Nothing says summertime like a great tasting silver and gold corn-on-the-cob! Crisp, sweet, and delicious, fresh corn on (or off) the cob is a summer staple. But there is a real art when it comes to harvesting sweet corn. Pick too early, and you diminish flavor; too late, and you invite pests. Best to pick just enough for what you need that day and store briefly in a cool place before cooking. That maintains freshness, quality, and flavor!

View grilling recipes and techniques, below…

A cob of corn has approximately 6g of protein, which is the same amount as an egg! If you’re looking to have less meat on your plate, are vegetarian or struggle to get enough protein rich foods in your kids’ lunchboxes, then a simple cob of corn could be the answer.

Corn is also a good source of energy. While we use corn as a vegetable, technically it is a grain and, as such, it contains carbohydrate. A large cob has approximately 22g of carbs, which is similar to 1/3 cup of cooked rice or 1.5 slices of bread, so if you have a whole cob with a meal, you might not need as much potato salad as you think to go along with it!

Source: CountryLiving and SimplyRecipes.com

The Farmhouse Gourmet - sweet corn

The Best Way to Grill Corn on the Cob

I consulted “She-who-knows-everything-when-it-comes-to-home-cooking” (a.k.a. Mom) who informed me that the best way to grill corn on the cob is to grill corn in the husk, directly on a hot grill.

The husks protect the corn on the cob from getting dried out, and the corn essentially steams in its own moisture while getting infused with smoky flavor from the charring corn husks. It’s also so easy! No need to even break off the silks. Just place the corn, as is, in husks, on a hot grill

 

More Tips for Grilled Corn

  • Soaking corn on the cob? Many people call for soaking corn on the cob in water first, before grilling. There’s no need if you are working with fresh corn to begin with.
  • Removing the silks: Some grilled corn on the cob techniques also have you pull back the husks, take out the silks, and then put the husks back over the corn before grilling. I’ve tried that. It does make it easier after the corn is done when removing the husks. But I find the corn more easily dries out this way, and the best way for juicy grilled corn on the cob is to not mess with the husks.
  • Want grill marks? If you want some grill marks on your corn on the cob, (as shown in the photos), you can pull off a few of the outer husk leaves, leaving less of a barrier between the outer leaves and the corn cob, for more the charring to reach the corn.
Elise Bauer

The Best Corn for Grilling

The best corn for grilling is the freshest corn you can get. The fresher the corn, the sweeter and more tender the kernels will be. When corn is fresh, it will have a bright green husk and a goldish-brown, sticky tassel sticking out of the top.

Try to cook your corn a day or two within buying it. Once corn is harvested, its sugars begin turning to starches, making the corn tougher and less sweet.

It doesn’t matter if the corn is yellow, white, or bi-color; all can be sweet if they are freshly harvested.

Spice Up Your Grilled Corn on the Cob

Butter, salt, and pepper are the classic grilled corn on the cob toppers. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite seasonings. Consider sprinkling these on your corn.

  • Seasoned salt
  • Mayonnaise, chili powder, Cojita cheese, and lime juice (for Mexican street-style corn)
  • Powdered ranch seasoning
  • Roasted garlic
  • Pesto and Parmesan cheese
  • Honey butter
  • Lemon pepper seasoning
  • Old Bay seasoning

How to Store Grilled Corn on the Cob

Refrigerate leftover grilled corn on the cob, tightly wrapped in plastic or foil, for 3 to 5 days. It’s never quite as good eaten off the cob as it was fresh, but you can cut off the kernels and use them in salsas, salads, and relishes. To freeze the kernels, cut them off the cob, put them in a freezer-proof container or zip top bag, and freeze up to 3 months.

 

Love Sweet Corn? Try These Recipes!

FROM THE EDITORS OF SIMPLY RECIPES

Source: SimplyRecipes.com

Method

  1. Preheat your grill:

    Whether using gas or charcoal, you want to prepare your grill for direct, high heat (about 550°F). You know the grill is hot enough if you are able to hold your hand one inch above the grill for only 1 second.

  2. Grill the corn:

    The corn husks will protect the corn from burning or drying out while it is on the hot grill.

    If you want a bit of char on your corn, peel off a few of the outer layers of the corn husks before grilling.

    Place the corn in its husks on the hot grill.

    Cover the grill. Turn the corn occasionally, until the husks are completely blackened and charred on all sides, about 15 to 20 minutes.

    grilling corn on the cob
    charred corn on the cob on grill
  3. Remove the silks and charred husks:

    Remove the corn from the grill. Let sit for 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle.

    Remove the silks and charred husks from the corn. If you need to, use a damp towel to protect your hands from any sharp edges from the charred corn husks as you peel them off.

  4. Serve:

    Keep it simple and serve with butter, or you can sprinkle with a little chili powder, Cojita cheese, and some lime juice for a Mexican twist.