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Charred Corn on the Cob is our absolute favorite way to cook summer sweet corn! Grilled to perfection in just 10 minutes and topped simply with butter and salt. The most beloved of the seasonal summer ingredients, charred sweet corn is the easiest side dish for grill season!
It's summertime, and that means firing up the grill several times a week, watermelon as our primary fruit group, and all the sweet corn we can eat! With the grill going anyway, popping corn on the cob to char and blacken is the easiest and most delicious way to cook it!
Enlist the kids to help! They love shucking the corn, and are much more careful than I am at removing the silk! Save an extra ear to make this Salmon Zucchini Orzo Pasta, Peach Corn Salsa, or this Mango Corn Salsa!
This blackened corn on the cob is the perfect side dish for barbecue chicken, Honey Mustard Dry Rub Ribs, Grilled Steak Fajita Tacos and Grilled Split Italian Sausages with Giardiniera!
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Ingredients
- Corn on the Cob - It's one of the only truly seasonal ingredients left! You can get almost any ingredient year round at the grocery store these days, but not summer sweet corn! Try to buy it local, from the back of a truck or a farm stand is best!
- Butter and Salt - Summer blackened corn is often so sweet and flavorful, you can eat it straight from the grill! We like to slather it with a bit of butter and salt before eating.
Instructions
This is the easiest way to cook corn on the cob and the extra charred flavor is delicious!
Step 1 - Preheat and outdoor grill and remove the husk and silk from the corn on the cob.
Cook over high heat. As it starts to slightly blacken, turn it with tongs until all sides are evenly charred, about 10 minutes. Other food can be cooked at the same time!
Step 2 - When it's hot from the grill, rub the charred corn on the cob with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt and serve!
What to Serve with Charred Corn on the Cob
Side Dish - Charred sweet corn makes the perfect easy side dish for any grilled dinner! Serve it with burgers, brats, hotdogs or Grilled Steak Kabobs, grilled chicken or Honey Mustard Dry Rub Ribs!
Round out the meal with these other favorite grilling side dishes:
- Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
- Green Bean Salad with Tomato and Feta
- Tomato Feta White Bean Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Avocado Bean Dip
- Simple Blanched Garden Green Beans
Taco Topping - Grilled charred corn is also an amazing addition to taco night! You can slice it off the cob and use it as a topping for nachos, burritos or taco salad. Mix it with black beans or into Cherry Tomato Pico de Gallo for a salsa variation. Try it with these Grilled Steak Fajita Tacos and add a side of Guacamole!
Salad Topping - Slice the blackened corn off the cob and add it to salads like this Chopped Dinner Salad with Roasted Potatoes. This is also a great way to use up leftover corn, it can be added cold to any summer salad.
Recipe Tips
- Keep an eye on the corn as it grills and turn it as you go. It's done when it looks done! Keep the grill covered except when you are flipping the corn.
- You can make this recipe with any amount of corn on the cob. You can even grill extra, slice it off the cob and freeze it for winter!
- Don't overcook! You don't want to walk away, corn on the cob cooks up pretty fast and the kernels will dry out and lose their juicy bite if you overcook them. So just until they are lightly charred, then flip and do the other side. If your grill is hot, it shouldn't take more than 10 mintues.
- Season the corn when it's hot off the grill! Butter it right away and sprinkle with salt, the heat will ensure it adheres! You can add any seasoning you like including black pepper, Parmesan cheese, chopped herbs, or slather it with mayo, chili powder, lime juice, and cotija cheese for street corn!
- Store leftover corn in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave, or slice if off the cob and use it cold in salads or as a topping for tacos!
Recipe FAQs
No, you can add raw shucked corn directly to the grill. It will char and blacken and cook through without needing to boil it first.
Yes! To char corn on the cob without a grill, use a cast iron skillet or a grill pan. Preheat the skillet over medium high heat, add a bit of olive oil, and char it in the pan. You can also cook corn on the cob on a sheet pan in the oven under the broiler. Watch it carefully and turn it with tongs as it cooks.
Yes! Remove the husks and silk from corn on the cob and preheat an outdoor grill. Grill the corn, keeping the cover mostly closed, but rotating the corn with tongs so it evenly chars, about 10 minutes.
More Essential Recipes for Summer!
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Easy Charred Corn on the Cob
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Print Pin RateEquipment
- outdoor grill
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn on the cob any amount, 1 per person
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Remove husks and silk from corn on the cob.
- Cook corn on the cob on an outdoor grill over high heat, turning with tongs as they char and slightly blacken on all sides, about 10 minutes.
- Rub with butter when hot from the grill and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Keep an eye on the corn as it grills and turn it as you go. It's done when it is just lightly blackened, but don't overcook or the kernels will be dry! Keep the grill covered except when you are flipping the corn.
- Blackened Corn can be sliced off the cob and used in salads or tacos.
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