Get ready to elevate your summer barbecue game with these irresistible grilled corn recipes. From classic buttered corn on the cob to unique flavor combinations like chili-lime and parmesan-garlic, these recipes are sure to leave your taste buds wanting more. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or just looking for a delicious side dish, these corn on the cob charms are guaranteed to be a hit. So fire up the grill, grab some fresh ears of corn, and get ready to impress your guests with these mouthwatering creations.
Classic Grilled Corn
Grilled corn is a classic dish that is loved by many. The simplicity of this recipe allows the natural sweetness of the corn to shine through. To make classic grilled corn, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Season the corn with salt and pepper.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and brush it with melted butter.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top of the corn.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can also cook the corn on a stovetop grill pan or even in the oven.
Spicy Grilled Corn
If you’re a fan of spicy food, then this recipe is for you. Spicy grilled corn adds a kick to the classic grilled corn, making it perfect for those who like a little heat. Here are the ingredients you will need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chili powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Butter
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Season the corn with salt, pepper, chili powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper (adjust the amount of spice to your preference).
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and brush it with melted butter.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the spicy goodness!
Tips and Variations:
- If you want to cool down the heat, you can serve the spicy grilled corn with a dollop of sour cream or sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese on top.
- For an extra burst of flavor, you can squeeze some fresh lime juice over the corn before serving.
Butter and Herb Grilled Corn
For those who prefer a more savory flavor, butter and herb grilled corn is the way to go. This recipe combines the richness of butter and the aromatic flavors of herbs to create a mouthwatering dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Season the corn with salt and pepper.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- While the corn is grilling, melt butter in a small saucepan and add finely chopped fresh herbs to it.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and brush it generously with the flavored butter mixture.
- Serve immediately and savor the wonderful combination of butter and herbs!
Tips and Variations:
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs based on your preference and what you have on hand.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add some minced garlic or grated Parmesan cheese to the butter mixture for an extra flavor boost.
Mexican Street Corn
One of the most popular grilled corn recipes, Mexican street corn, also known as elote, is a true crowd-pleaser. With its bold flavors and vibrant toppings, it’s guaranteed to be a hit at your summer BBQ. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Mayonnaise
- Cotija cheese (or feta cheese)
- Chili powder
- Fresh lime wedges
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill.
- Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise all over the corn.
- Crumble the Cotija cheese (or feta cheese) on top of the mayonnaise.
- Sprinkle chili powder over the cheese.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the corn and garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve immediately and indulge in the flavors of Mexican street corn!
Tips and Variations:
- For an even more authentic flavor, you can substitute the mayonnaise with Mexican crema or sour cream.
- If you like it hot, you can sprinkle some cayenne pepper or hot sauce on top of the corn.
Cheesy Grilled Corn
Who can resist the combination of grilled corn and melty cheese? Cheesy grilled corn takes the classic dish to a whole new level of indulgence. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
- Shredded cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Season the corn with salt and pepper.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and brush it with melted butter.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese all over the corn.
- Place the corn back on the grill for a couple of minutes, just until the cheese starts to melt.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the ooey-gooey goodness of cheesy grilled corn!
Tips and Variations:
- You can get creative with the cheese by adding some crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, or even chopped sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- To make it even more decadent, drizzle some homemade cheese sauce or garlic aioli over the corn.
Lime and Cilantro Grilled Corn
For a fresh and zesty twist on grilled corn, try this lime and cilantro recipe. The combination of tangy lime juice and fragrant cilantro is a match made in heaven. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Salt
- Butter
- Fresh lime juice
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Season the corn with salt.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and brush it with melted butter.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice all over the corn.
- Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top of the corn.
- Serve immediately and savor the refreshing combination of lime and cilantro!
Tips and Variations:
- If you want to add a kick of heat, you can sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes or finely chopped jalapeños on top of the corn.
- For an extra burst of flavor, you can also try adding some crumbled feta cheese or grated Parmesan cheese to the corn.
Garlic Parmesan Grilled Corn
Garlic and Parmesan are a classic combination that can elevate any dish, including grilled corn. The savory flavors of garlic and cheese complement the sweetness of the corn perfectly. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Salt
- Butter
- Minced garlic
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Season the corn with salt.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- While the corn is grilling, melt butter in a small saucepan and add minced garlic to it.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and brush it generously with the garlic butter.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese all over the corn.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful flavors of garlic and Parmesan!
Tips and Variations:
- If you’re a fan of herbs, you can also add some finely chopped fresh parsley or basil to the garlic butter mixture for extra aroma and freshness.
- For a cheesier option, you can wrap the cooked corn in aluminum foil with the garlic butter and Parmesan cheese, and place it back on the grill for a few more minutes until the cheese melts.
Asian-Inspired Grilled Corn
If you’re looking to give your grilled corn a unique twist, try this Asian-inspired recipe. The combination of soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil adds an irresistible umami flavor to the corn. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Minced ginger
- Chopped green onions
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill.
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced ginger together.
- Brush the soy sauce mixture all over the corn.
- Sprinkle chopped green onions on top of the corn.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the Asian-inspired flavors!
Tips and Variations:
- If you like it spicy, you can add some sriracha sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to the soy sauce mixture.
- For added texture and crunch, you can sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top of the corn.
Grilled Corn Salad
If you’re looking for a refreshing and light side dish to accompany your grilled meats, grilled corn salad is the perfect choice. Packed with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing, this salad is both nutritious and delicious. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Cucumber, chopped
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, torn
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it cool slightly.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the cob and transfer them to a large bowl.
- Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and torn basil leaves to the bowl with the corn kernels.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the corn salad and toss to combine.
- Let the salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve at room temperature and enjoy the refreshing grilled corn salad!
Tips and Variations:
- Feel free to customize the salad by adding other vegetables or herbs that you prefer, such as bell peppers, avocado, or cilantro.
- If you want to add a protein element to the salad, you can toss in some cooked and cooled shrimp, sliced grilled chicken, or crumbled feta cheese.
Sweet and Spicy Grilled Corn Salsa
Last but not least, sweet and spicy grilled corn salsa is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a dip, a topping, or even a standalone side dish. The combination of sweet corn, spicy jalapeños, and tangy lime juice creates a burst of flavors in every bite. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- Fresh corn on the cob
- Red onion, finely diced
- Jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- Red bell pepper, finely diced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred.
- Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it cool slightly.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the cob and transfer them to a medium bowl.
- Add finely diced red onion, jalapeño, red bell pepper, and chopped fresh cilantro to the bowl with the corn kernels.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the salsa and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss everything together until well combined.
- Let the salsa sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve as a dip with tortilla chips, as a topping for grilled meats or tacos, or as a side dish to complement your summer BBQ.
Tips and Variations:
- For a smoky twist, you can grill the jalapeño and red bell pepper along with the corn before dicing them for the salsa.
- If you want to add some sweetness to the salsa, you can also toss in some diced mango or pineapple.
In conclusion, grilled corn is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you prefer classic, spicy, cheesy, or exotic flavors, there’s a grilled corn recipe for everyone. So fire up your grill and start experimenting with these mouthwatering recipes to elevate your summer BBQs to a whole new level. Happy grilling!