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How to BBQ Corn on the Cob – 3 Grilling Methods

How to BBQ Corn on the Cob – 3 Grilling Methods

Last Updated on 16th May 2022 by

Corn is one of the staple treats during the warm summertime. It is a great and effortless BBQ side dish, and it goes great with hamburgers, ribs, salmon, and beans too! It is the most reasonable and budget-friendly choice of summer vegetable that is best prepared on the grill.

How to Grill Corn

There are a few ways how to BBQ corn ̶ with the husk on, directly on the grill or charcoal, or wrapped in a foil. You may BBQ it on a charcoal grill or electric griller.

How long does it take to BBQ corn? Well, the length of time to grill corn on the cob depends on the grilling method you choose and how hot your grill is.

Typically, you grill the corn until it’s perfectly tender, occasionally turning, somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes.

Here is a little trick to great grilled corn. You cook it long enough to get a char, but not so long that the kernels end up juiceless and dry. Don’t overcook your corn.

Don’t forget always to let the corn cool for a minute or two before you eat it!

How to Cook Corn on the Cob on the BBQ

Cooking corn on the cob can be done in three deliciously easy ways. So, how long do you bbq corn on the cob? This is very dependent on how hot your grill is and whether you’re cooking it on the hot spot or the excellent spot. Roughly, it will take you about 20-30 minutes or so to grill your corn to perfection.

But regardless of the method you prefer to have your corn cooked on the bbq, always start by preheating your grill to medium heat and lightly oiling the grill grates. The combination of oil and medium heat will protect it from charring.

Now let’s get grilling!

How to Grill Corn on the Cob in the Husk 

The first way how to bbq corn in the husk is by soaking the corn on a plate of water. If you want to remove the silk before grilling, husk the corn by grabbing the leafy part at the opposite end of the stem and just pull it apart but don’t remove the husk. Doing so will expose the kennels. This can get a bit messy, though. You may do it over the sink or the garbage can. Then, pull off the silk and smooth the husk back up.

Grilling corn in its husk will help keep in moisture, giving you a juicier and plumper ear of corn. On the outside, the husk will char completely. The tender kennels will steam perfectly, and the silk will come off cleanly. Easy peasy.

How long to bbq corn in the husk, you ask? Again, it depends. But a good 20-30 minutes of total cooking time should be safe. You are now ready to pull the corn ears off the grill!

How to Grill Corn on the Cob in Foil

Another way of grilling corn is wrapping the corn ear in an aluminum foil. This method may take more prep time than the other two, but it is also a great way of involving kids, especially when you are outdoors. Ask them to help remove the husk and the silk from the corn ear.

How to bbq corn on the cob in foil? It’s pretty simple. With the husk and silk gone, take an aluminum foil and wrap the corn up like a burrito. Smear the cob with butter, herbs, or salt before wrapping if you wish to. You may also cover the corn with bacon before placing it inside the foil. This takes a bit more time to cook, but definitely worth the wait!

How long does it take to bbq corn in foil? It takes just the same amount of time when grilling the corn on the cob with its husk on. The best part of this? The aluminum foil helps keep the corn warmer and more prolonged, especially if you’re cooking for a crowd.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob without the Husk

The third way is grilling the cob naked. This is how to cook corn on the cob on bbq. First, remove the husk and silk, and then lay your cob directly on the grill grates. Turn each ear of the corn so it can get evenly charred on all sides.

It gives it a distinctive grill and char texture and flavor by grilling your corn naked. The simplicity of grilling corn on its birthday suit enhances the sweetness and brings out the authentic taste of corn.

To make it more flavorful, you are welcome to add any seasoning you like. You can coat the corn with a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and smoked paprika before serving to give it a Mexican-style finish. Or, you may brush it with unsalted butter, add some garlic, and bbq rub while it’s on the bbq.

How long is the cooking time for this method? The corn will cook a bit quicker because it is not protected by a husk or a sheet of aluminum foil. So, watch it closely and turn it frequently!

How to Tell When the Corn Is Cooked

Remember, raw corn is pale yellow, and the kernels are hard. Cooked corn kernels turn bright yellow when cooked and are tender when pierced with a knife. To see if the corn is already cooked. However, you choose to cook it on bbq, grab a toothpick and poke at each in the kennels. The corn is ready to eat if you can puncture the kennel with ease.

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I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!