perfect for backyard barbecues, cookouts, holiday gatherings, and weeknight dinners.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword corn-on-the-cob-recipes, grilled-corn-on-the-cob

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings servings

Calories 232kcal

Ingredients

8 medium corn on the cob husks intact
1 Tbsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1-2 Tbsp fresh chopped chives
2 medium garlic cloves minced
1/2 tsp lemon pepper

Instructions

Pull husk back from each cob and remove silk. Recover corn with husk.
Dissolve salt in a large bowl of cold water. Soak corn for 10 minutes. Remove and drain well. Use a paper towel to pat dry.
Preheat grill to medium. Brush grates with olive oil or coat with grill safe cooking spray.
Cook corn for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally until fork tender.
Meanwhile, whisk together butter, chives, Parmesan garlic and lemon pepper until fully blended. Chill until serving. (This is even better if made several hours in advance or the day before)
Remove husks and serve corn with garlic chive butter.

Notes

Butter - You can use salted butter or unsalted butter. When using unsalted butter, add salt to your taste to season the butter mixture.
Fresh Herbs - You can use fresh parsley, thyme or rosemary.
Spice - You could add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the butter.
Lemon Pepper - You can use black pepper and a squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice.
Adjust Cooking Time - Choose ears that are similar in size for even cooking. The grilling time can vary slightly depending on the size of the ears of corn.
Remove Silk - It's important is to clean the silk carefully from the corn prior to soaking. Inspect the corn carefully, removing any bad spots or kernels. Once the husk is pulled back, use a damp paper towel to grab the silk making it easier to remove and discard.
Use the Husk to Lock in Moisture - Pull the husk back over the corn to cover it for soaking and grilling. This will allow the sweet corn to cook more slowly and prevent it from burning. That said, some random kernels may char a bit when turning and that only adds to the grilled flavor.
Make-Ahead Tip - The garlic chive butter can be made one day in advance to give the flavors time to marry. A few hours ahead of time or overnight works well. Just allow some time at room temperature to soften before serving.

Nutrition