How To Grill Corn On The Cob In Foil
Forget the husks and find out How to Grill Corn on the Cob in Foil. It’s easier to season, the corn simmers in a *pool of butter* on the grill, and the kernels get nice and toasty.
This is The Best Way to Grill Corn On The Cob!
While I’ve given you a recipe for making boiled corn on the cob the very best it can be, the truth is that we almost always make corn on the cob on the grill. We’ve been perfecting this technique for 10 years.
Since we usually already have the grill turned on for whatever meat we’re grilling as our entree that night, it doesn’t really make sense to also use the stove and bring a huge pot of water to a boil.
We actually prefer the corn to be grilled. Not only does the corn simmer in a pool of butter while it cooks, but it gets some lightly golden brown crispy charred kernels that are just A+ good eats.
Why You Should Grill Corn
- Grilling brings out the natural sweetness of the corn and the golden brown kernels are irresistible.
- Wrapping the corn in foil allows it to simmer in a pool of butter. Like yes, we want a pool of butter for our corn.
- Easy cleanup! Throw the foil away and you’re done.
What You’ll Need To Grill Corn
- corn – you want the best fresh corn you can find, then you’ll need to shuck (peel) it and remove all of the corn silk.
- unsalted butter – needs to be at room temperature before you slather it all over the corn!
- kosher salt – seasons and helps bring out the natural sweetness of the corn.
- ground black pepper – adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.
- aluminum foil – not an ingredient, but you’ll need this! I don’t bother buying the heavy duty/grilling foil. Just the regular stuff works fine.
How To Grill Corn On The Cob In Foil
1. PREP. Preheat the grill and tear a square of foil for each piece of corn.
2. BUTTER AND SEASON. Place one ear of corn on each square of foil and rub it all over with butter. Then, liberally sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
3. WRAP. Place each ear of corn at one edge of the foil and roll the foil up around the ear until it is enclosed. Twist both ends of the foil packets closed.
4. GRILL. Transfer the corn to the hot grill grates and cook until you can hear butter inside the packets sizzling, and the outside of the packets start to get light brown grill marks. Flip and rotate the corn every few minutes while it’s grilling.
5. SERVE. Use tongs to rip one end of each foil packet off, then slide the corn out of the open end and onto a serving platter.
How Long To Cook Corn On The Cob On The Grill
Timing is key when grilling corn. Exact timing depends on the corn and your desired level of tenderness, but I’ve found that grilling the corn for 12 to 16 minutes usually results in tender corn with some kernels with a bit of light char that are super delicious.
If you start to hear the corn pop, or anything is beginning to smell burnt, remove the corn from the grill immediately.
Home Chef Tips For Making Grilled Corn On The Cob In Foil
- This recipe was created for 4 ears of corn, but it’s easy to adjust it up or down depending on how many servings you want.
- I’ve tried my best to measure the amount of salt and pepper that I use for 4 ears, but it all depends on the size of the ears of corn! Use your best judgement, and know that you may not need all of the salt and pepper that is called for. Or you may need more.
- Feel free to add a bit of minced garlic, lime juice, paprika and/or chili powder to the corn packets if you’re into that sort of thing!
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What To Serve With Grilled Corn On The Cob In Foil
Grilled corn on the cob is super versatile and can become an ingredient in a larger recipe, or be served with a variety of bbq entrees and other side dishes. Some ideas include:
- Keep it classic by serving grilled corn on the cob with a hefty smear of butter (highly recommend my Homemade Butter Recipe) and a shower of salt and pepper.
- Use this corn recipe (cut off the cob!) as the starting point for a grilled corn salad or Mexican Street Corn Salad with cotija cheese, cilantro and mayo. No need to roast the corn, as it’s already cooked.
- Serve it as part of a complete summer meal along with a burger or Greek Marinated Chicken and Dr. Pepper Baked Beans.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a judgement call, but I’ve round that grilling with the corn husks off allows for easier seasoning and butter application. Wrapping the corn in foil offers a similar protective layer, but makes it simpler to handle and season.
Grilling corn in the foil helps ensure even cooking and prevents the corn from drying out, so I think grilling it in foil is better.
Soaking corn before grilling is optional but not necessary. Soaking can help prevent the corn from drying out if you are grilling it directly, without foil. But because the foil helps retain moisture, soaking isn’t necessary with the method below.
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Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil
Ingredients
- Aluminum foil
- 4 ears sweet corn shucked, with all silk removed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt total, for 4 ears of corn
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper total, for 4 ears of corn
Instructions
- Preheat grill for direct grilling over medium heat (400 to 450 degrees F). Tear four 12×12-inch squares of foil from roll and place on work surface.
- Place 1 ear of corn on each foil square. Rub each ear of corn all over with butter and liberally sprinkle all over with salt and pepper to your taste (you may not need all the salt and pepper called for).
- Place each ear of corn at one edge of foil and roll foil around corn. Twist both ends of foil packets closed.
- Transfer foil wrapped corn to grill and cook 12 to 16 minutes, flipping and rotating the corn every 3 to 4 minutes. You will know the corn is done when you can hear sizzling butter inside the packets and you start to see light brown grill marks on the outside of the foil. If you start to hear the corn pop, or anything is beginning to smell burnt, remove corn from grill immediately.
- Carefully use tongs to rip one end of each foil packet off, then use tongs to slide corn out of the open end and onto a serving platter.
