How To Remove The Husks From Corn
Cut off the stalk end about one inch up from the last row of kernels. Then, pull the husks off towards the trimmed stalk end. This should come away fairly easily, but you may encounter some stubbornness as you go.
With the husks removed, follow up by also removing the cornsilk layer that sits between the husk and kernels. It can burn away when grilled, so dont worry if you cant remove every single remaining strand.
With the husk and cornsilk removed, rinse each ear of corn under cold water to remove any residue or dirt.
The Best Tips For Making Grilled Sweet Corn
How do you tell if corn on the cob is done on the grill? You can know that the corn is ready to remove from the grill when the husk begins to darken, and the kernels turn a brilliant bright yellow color and look plump. Carefully pierce a kernel with a paring knife finished corn should be tender and pierce easily.
Do you have to soak corn on the cob in cold water before grilling? Many recipes call for soaking corn on the cob in cold water first before grilling. I find that there is no need for this added step when using just-picked fresh sweet corn.
How do you get grill marks on the ears of corn? To get grill marks, remove a few more outer husks on the corn and place corn on hot grill grates. Removing more of the husks creates less of a barrier between the corn and the coals.
Is it better to grill corn in the husk? Leaving the husks of the corn on the cobs protects the corn from the grills heat and helps to steam the corn to juicy tenderness.
Can you grill corn with silk on? Yes, you can grill corn with the silk on. I find it easier to remove the silks before grilling, but you can remove them after grilling if one chooses to leave them on.
Should I Soak Corn Before Grilling
While brining corn in water and salt can help moisture retention in some cases, we are grilling hot and fast for only 10 minutes so theres no real need. In this time, we want the natural sugars in the corn to caramelize, and any added water will impede this process.
Some people claim that soaking can help reduce cooking time by up to 30%. This might be true, but our grilling time is so short that a saving of 3 minutes isnt worth the loss of the nutty and sweet flavor were aiming for with your recipe.
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How To Grill Corn In Foil
If you prefer, you can also grill corn in foil instead of the husk. Place each ear of husked corn on a 12-inch square piece of heavy-duty foil . Top with a pat of butter and a standard-size ice cube. Wrap each ear tightly and grill over hot coals for 15-20 minutes. Try this spiced grilled corn recipe if you want a recipe that adds some flavor.
Grilled Corn On The Cob In Husk

Grilling corn in the husk takes a bit longer because you have to soak it, but it cooks more evenly.
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Unwrap And Butter The Corn Cobs Then Re
Brine Those Ears Of Corn Like You Would A Turkey For Thanksgiving
This step is essential in my opinion for cooking corn in the husk on the grill. Not only does the soak in water hydrate the husks and ensure they don’t fizzle up as soon as they hit the grill. But, the salt in the equation actually adds to the flavor too.
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What Is The Corn Husks For Tamales
Corn husks are the protective covering that surrounds an ear of corn. They are dried and used to make tamales or to encapsulate meals that will be cooked in a steamer. The use of corn husks in the preparation of tamales helps to keep the tamales together and prevents them from drying out. While the tamales are cooking, the maize husks enable the steam to pass through.
How To Grill Corn On The Cob Without Husk
When Im grilling corn on the cob without the husk I usually dont soak my corn either. In this method Im trying to get it done fast but still have that awesome grilled taste!
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What To Serve With Grilled Corn
- Chicken Kabobs Juicy chicken and colorful vegetables threaded onto skewers and grilled to perfection! The easy Greek marinade gives them irresistible Mediterranean flavor.
- Grilled Chicken Fajitas in Foil An easy, healthy recipe for perfectly seasoned Grilled Chicken Fajitas in Foil Packets. Foolproof and perfect for fast, healthy dinners and summer cookouts.
- Grilled Salmon in Foil How to make Grilled Salmon in Foil. Easy step-by-step for PERFECT, flaky salmon every time. Tips for how to know when salmon is finished and flavor ideas!
- How To Make Taco Salad Healthy Taco Salad with ground turkey, black beans, avocado, and Greek yogurt salsa dressing. An easy, delicious, low-carb recipe.
Why To Use Shucked Corn
Some people swear by cooking microwave corn on the cob in the husk. However, here are some advantages to husked corn:
- You can eat it right away. No need to wait for it to cool, then pull of the husk and silks.
- Theres not a significant difference after its cooked. Make it with good corn, and you wont be able to tell the difference.
- Some corn comes already shucked. You might have bought it shucked at the grocery store: so its nice to have a method that works for both.
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How To Grill Corn Perfectly Every Time
To grill the corn on a backyard BBQ, simply place the corn cob husks directly on hot grill gratesabout 450°F to 500°F. Keep the corn in its husks to steam, close the grill cover, and turn the cobs with tongs every five minutes or so.
When the grilled sweet corn is finished cooking, the husks should have a good char but they shouldnt be totally black.
After grilling, peel back the husks, remove the silk, and enjoy with basic butter and season with salt, or go a bit more gourmet with one of my favorite infused compound butters.
How Do You Grill Corn On The Cob Without Husks

Corn on the cob can be grilled without the husks in two different ways. First, you can grill the corn directly on the grill grates. This results in a drier corn on the cob with a lot of smoky, grilled flavor. The sugar caramelizes in the corn caramelizes a bit more when grilled directly on grill grate, giving it a unique flavor. Second, you can grill your corn on the cob in foil. This traps steam in and creates a moist corn on the cob experience, but doesnt get as much of the smoky, grilled flavor.
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Corn Grilled In Aluminum Foil:
Pull all the husks off of the corn and discard. Remove silk on the corn and discard.
There are two schools of thought on soaking the corn. Some people like to soak their corn before grilling and others do not soak it. This will be your choice.
If you decide to soak, place the whole cobs in a pot of cold water for approximately 20 minutes. Be sure the ears are completely covered with water . This will provide extra moisture for cooking and will steam the corn kernels inside the aluminum foil.
If you do not soak the corn, just wrap in aluminum foil according to instruction below.
Preheat the barbecue grill to a medium temperature .
If you have soaked your corn, remove the corn from the water and shake off any excess water.
Brush the kernels with olive oil. NOTE: I have tried using butter instead of olive oil, but I think butter is best appliedafter the corn comes off the grill just before you eat it.
Before you wrap the corn in the aluminum foil, add a little garlic, chopped onion, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. For an international twist, try using herbs such as basil, cilantro, or oregano.
Tear off squares of aluminum foil and place ears of corn diagonally in the center of each square of aluminum foil. Roll the aluminum foil around each ear of corn and close it up by twisting the ends.
Place the prepare ears of corn on a medium heat grill, rotating the corn every so often.
Remove the corn from the grill. Be careful and wear oven mitts as the corn will be very hot!
How Do You Grill Corn On The Cob With The Husks
Grilling corn in its husks is a more unique method of grilling, but it is definitely worth trying and a good grilling idea. It is quick, easy, and most importantly delicious, providing a beautifully sweet, moist taste.
This newer method of grilling corn requires a little more know-how than grilling corn without husks, so let us take you through the process.
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Do You Leave Husks On Corn When Grilling
With the husks still attached! The husks on the corn cobs prevent the corn from being exposed to direct heat from the grill, which helps to steam the corn until it is soft. This is in contrast to grilling the corn raw, boiling, or blanching the corn. The following are 5 simple ways to successfully grill corn on the cob with husks so that you may dominate those summer BBQs all season long.
How To Grill Corn On The Cob In The Husk
Melissa Ray Davis is a freelance writer and photographer who enjoys writing about DIY topics, including cooking.
Ears of corn wrapped in their husks and ready to grill.
Corn on the cob is a summer favorite, and this method of grilling corn on the cob in the husk gives you moist, buttery cornjust add some perfect, simple spices and a smokey taste. This would be a perfect side dish for a summer grilling party or a holiday like the Fourth of July.
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Who Shucks The Corn In Your Household
- My hubs does ours. Thats why you see silk in the photos. I cook, he preps. Apparently I need to have a word with him about his prep skills.
Steps to a perfect soak:
Use a large roasting pan. Fill with water. Season the water generously with salt!
Pop a rack over top of the corn. It helps keep them submerged which is how I prefer to soak mine.
Then pop something a tad heavy to hold the rack down. Its not pretty but I use my dishwasher jar for it. Its always on the counter neat the sink so I usually end up grabbing it. Glamorous right!
Soak for about an hour. If you only have 10 or 15 minutes thats okay. But for me and hour is perfection. I can prep other foods and get the grill preheated perfectly.
After an hour, remove, rinse and shake off excess water.
Drain the water from the roasting pan and give it a good wipe. Then pop the corn back in the pan to walk it out to the grill. Less dishes, thats using your noggin!
Cook according the recipe and you end up with this! Gorgeous right!
Enjoy with lots of compound butter and salt. My fave way to eat corn on the cob!
Places to stalk Kiss my Smoke!
*Did you make this amazing recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
An Easy Quick Way To Make Grilled Corn On The Cob With Four Delicious Toppings
Its not really summer until were in the backyard, icy cold beer in hand, cooking corn on the grill! Standing there in the warm sun, surrounded by friends or family, a nice breeze blowing, flipping burgers and grilling corn in the huskwhat could be easier or more peak-summer?! Not a thing. Its a feeling as sweet as midsummer sweet corn itself! Well walk you through just how easy it is to make the best grilled corn ever, and a few of our favorite quick toppings to serve it with .
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Grilling Corn Without The Husk
For those who want more char, shucking the corn first is the only way to go.
You dont need to stress about peeling off every last clingy filament of silk, since itll mostly burn off anyway, and you dont need to season the corn first, although you can if you like. Just slick it with a bit of oil or melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Stripped-bare corn cobs can be placed on the grate directly over medium to high heat too. Turn them periodically to get relatively even char on all sides, and they should be done in 10 minutes. If you didnt season them first, roll them in butter and spices hot off the grill, and bite into a perfectly juicy taste of summer.
You could grill your corn in the husk, then peel it back and put the ears on again for another few minutes to pick up some smoke and color, but thats complicating matters without much result.
How We Serve Our Corn On The Cob

There are many ways in which you can serve your corn on the cob. Everybody has different flavors and tastes they enjoy. Here are some of ours. Feel free to give some of them a try.
- Butter, salt, and pepper Sometimes traditional flavors are perfect.
- Butter and cajun seasoning Add a rustic blend of spices to your corn.
- Roasted jalapeno cream sauce If you want something fresh and spicy why not give this sauce a try.
- Corn relish Slicing your grilled corn and putting it in a corn relish goes excellently with fish dishes.
- Pizza topping Fresh smokey corn makes a lovely topping on a gourmet pizza or Caprese flatbread.
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What Is The Best Way To Cook Corn On The Cob
There is no best way, cooking corn on the cob is pretty simple and quick and most methods produce an great result. You can try boiling corn on the cob, steaming baking or grilling.
Boiling is the fastest and easiest method, with the least effort involved. All you do is boil the corn on the stove top. For the ultimate guide how to do it, chick this post out.
Grilling corn without the husks while this method works most of the time, the final result is often dry and chewy corn.
Another method is grilling corn on the cob in foil one of my favorite methods, producing nice and soft perfectly cooked corn.! For a detailed guide, check this post out.
And grilling corn on the cob with the husk is a third method, where husk acts just like foil is one of my favorite methods, no need to use foil and the flavor is slightly charred, this corn tastes amazing! This charred corn is the perfect addition to tacos, salads and grain bowls .
Do You Have To Soak Corn On The Cob Before Grilling
Yes and No. Some people like to brine or soak their corn for at least 10 minutes before grilling. This creates a steaming effect as you grill the corn. However, you dont have to soak the corn if you dont want to or dont have time. You can go from grill to mouth as quickly as possible. Just shuck the corn completely and then place it right on the grill to cook and get those beautiful char marks. Either way, grilled corn takes about 15-20 minutes.
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