What Are Some Main Dishes To Serve With Grilled Corn In Foil
Oh gosh, the possibilities are truly endless here, but since corn is quite starchy, we love to pair it with some of our favorite grilled proteins such as grilled chicken wings, grilled fish, or grilled pork chops. And while you have the grill heated up, take your side salad to the next level and add some grilled pineapple.
Top Tips For Grilling Corn On The Cob
- Always start with the freshest corn possible. As soon as corn is picked off the stalk, it starts to lose its natural sugars and convert them to starch. So, a cob picked the same morning you are going to grill will be sweeter than a cob picked a day or two before. The best way to guarantee fresh corn is to pick up a few ears from your local farmers market or farm stand. Look for husks that are tightly wrapped and green. Get more tips for choosing the best ear of corn.
- To soak or not to soak, that is the question. Some folks believe you can get a little extra steam power by soaking corn in water for 15 minutes before grilling.
- Want that grilled corn flavor but don’t want to gnaw the cob? No problem! After grilling your cob, hold it vertically over a plate or bowl with the pointed end down, and use a small, sharp knife to scrape the kernels from the cob. Serve it as is or toss it into a grilled corn salad.
Related: 5 Mistakes You’re Making With Corn on the Cob
Recipe Tips And Notes
- I dont melt my butter to brush it onto the corn. I just throw the whole knob into the wrapped corn. Because Im constantly turning the wrapped corn, the butter will melt and move around inside.
- You can place a couple of corn inside of one large sheet of tin foil if you prefer but I find it more difficult to flip.
- Feel free to season this however youd like. Try garlic powder, onion powder, taco seasoning, Tajin, paprika, and more. You can even add in some herbs.
- Extra corn? Use it in my Korean Corn Cheese, Japanese Corn Rice, or Sautéed Corn and Shallots.
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The Best Way To Grill Corn
Fresh corn is best grilled in foil packets, and were fans of this method for making it. A grilled corn in foil packet is a delicious side dish that everyone enjoys, and it goes well with any dish that requires grilling. Cleaning your home with this product is also simple. How do you grill corn without foil? Grilling delicious cob corn on cob is an excellent preparation that can be done directly on the grill. When foil and no husk are used, the flavor is smoky and charred. Does grilling with or without aluminum foil is better? Brushing the grates with foil will not do anything to the grate. It creates a fire hazard by limiting the amount of air in the grill. Grill grates that are lined with aluminum foil will not drain naturally due to the juices and fat that will be produced.
How Can You Get Char Marks On Corn When Grilling With Foil
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As Riley says, grilling corn with foil basically duplicates a steaming process. But, for many corn connoisseurs, the magic of grilled corn comes from the dark char marks and the corresponding smoky flavor. According to Riley, you can get both the tenderness of the foil “steamed” corn and the “barbecue” quality of direct grilling by using a two-pronged approach. “To utilize both methods, I would suggest using an open flame. char your corn directly over an open flame first to get the color, and then cool it immediately. The heat source needs to be extremely hot, or else the corn will cook too much in the charring process, which would negate needing the foil method. You’re only trying to get some color on the outside, and finish the actual cooking process in the foil,” Riley explains.
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How To Grill Corn On The Cob
How To Store Leftovers:
Refrigerate the leftovers in air tight container for up to 1 week. You can also remove the kennels from the cob and refrigerate the kennels or freeze them for a future meal.
These are some of our favorite ways to use leftover corn kernels:
- Add it in Corn Bread
- Make Roasted Corn Salsa
- 7 Ways to Use Leftover Grilled Corn
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Season The Ears Of Corn
Place the cobs in a shallow dish and coat all sides of the ears with olive oil. Then sprinkle the dry rub over the top, coating all sides. Wrap individually in heavy-duty foil with space around the cob. Seal the ends securely.
I like to add a pat of butter in each foil packet for extra flavor but its not necessary.
How Does Foil Affect The Corn
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To grill corn in foil, remove the husks and the silk from the corn cob. Next, rub the corn with your olive oil or butter, then season with salt and pepper. Loosely wrap the corn in foil and seal the ends. Use a fork to poke a few holes in the foil to allow for air circulation. Place the corn on a grill over medium-high heat, then cook until the corn turns bright yellow . Flip the foil-wrapped corn over on the grill every now and then to ensure an even cook.
Executive chef Brett Riley of Maya in Charleston, South Carolina tells us that a loose foil cocoon provides many benefits to grilled corn: “The foil will hold in any steam created by the corn itself and whatever else you put in there . You’re basically steaming the corn using your grill top as the heat source rather than grilling it directly on top. It can burn and dry out directly on the grill if you aren’t attentive to it, when using the foil, the corn won’t get ruined if you forget it for a few minutes extra.”
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Why Should I Use Foil When Grilling Corn
When you place shucked corn cobs straight on the grill, it cooks fast and developed lovely char marks. However, the direct heat tends to make the skin on the kernels tough. Theres something to be said about this more rustic version of corn on the cob I personally like it. However, most people prefer grilled corn to be tender.
Wrapping each corn cob in aluminum foil protects the corn from the direct heat. The corn steams and grills at the same time, so you get some char marks but end up with a much better texture and sweet corn flavor.
Grilled Corn On The Cob In Foil Recipe:
Grilled Corn in Foil is one of our favorite ways to enjoy corn. We have cooked corn on the cob with the husk on and even straight on the grill. But wrapping the corn in foil locks in the moisture making it the juiciest corn.
Corn on the cob is an easy side dish to serve. It doesnt take long to cook and the sweet, juicy flavor make it a crowd pleaser. Topping the corn with butter with the smoky grill flavor really makes for the best summer side dish.
The plump, tender kernels once the corn is cooked is why we love it so much. Wrapping the corn in foil keeps the corn from drying out. So there is no need to soak the corn in water beforehand.
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Fresh Corn Buying Guide
The best time to buy fresh corn is in the summer when its in season. Look for ears of corn that are bright green and have tight, dry husks.
Avoid ears of corn that have brown or discolored leaves, as this is a sign that the corn is past its prime.
To check if the corn is fresh, peel back the husk and look at the kernels. They should be plump and either milky white or vibrant in color. If theyre shriveled or have brown spots, put that ear of corn back and keep looking!
Grilling Corn In Foil
If youre looking for an even quicker way to grill corn, try grilling it in foil! This is a great method if youre feeding a crowd as it wont require flipping, and it cooks with the butter for easy serving.
To grill corn in foil, simply place the ears of corn on a large sheet of foil. Add butter, salt, and any other seasonings you like.
Then, fold up the foil so its sealed around the corn.
You can wrap the corn individually so guests can grab what they want or in groups of several ears.
When placed on the grill, the foil packet acts as a steamer, and the butter and seasoning will create their sauce.Place the foil packet on the grill, close it, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the kernels are cooked through.
To Test For Doneness Pull back the foil to look at the corn. The kernels should look plump similar to being boiled or steamed. You can also use a knife to pierce one of the kernels. If the knife slides right in, its ready! Give it a few more minutes on the grill if its still tough.
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Grilled Corn On The Cob Tips:
- I do not recommend using fresh garlic in place of the powder. Due to the cook time, the garlic may burn and become bitter.
- You dont have to use foil. Simply peel the corn, leaving the husks in place. Clean off the corn, apply the compound butter, and then re-wrap the corn in the husk. Now, grill the corn for 10-12 minutes on each side.
- My spice blend is simple and only consists of softened unsalted butter, sea salt, and freshly crack black peppercorns.
Is It Better To Grill Corn With Or Without Foil
The best flavor of grilled corn is a little char and caramelization, so simply shuck the corn and grill it. Because corn does not need to be protected by a husk or foil, it will cook more quickly keep an eye on it and turn it frequently.
Which is the best BBQ? A grilled cheese ? The goal of this experiment is to find out how to cook corn on the barbecue. Grill with foil or straight on the grill if it is wrapped. With the help of a few simple hacks, you can plan ahead and have a stress-free, enjoyable BBQ. If you are going to serve burgers in buns, cut the buns into half and toast them on the grill as soon as you touch them. It is simple to clean the grill after a BBQ if you clean it while it is still hot.
Fold a blanket over the chairs in each case to keep your family and friends warm if they start to feel uncomfortable. I loved the taste of the foil-cooked corn. Because of the smoky flavor from the BBQ and the little nutty kernels, the corn had a fantastic flavor. If you prefer it bare, you can cook it in a pot rather than foil and place it on the grill. In the future, I will serve naked corn on the grill for my husband and I because I like how you cook it. Smoke Red Pepper, a spicy red pepper sauce, and a Chipotle bean burger. Smoky red peppers, cheese, and bean burgers are an easy, tasty addition to a salad and served piled high on a bun.
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Season And Prep Your Corn
While your grill is preheating, lets start seasoning!
Super easy and simple. The best way to season the corn before you grill is to rip or cut a piece of foil thats about 2 and ½ times the size of the cob.
Lay each cob on its own foil and then take your seasonings and butter or herbs and coat the corn with all the ingredients.
The Juiciest Grilled Corn On The Cob In Foil
Theres something satisfying about cooking your food in the outdoors, isnt there? And being from the Midwest, we take every opportunity to enjoy the warmer weather while it lasts. Which is why youll find us grilling corn in foil on a weekly basis in the summer. With its quick prep and big flavors, its a no brainer to add as a side dish to all our summer grilled favorites turkey burgers, grilled steak, and grilled salmon.
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Other Seasonings To Put On Grilled Corn On The Cob:
Changing the seasonings is a great way to make different flavor combinations. This is the perfect side dish to serve at any backyard bbq gatherings all summer. It is a great option and there is not the best corn recipe but any of these are a great option. Mexican street corn toppings are amazing on grilled corn kernels.
Using A Grill Pan Or The Stovetop
If its not grilling weather outside, you can still enjoy grilled corn on the cob using a grill pan. Preheat the pan to high, oiling it slightly, then cook the corn on each side until lightly charred and tender .
Alternatively, you could even cook an ear of corn over the direct flame of a gas stovetop. Use medium-high heat and turn it until its charred on all sides . Using this method, be careful not to stand too close, as the corn will sizzle and pop slightly, spitting juice as it cooks.
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Can I Grill Corn In The Husk
Yes! Corn on the cob can be grilled in the husk. An optional step is to peel back the husk and remove the silk strands from the cob, but you can also grill the cobs without removing the silk. To keep the husk from burning or catching fire, its a good idea to soak your corn for 15 minutes to 1 hour before grilling.
How Long Do You Grill Corn In Foil
The general rule of thumb is to grill the corn on medium indirect heat, turning it over every few minutes to cook evenly.
Typically, it takes about 15 minutes for the corn to be fully cooked and ready to eat for a juicy, plump, and snappy corn on the cob.
However, if youre looking for an ear of more charred corn, we recommend another way below.
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Why Make Grilled On The Cob In Foil
We might be biased but grilling corn in foil is the best way to do it. Why?
Cooks perfectly: the foil pack helps seal in heat and moisture, making sure the entire cob of corn cooks evenly and perfectly.
Infuses with flavor: our recipe is made with a yummy garlic butter. The foil allows the corn to cook in the buttery goodness the entire time.
Ready in 30 minutes: youve got the perfect summer side ready in 30 minutes.
Is It Better To Grill Corn In Foil Or Not
There really is not wrong way to enjoy corn on the cob. It depends on your preference rather you want to grill the corn with the foil on or leave it out.
- Grilling Corn directly on the Grill When you grill the corn without foil or the husk on, the grill will give the kernels a charred flavored taste. You may find that it isnt as juicy as there is no protection from the husk or the foil. But it does cook faster, so you will need to watch it closely.
- Grilling Corn with Foil Placing corn on the cob in foil helps to lock in the moisture. You do miss out on the charred kernels, but you still get the smoky flavor. When preparing your corn in the foil, you can add different types of seasoning that cooks directly into the corn.
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Grilled Corn On The Cob In Foil
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: May 24, 2022 by Dee
Grilled Corn on the Cobin Foil is the best way to grill fresh corn and our favorite way to make it! Grilled corn in foil packets is an easy recipe for a delicious summer side dish that everyone loves and goes well with anything else you cook on the grill. You’ll love the easy clean-up, too!
One of the best things about summer is that fresh sweet corn is in season. I don’t think I could ever pick a favorite food, other than chocolate, but grilled corn on the cob with plenty of melted butter is definitely high on the list!
As soon as fresh corn starts popping up in the stores , I start buying it. In fact, we probably make this corn on the cob recipe at least once a week. Of course, buying corn from the farmers market is better, and getting it straight from the farm is the absolute best, right?! We don’t get out to the farms that often, but whenever I get the chance, I take it.
Growing up, we always had boiled corn on the cob, and I make it this way or Instant pot corn when it’s too hot outside to grill. But a few years ago, I saw a recipe for grilled corn on the cob wrapped in foil on TV, and after trying it, we were all hooked! I even got my parents to start making it this way, and that almost never happens!
Serve this summer staple with grilled burgers or smash burgers, grilled pork chops and fresh peach crisp!