How to Grill Corn on a Barbecue (in 3 Easy Steps)

There’s no better way to spend the weekend than a barbecue with family and friends. You have the right meat, you have your grill ready, and now it’s time to think about the side dishes. One of the most popular options is the American grilled corn. In today’s guide, we’ll teach you how to prepare it!

How to Choose the Right Corn

We know that choosing corn can be tedious, and peeling the husks might seem like the fastest way to check the kernals. However, it can also work against you as the peeled part will dry out faster. That’s why, when choosing fresh corn, the best thing to do is to inspect the husk’s color.

Here’s what you can do to choose the right corn without peeling back the husk:

• Check the color. The corn husk should be tender and green. If it is slightly moist, it is even better.
• Squeeze the corn. You can also squeeze the corn to tell if it is ready to consume. If you feel the kernels are firm and even, it is the right corn.
• Beware of holes. Some brown spots can be scattered around, but do not choose corn with brown holes. It means there are bugs living inside the corn.

Tip: Corn is seasonal food, and you’ll find the best ears from May to October. You should also buy the corn the very same day you’ll cook it because it can get starchy pretty fast.

3 Steps for Cooking Corn on the Cob

Now that you have the right corn, you can start preparing it for the grill. All you need is the right seasoning, a good grill, and some cooking time. We recommend sweet corn for grilling because it has the best texture and flavor.

1. Remove the Husk

There are three ways to cook your corn: without the husk, with the husk, or wrapped in aluminum foil. Each way has unique benefits and drawbacks:

• Wrapped in aluminum: This is the best way to grill corn, as it allows you to use seasoning for better flavor. It also makes the corn juicier, as it won’t dry out during grilling. However, it makes it difficult to know when the corn is done.
• Without husk: This option allows you to check on the corn as you cook, reducing the risk of overcooking or burning. However, you cannot use seasoning before grilling.
• With the husk: The corn will remain juicy and won’t overcook, but it won’t have any extra flavor since it doesn’t use seasoning.

Note: We recommend grilling corn with aluminum foil because it allows for better flavor. It might take longer to cook, but the end result is superior.

2. Prepare the Seasoning

The best seasoning for grilled corn is a combination of salt and pepper to your taste. This mix is not difficult to prepare, and it gives an excellent flavor to the corn. Depending on your taste, you can combine this seasoning with butter or oil. Once you have your seasoning ready, you only need to soak the corn in it for a few minutes before starting to grill.

3. Cook the Corn

Depending on which way you want to cook your corn, there are different steps you need to follow.

These are the steps for cooking cob in foil (corn wrapped in aluminum):

1. Remove the corn from its seasoning dish and get it ready for the grill. The barbecue should already be hot and ready to cook.
2. After wrapping the corn in foil, you can place it on the barbecue.
3. You need to let it cook for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on how big the ears of corn are. The bigger they are, the more time they’ll need on the grill.
4. Once ready, remove the ears from the grill and place them on a plate to cool down.

The steps for grilling corn with a husk are similar to cooking it with aluminum. The only difference is that you cannot season it first. So, place the cobs on the grill for around 15 minutes, and they'll be ready to serve.

These are the steps for grilling corn without a husk:

1. Remove the husk and get the grill ready.
2. Place the corn directly on the grill.
3. Cook it for around ten minutes.
4. Move it frequently to prevent one side from burning.
5. It is ready to serve.

Alternatively, you can make a delicious corn salad. All you need to do is remove the kernels from the cob and place them inside the aluminum foil. Grill them for around ten minutes, and they’ll be ready to combine with any other vegetables.

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