The Best Basic Grilled Corn Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated Aug. 30, 2018
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Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt. Video: Vicky Wasik
2:47

3 Ways to Grill Corn

Why It Works

  • Shucking the corn before grilling imparts smoky, charred flavor to the kernels, which you don't get from grilling corn in the husk.
  • Grilling your corn naked also helps it cook faster.

What's the best way to grill corn? I frequently use three different methods, and each has its distinct advantages and drawbacks. But that doesn't mean I don't have a favorite. Here's the best way I know of to make basic grilled corn, cooked on a hot fire until blistered and charred and served with butter and salt.

Recipe Facts

5

(2)

Active: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Serves: 8 servings

Rate & Comment

Ingredients

  • 8 ears corn, shucked and rinsed

  • 1/2 stick butter (2 ounces; 55g)

  • Kosher salt

Directions

  1. Light 1 chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange coals on one side of charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set half the burners on a gas grill to the highest heat setting, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil grilling grate.

  2. Place corn directly over hot side of grill and cook, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides and fully tender, about 10 minutes total.

  3. Remove corn from grill and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Roll in butter, sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.

Special equipment

Grill, chimney starter

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
125 Calories
7g Fat
17g Carbs
3g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 125
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 323mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 4mg 22%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 174mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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