Do you want to know how to grill corn like a real grill master? Grilling a few ears of corn isn’t actually hard to do at all. Follow the steps listed in this article and you’ll know how to grill corn to perfection in no time. We’ve even added an extra step you can do to turn your grilled corn into Mexican corn on the cob!
How to Grill Corn in 8 Easy Steps
Step 1: Get the Corn
Go over to your local market and grab a few ears of corn with the husk still on. Look for ones with bright green husks that wrap tightly around the corn. Make sure the silk of the corn isn’t dry either. They should be soft and have a golden brown color to them.
Step 2: Prep the Corn for the Grill
The best way to barbecue corn is to grill it with the husk on. The husk protects the corn kernels from the direct heat of the grill and keeps the corn from burning. It also traps indirect heat and moisture so your corn steams as it sits on the grill. To prepare your corn for the grill, you have to remove its silk first. Do this by pulling the outer husks down to the base of the corn. Carefully pull out all of the silk from the cob and discard it. You then fold the husks back up into place. Finally, wash the ears of corn under running cold water.
Step 3: Soak the Corn in Brine
Before putting the corn over the grill, you first have to soak them in water. So, why should you soak corn on the cob before grilling it? Soaking keeps the husks moist, which will prevent them from catching fire while they’re on the grill. If you skip this step, the husks could burn even before the corn gets cooked through. Get yourself a bowl big enough to hold all of your corn. Fill it halfway with cold water, add a few tablespoons of salt, then soak the corn in this brine. How long do you soak corn on the cob before grilling it? You can keep the corn in the brine for about 20 minutes before you plan to grill them.
Step 4: Fire Up the Grill
While your ears of corn soak in the brine, you can start firing up your grill. Heat your grill up to a medium to medium-high heat. This step may take anything between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of grill you’re using.
Step 5: Grill the Corn
When your grill is up to temperature, it’s time to barbecue the corn. Take each cob out of the brine and shake off any excess water. Grasp each one with a pair of tongs and place them directly on the grill. Close the grill’s cover and let the corn cook for about 15 to 20 minutes. To ensure that the corn cooks evenly, turn each cob after every 5 minutes. As soon as the kernels are tender, take them out of the grill and set them aside to cool.
Tip: You can use a barbecue skewer to test whether the corn is done or not. Use it to pierce a corn kernel. If the skewer goes through it easily, the corn is cooked and ready to come off the grill.
Step 6: Whip Up the Herb Butter
As you’re letting the grilled corn cool down, whip up a tasty herb butter to go alongside it. In a food processor, blend together two sticks of room temperature butter, a tablespoon each of basil and parsley, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Blend these ingredients until they come together into a smooth paste.
Step 7: Spread Herb Butter All Over the Corn
When your corn is cool enough to handle, remove them from their husks. You then take a tablespoon of your herb butter and spread it all over the warm corn. After you do this, your grilled corn is ready to serve.
Step 8: Turn Your Grilled Corn into Elotes
You can up the ante by turning them into elotes or Mexican corn on the cob. After covering the corn in herb butter, spread an even layer of mayonnaise around each one. Finish off the elotes with a sprinkling of grated cojita cheese and cayenne pepper. Serve your elotes with sliced lime wedges on the side.
Do you want to see these steps in action? Watch this video by Kingsford for a demo on how to drill corn with the husk on:
Now you know how to grill corn the way a real grill master does it. Learning to barbecue corn is a great skill tohave in your arsenal because grilled corn is classic side dish at weekend barbecues. No summer party is complete without it!
How do you like to serve your grilled corn? Let us know by writing it in the comments section below!