Grilled Corn on the Cob
No summer barbecue is complete without deliciously sweet grilled corn on the cob. This simple three-ingredient recipe will ensure the best tasting corn of your life. After trying this method, you may never go back to your old way of cooking corn again.
Follow the easy step-by-step instructions below to grill corn on the cob to perfection:
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Prep the corn:
- Pull back the husks and remove all the silk strands from each ear of corn.
- Coat each ear of corn generously with butter, salt, and pepper, making sure to cover it evenly.
- Close the husks around the corn and wrap each ear tightly in aluminum foil.
Grill the corn:
- Preheat your outdoor grill to high heat and lightly oil the grill grate to prevent sticking.
- Place the wrapped corn directly on the grill.
- Turn the corn occasionally to ensure even cooking. Grill for about 30 minutes, or until the corn is tender and fully cooked through.
Once the corn is done, carefully remove it from the grill and serve immediately. Enjoy the sweet, tender results!
How Long to Grill Corn on the Cob
This recipe calls for grilling the corn for 30 minutes, which is the ideal time to achieve a perfect balance of tenderness and juiciness. The husk and foil help steam the corn, resulting in a more moist and flavorful outcome.
Why Grill Corn in Foil?
Wrapping the corn in foil while keeping the husks on creates a steam chamber that helps cook the corn evenly. Adding butter, salt, and pepper inside the foil allows the corn to cook in rich, flavorful juices, resulting in tender kernels. While grilling without husks or foil will produce a more smoky, charred flavor (ideal for recipes like elote), it requires less time typically around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the heat of your grill.
What to Serve With Grilled Corn on the Cob
Grilled corn on the cob makes an excellent side dish for any barbecue. It also pairs wonderfully with a variety of main dishes. If you're looking for more inspiration, consider these recipes:
- 20 Best Chef John Recipes for the Grill
- 8 Turkey Breast Recipes for Simple Dinners
- 17 Best Cheeseburger Recipes
Or explore our full collection of main dish recipes for even more options.
How to Store Grilled Corn on the Cob
While grilled corn is best enjoyed the day it's made, if you have leftovers, wrap them tightly in foil and store in an airtight or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the corn in a preheated 350F oven until warm.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"I served this corn at a Texas BBQ dinner party and it was a hit! I followed the recipe exactly, although I dipped the corn in water before adding the salt and pepper to help the seasoning stick better," says SAIDANDDUNN. "I also used coarse ground black pepper, which added great flavor. I'm excited to try different butter mixtures next time to match the corn with my other grilled dishes."
"This was absolutely delicious! Ill definitely make it again and maybe experiment with some other spices," says JoAnn.
"I tried this recipe two ways: as written and with some modifications, like leaving the husks on and skipping the butter. The original method is by far superior dont skip it!" says J Mos.
Ingredients
- 6 ears corn
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Directions
- Preheat your outdoor grill to high heat and lightly oil the grill grate.
- Pull back the husks and remove the silk from each ear of corn.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of butter on each ear of corn, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Wrap each ear tightly in aluminum foil and place on the grill.
- Grill the corn, turning occasionally, for about 30 minutes until tender.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Each serving contains approximately:
- 179 calories
- 13g fat
- 17g carbs
- 3g protein
- 2g dietary fiber
- 3g sugar
These values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your individual needs may vary.

Comments
Ann Partain
10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM
The corn was excellent...sweet and juicy. For some of you who had trouble getting your corn done quick enough,here's a hint that applies to any food that's wrapped in foil. In this case, wrap the corn-on-the-cob with the shiny side in. This keeps the heat in and helps to cook faster. With the shiny side out, the foil is reflecting more of the heat...so longer cooking time.
tcasa
05/30/2017 01:35:06 AM
This corn was delicious! I followed Wharton31 advice and soaked the corn for over an hour in water leaving the husk on. I took off the silk which was visible and threw them on the grill. After 35 minutes on high heat I husked them added buttter, salt and pepper. Yum! The tin foil method would work too but why waste it. Excellent recipe for camping thank you!
Jim Stark
09/06/2019 11:56:42 PM
Ok, I took the super lazy method. First, I did not soak the corn in water first. Second, I did not peal back the husks or remove the silk. Here is my only big change: I took some heavy duty kitchen scissors and cut the stalk end to just about the cob. This released the largest husk pieces to discard. Then I threw them on a 300 degree grill for about 25 or 30 minutes (turning every 5 minutes or so). Man, it turned out amazing! Just added a little butter, salt and pepper and had the best corn on the cob ever! I only gave 4 stars to the original recipe. This change would make it a 5.
nana98
07/06/2012 01:32:32 PM
we soak our corn in the husks in water and beer for about 20 minutes.then cook on a hot covered grill (turning occasionally) for about 20 minutes or until you smell the hot corn.delicious and tender and juicy
janis
07/19/2021 01:10:03 AM
Great! I made it in the oven on a rainy evening. Very tender!
mommy_of_none
08/26/2018 08:26:22 PM
Just soak the corn with husks on from anywhere from 1/2 hour to many hours. Grill over high heat, turning until the husked are mostly blackened. Take off heat and wait about 1/2 hour or so until cool enough to handle. Corn peels easily, silks come off easy, corn ready to eat as is or whatever you want to add to it.
dlana
06/26/2016 02:18:25 AM
Easy and delicious way to cook corn. After reading reviews we left the husk and silk on, just made sure there were no worms and no rot. We wrapped them in foil and grilled on a high heat. I mixed real butter with a little salt, pepper, finely chopped garlic and paprika and brushed on after shucking. Great flavor. Next time we will cook at a little lower heat but keep all the same.
Stoutfalcon
05/29/2013 04:58:06 AM
Growing up, we always soaked the corn in saltwater overnight the threw it on the charcoal grill. Husks never burned, and you didnt have to add iodized salt to them. Steam cooked the corn quicker, and all you needed was butter.
Becky Fadely Harris
05/13/2017 06:42:41 PM
Delicious and simple. We don't like corn with sugar so this recipe was perfect. I ended up removing all the husks and just used aluminum foil and it was still tasty and tender. I also soaked the corn in warm water with salt ( maybe 2 qts. Water to 1/4 c salt) to tenderize it a little. Soaked for about 2 hours.
Arizona Desert Flower
08/07/2016 02:48:20 AM
I pumped my flame a little higher as we enjoy that char flavor on corn. I used garlic salt instead of plain salt. I'm not a fan of corn but even I loved this. New family favorite!
Ken
08/08/2012 04:47:01 AM
I don't remove the husks until it is completely cooked. Prior to placing on grill I trim with scissors, the loose husk and cut the silk end flush, then totally submerge the complete ears in water for about an hour or more. Rotating on the grill until outer husk is burnt black, which is when the internal corn is perfectly cooked. Use oven mitts to peel off very hot husks and remaining silk. Now is time to add butter and salt, mmm.
Primary
07/22/2025 08:35:13 PM
Yes, added butter and Tony Chachera, omitted black pepper. Also have used the Bold Tony's. Adds a bit of zip.
Della Ella Ola
09/04/2024 01:45:41 PM
Definitely take off the foil and husk at the end for a little direct grilling.
Gregory King
08/08/2024 03:25:26 AM
I actually enjoyed cooking this, and that’s rare for me.
dougcollinssr
06/13/2024 03:20:33 PM
Even though I did under cook the corn, it was still a favorite on the family picnic.
Judi
10/28/2023 10:07:13 PM
This recipe is an easy way to get delicious juicy corn on the cob when you are having a barbeque.
Bize Althtime
08/04/2022 05:37:40 AM
Easy and delicious!
RusticPrawn5524
06/18/2022 09:11:03 PM
Delicious.
SaucyChauncy
05/28/2022 09:32:22 PM
I really love the taste of summertime corn. This recipe is spot on. EXCEPT, I add a little bit of smoked paprika right after I peel the foil back. It really adds a great flavor to the ear. Oh and if you like it a bit sweeter, I like to add a drizzle of maple syrup. PERFECT.
ldthorne
09/07/2021 12:49:28 AM
It was delicious even though I did burn some of it. I would turn it more often and not grill it with the meat.