Grilled Corn on the Cob

Boiled corn on the cob is one of our go-to summer sides all season long, but we can't deny it: something extra special happens when you throw corn on the grill. The sweetness and crunch that comes from the sweet summer corn complemented by a bit of smokey char? It's truly unbeatable. But, before you can get to that first bite, there's a few things you need to know. Read on for all of our top tips on how to make this BBQ side the best it can be: 

How to choose the best corn on the cob:
When buying corn on the cob, the easiest way to find the best ears is to peel back the husks a bit to peek at the kernels. However, you definitely can’t fully shuck 20 ears of corn at the grocery store when you plan to buy five. To find the best ears of corn, use your senses:
— Look for ears with tight green husks and golden brown, slightly sticky tassels (that’s the hairy bit up top). This indicates a fresher, sweeter, juicier corn.
— Avoid brownish crackly husks and dry or black tassels—this is usually a sign that the corn is going past its prime and has started to dry up a bit.
— Feel the ear for plump kernels, skipping those with holes where kernels didn’t grow.   

Grilling with husks vs no husks.  
If you want, you can grill corn with the husks still on: this will help trap some of the moisture and give you a half-steamed, half-grilled cooking process. But first, peel back the husk to expose the corn without detaching them completely and remove as much of the silk as you can. Season the corn with salt and pepper, plus a slick of butter or oil, then pull the husks back over the corn and plop them on the grill. This will protect the corn kernels from the hot iron grills and help them steam a bit while they’re grilling, making them even more tender. 

On the other hand, if you want to go from grill to mouth as quickly as possible, go ahead and shuck the corn completely before throwing them on the heat. Brush on the butter and seasoning after they're fully cooked to ensure the butter doesn't just melt straight off into the grill.  

Flavored butters and toppings for grilled corn. 
Although this grilled side is perfectly delish with just some butter, salt, and pepper, feel free to go wild with your corn on the cob toppings! Buffalo, cheddar bacon ranch, or flamin' hot are all great options, or smear on some homemade honey-lime butter (one of our favorites). For more inspo, watch our video above to see even more topping options!

Freezing corn.
If you're looking to freeze your corn, make sure to check out our guide on how to do so. Hint: You're going to want to shave off the kernels first.

If you've made this recipe, rate it and let us know how you like it in the comments below!