How to Grill Corn on the Cob (3 Ways!)

Learn how to grill corn on the cob with the husk, without the husk, and in foil! Grilling sweet corn is so easy, and the grill imparts so much smoky flavor. Enjoy as is or add your favorite toppings! 

Why I Love Grilled Corn

Grilled sweet corn is far superior to boiled corn, in my opinion. Grilling corn gives it an incredible depth of flavor, and there’s no chance the corn will become mushy — a problem that plagues boiled corn. 

In the summer months, we love to fire up our grill at every possible opportunity. Sweet corn is a filling, flavorful, and cheap side dish that pairs well with everything from grilled chicken to pork chops to veggie kebabs. 

Best of all, any leftover sweet corn on the grill can be cut off the cob and added to salads, dips, and wraps the next day! 

This post will explain the three best ways to grill fresh corn: in the husk, without the husk, and wrapped in aluminum foil. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about grilling corn on the cob! 

Tools Needed to Grill Corn 

When grilling sweet corn, there are a few specific tools I recommend having on hand. Since you’ll be working over a hot grill, it’s very important that you have the right equipment to protect yourself and care for your grill. 

• Grill — It doesn’t matter what type of grill you have; gas, electric, pellet, and charcoal grills all work perfectly well for grilling corn. 
• Grill brush — Make sure to clean your grill before preheating it. Any leftover bits of food left on the grill grates will burn and may stick to the corn as you’re grilling it. 
• Pastry brush — Makes brushing your corn with olive oil or butter so much easier and safer. 
• Chef’s knife — You may need a sharpened chef’s knife on hand if you plan on cutting the grilled corn kernels off the cob. 
• Foil — I recommend investing in heavy duty aluminum foil if you plan on grilling the corn in it. 
• Grill tongs — Essential for flipping the corn cobs midway through cooking. Do NOT use your hands to flip corn as it’s grilling! 
• Grill pan — I know not everyone has an outdoor grill, so consider buying a grill pan as an alternative. Grilling sweet corn on a proper grill is always going to taste best, but I’ve provided instructions later in this post on how to grill corn in a grill pan to give you options. 

How to Grill Corn on the Cob 3 Ways 

The three methods for grilling corn on the cob are: in the husk, without the husk (directly on the grill), or without the husk and wrapped in foil. I’ve given instructions on each method in the section below, plus the various grill times for corn based on the method chosen. 

1. How to Grill Corn in the Husk (Recommended) 

In my experience, the best way to grill corn is in the husk. Grilling corn in the husk traps in steam, which helps keep the kernels super juicy while still delivering that charred grill flavor. 

The husk also helps to protect the corn from burning. You won’t get those lovely grill marks by grilling corn in the husk, but at least there’s very little chance of it overcooking! 

However, grilled corn in the husk does require some advanced planning. You may not have to shuck every ear of corn, but you do need to soak the corn cobs — husks and all — in water prior to preheating the grill. 

Here’s how to grill corn with the husk on: 

1. Peel back the corn husk, but be sure to keep it attached at the base of the corn. 
2. Carefully remove the corn silk. The corn silk is a pain to remove after the corn has been grilled and easily gets stuck in your teeth. Plus, the corn silk is prone to burning, even if the corn cob has been soaked in water. 
3. Once the corn silks have been removed, replace the husks and submerge the corn cobs in water. You can do this in the sink or in a large bowl. 
4. Let the corn soak in the water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours. 
5. Once the corn has soaked to your liking, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. 
6. Remove the corn from the water and shake off any excess. 
7. Place the corn (husks and all!) on the grill and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. 
8. Once done, peel back the husks and top as desired. 

How Long to Grill Corn in the Husk 

The grill time for corn in the husk is roughly 15 to 20 minutes over medium-high heat. You’ll need to turn the corn cobs every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. 

2. How to Grill Corn Without Husks

If you’re looking to create gorgeous grill marks on your grilled corn, then you’ll want to grill it without the husks. However, when grilling corn on the cob directly on the grill they’re more prone to burning. Keep an eye on your corn! 

Those grill marks add so much extra flavor though, making this grilling method ideal if you plan on using the corn in salads, dips, or soups rather than eating it straight off the cob. 

Plus, you don’t have to soak the corn in water beforehand if grilling without the husks. 

Here’s how to grill corn on the cob without husks: 

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat. You’ll want to use a lower temperature since there are no husks to protect the corn kernels from the hot grill. 
2. Remove the husk and silk from each ear of corn. 
3. If desired, brush each corn cob with olive oil. This prevents the corn cobs from sticking to the grill grates and helps them develop those lovely grill marks. 
4. Place the corn on the grill and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning every couple of minutes. 

How Long to Grill Corn without Husks 

The grill time for corn on the cob without husks is 10 to 15 minutes over medium heat. Again, make sure to turn the corn every few minutes to ensure each ear cooks evenly. 

3. How to Grill Corn in Foil

Cooking corn on the grill in foil is a good compromise if you want the kernels to be ultra plump and juicy but don’t want to serve it out of the husks. 

Grilling corn in foil requires less babysitting than cooking corn directly on the grill, and while few to no grill marks will develop there’s also very little chance of the corn burning. 

Grilling corn on the cob in foil is a good idea if you’re new to grilling corn and want to play it super safe. 

Plus, grilled corn in foil is ideal for party prep and camping! You can prepare the foil-wrapped corn cobs a day in advance, then simply dispose of the foil after you’ve finished grilling. 

Here’s how to make grilled corn on the cob in foil: 

1. Remove corn husk and silk. 
2. Brush with olive oil. 
3. Wrap in foil, making sure the ends are tightly sealed but the foil isn’t wrapped too tightly around the ear of corn. 
4. Poke a few holes in the foil to let steam escape. 
5. Preheat the grill to medium-high. 
6. Place foil-wrapped corn on the grill and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every few minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s tender and bright yellow 

How Long to Grill Corn in Foil

The grill time for corn in foil is 15 to 20 minutes over medium-high heat. Turn the corn every few minutes to ensure even cooking. 

Should You Parboil Corn Before Grilling It? 

You don’t have to parboil corn before grilling it, no. 

Some people like to parboil corn for about 3 to 4 minutes in a pot of boiling water on the stove to shorten the grill time but still ensure the corn cooks fully. You’ll still get that classic grill flavor without having to char it. 

Fresh sweet corn can sometimes become tough if grilled for too long, and parboiling it before grilling it helps prevent this. I’ve been grilling corn for long enough that I don’t need to parboil mine, but you certainly can if desired. 

Here’s how to parboil corn for grilling: 

1. Heat a pot of water until boiling.
2. Add the corn (without husks) and cook for just 3 to 4 minutes.  Do NOT add salt to water as that could toughen up kernels. 
3. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel and then grill as instructed. 

Can You Grill Corn Kernels That Have Been Cut Off the Cob? 

Most certainly! Knowing how to grill corn kernels rather than whole corn cobs comes in handy if you’ve already cut the corn kernels off the cob, a recipe calls for grilled corn kernels, you plan on freezing the corn for later, or it’s difficult for you to eat corn on the cob because you have dentures or braces. 

To grill corn kernels that have been cut off the cob: 

1. Cut the corn kernels off the cob using a sharp chef’s knife and add to a cast iron pan. 
2. Cook the corn kernels over medium heat for about 10 minutes (no more than 15 minutes total). You may hear some popping noises, which is an indication of doneness. 
3. Remove the pan from the heat and eat as desired. 

Tip: If using a cast iron pan that’s been properly seasoned, you shouldn’t have to add any oil to the corn kernels before grilling them. 

Can You Grill Frozen Corn? 

If you have frozen corn on the cob to use up, grilling it is a great option! To grill frozen corn on the cob: 

1. Let the frozen corn on the cob thaw overnight in the fridge.
2. Preheat the grill to medium heat. 
3. Brush with olive oil and then wrap in foil, making sure to poke a few holes in the foil to let steam escape. 
4. Grill the corn for about 10 minutes. Frozen corn takes less time to grill because it was blanched before being frozen. 

Can You Grill Corn Without an Outdoor Grill? 

Yes, you can also grill corn using an indoor grill pan. The grill times and preparation will be the same as if you were using an outdoor grill. If grilling corn in the husks, make sure you grill pan is large enough to accommodate the husks. 

Can You Freeze Grilled Corn on the Cob? 

Yes, you can freeze grilled corn on the cob. I recommend letting the corn cool completely, then cutting the kernels off the cob before freezing them. This will save freezer space, and you can add the frozen grilled corn directly to soups and dips in the future. 

Toppings for Grilled Corn on the Cob

Buttered sweet corn is delicious, but there are many more grilled corn toppings you can try! A few of my favorite toppings for grilled corn include: 

• Garlic salt 
• Taco seasoning
• Pork rub seasoning
• Cilantro lime butter
• Compound butter 
• Mayo, cilantro, lime juice, Cotija cheese, and chili powder (like Elote)  
• Butter and salt 

What to Serve with Grilled Corn on the Cob

Grilled corn on the cob pairs well with almost any summer entree or side dish. Try serving grilled sweet corn with one or more of the following recipes: 

• Grilled proteins: Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken, Greek Pork Kebabs, Foil Pack Pesto Pork Chops, Grilled Chicken Skewers, Spicy Mango Chicken Drumsticks, Grilled Chicken Walking Tacos, Gouda Burgers, and Blue Cheese Turkey Burgers. 
• Summer side dishes: Roasted Tomato Crostini, Potato Salad, Zucchini Tomato Salad, Jalapeño Coleslaw, and Grilled Sweet Potato Fries. 
• Desserts: No-Bake Mango Lime Cheesecake, Strawberry Galette, Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles, and Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches. 

More Grilling Tutorials: 

Come check out my tried and true method for making Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork along with my 9 pro tips for the best smoked pork – I’m including my favorite pork shoulder brine and pulled pork rub to use when making this pulled pork recipe.

Mango Habanero Pork Ribs are full of flavor and perfect for your Memorial Day BBQ or your next summertime picnic.

These Flank Steak Fajitas have so much flavor thanks to this delicious flank steak fajita marinade. 

This recipe for Grilled Sweet Potatoes in Foil is full of flavor. You’ll love this healthy side dish of foil grilled sweet potatoes – it’s the perfect side dish when you need an easy dinner idea!

Try something new for dessert this summer and make these Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone! Grilling peaches is so easy to do and their natural sweetness of the fruit pairs well with whipped mascarpone and fresh raspberry sauce.

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