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Grilled corn on the cob is a must-have summer side that’s easy to make and full of flavor. Whether you love it sweet and juicy or charred and smokey, it’s the perfect addition to any backyard barbecue or family meal.

Fresh corn on the cob cooking over hot grill grates.
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How to Grill Corn on the Cob (3 Easy Methods)

Grilling corn on the cob is super simple and adds big smoky flavor no matter how you do it. In this guide, I’ll show you three foolproof methods: directly on the grill grates, wrapped in foil, and in the husk.

What more char? Go husk off. Prefer juicy, tender kernels? Grilling in the husk is the way to go. Keep reading for the exact cook times and tips to get perfectly grilled corn every time.

Ingredients Notes

Grilled corn on the cob ingredients.
  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husks and silks removed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped fresh herbs, grated Parmesan cheese, lime wedges, or chili powder

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Serve as a Salad

Remove the corn kernels from the cob (I love this handy tool!) and make a Street Corn Pasta SaladMexican Street Corn SaladBacon Corn SaladFritos Corn Salad, or your favorite Summer Corn Salad recipes.

A close-up of grilled corn on the cob held by metal tongs over a barbecue.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

Grilled Directly on the Grate (No Husk)

  1. Preheat the Grill: Set your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F.
  2. Prep the Corn: Shuck the corn and brush each ear with olive oil or melted butter.
  3. Grill It Up: Place the corn directly on the grates and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning every 2–3 minutes, until it’s lightly charred and tender.
  4. Finish and Serve: Take it off the grill, season with salt and pepper, and add your favorite toppings.
remove the husk and place the corn on the grill.

Method 2: Grilled in Foil (No Husk)

  1. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high.
  2. Wrap It Up: Shuck the corn and place each ear on a piece of foil. Brush with oil or melted butter, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then wrap tightly into a foil packet.
  3. Grill: Place foil-wrapped corn on the grill and cook for 15–20 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender.
  4. Serve: Carefully unwrap, add your favorite toppings, and dig in!

Method 3: Grilled in the Husk

  1. Preheat the Grill: Set your grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Prep the Corn: Gently pull back the husks (don’t remove them) and take out the silks. Fold the husks back over the corn.
  3. Soak: Submerge the ears in water for about 15 minutes to prevent burning.
  4. Grill: Place the corn on the grill and cook for 20–25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until the husks are charred and the corn is tender.
  5. Serve: Peel off the husks, season to taste, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Start with fresh corn. Look for ears with bright green husks, tightly wrapped kernels, and moist silk for the most sweet corn flavor and best texture.
  • Soak corn when grilling in the husk. A 15-minute soak in water helps prevent the husks from burning and keeps the kernels juicy.
  • Infuse flavor with herbs and spices. Mix fresh herbs, garlic, chili powder, or smoked paprika into your butter or oil before brushing the corn.
  • Let it rest before serving. Give grilled corn a few minutes to rest off the heat—this helps the juices redistribute and enhances the flavor.
Freshly grilled corn with a golden yellow color and dark spots from the grill.

Variations to Try

  • Mexican-Style Elote: After grilling, brush the corn with mayo, sprinkle with crumbled cotija cheese and chili powder, then finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
  • Herb Butter Corn: Mix softened butter with chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil, and spread generously over hot corn.
  • Spicy Garlic Corn: Combine melted butter with minced garlic and a pinch of cayenne pepper; brush onto the corn before grilling for a kick of heat.
  • Parmesan Pepper Corn: Top grilled corn with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a few cracks of black pepper for a savory, cheesy finish.

How to Store

  • In The Refrigerator: Let grilled corn cool to room temperature before storing. Place whole cobs in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat on the grill or in the oven: Wrap corn in foil and warm at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until heated through.
  • Reheat off the cob: Cut the kernels off and reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of butter or oil for a quick and flavorful side. You can also add your leftover grilled corn kernels to a Burrito BowlQueso Chicken TacosMini Enchilada CupsTaco Bell Frito Burrito, or a Mexican Casserole.
Five ears of corn grilling with golden char marks on the cob.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grill corn without soaking it first?
How do I know when grilled corn is done?
Can I prepare grilled corn ahead of time?

More Summer Side Dishes to Try

If you’ve tried this Grilled Corn on The Cob Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. 

4.50 from 26 votes
three pieces of grilled corn on the cob.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

Serves —
This grilled corn on the cob recipe offers three simple methods to achieve sweet, smoky, and tender corn—perfect for any summer meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 4 ears corn on the cob
  • Salt and butter to taste (or other preferred seasonings)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the grill by oiling the cooking grates and preheating the grill to medium high heat, approximately 300 to 350º.
  • Husk the corn, removing all husks and silks.
  • Place the ears of corn on the oiled cooking grates. Cook for approximately 14 minutes, turning corn every 2 to 3 minutes and closing the lid between each.
    4 ears corn on the cob
  • Remove corn from the grill. Season the corn with salt and butter, or as desired.
    Salt and butter to taste (or other preferred seasonings)

Jenn’s Notes

Tip:
  • When selecting fresh corn on the cob, try to find ears of corn whose silks still seem moist.
  • While salt and butter are the classic corn seasonings, there are so many other ways to add flavor. You can slather your corn with flavored butter like garlic butter, herb butter, or Cajun butter, sprinkle on some chili lime seasoning, chili powder, or fresh herbs, or add a squirt of fresh lime juice.
  • For a vegan version, use your favorite non-dairy spreads instead of butter.
  • If you are using the husk grilling method, to plump up your grilled corn and prevent the husks from burning, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, for best results.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 168IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

POST UPDATED: Originally Post May 30, 2017

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4.50 from 26 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing! We’re having corn on the cob for dinner tonight and I think I’ll be trying your recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    Great share! Had a great but smoky flavor. Didn’t add the butter. The burnt husks make quite a mess. Have done this recipe twice.