Fitness / June 1, 2023

How to Grill Corn in the Husk

If you’ve already got the grill going, why not throw some corn on there, too? This grilled corn in the husk has a hint of smokiness that’s ready to eat in minutes.

Table of Contents

It’s time on FFF to explore smoky flavors and summertime delights: grilled corn in the husk. Preparing the corn in such a way captures the essence of a seasonal fave. It seals in the corn’s juices and infuses it with that smokiness that, whenever I taste it, reminds me of long, hot nights and neighborhood barbecues.

I’ll take you through the process step by step so that your corn is bursting with flavor and has that lovely char to it. Far be it for me to knock boiling corn, but once you’ve tried this recipe, you’ll have a hard time going back to shucked corn and a boring pot of water.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Grilled corn is a classic dish for the summer days, but never gets boring!
In this recipe, the corn is grilled in its husk until charred and caramelized, which gives it a smoky and grassy flavor.
It’s a low-maintenance side dish that takes little prep work (the hardest part is waiting 10 minutes for the corn to soak!)

Is Husked Corn on the cob Healthy?

Corn is a good choice as part of a healthy diet because it’s low in saturated fats and high in vitamins and minerals. Corn contains fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar and contributes to weight loss. Just be aware of how much butter and salt you put in (and whatever other ingredients you put on the corn), as this is where the calories and fat can sneak up on you.

INGREDIENTS

The corn and the water in which you soak it are really the only necessities. It’s up to you whatever else you’d like to include.

2 fresh sweet corn in the husk
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp, chopped parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
pinch of sea salt and black pepper

How to Grill Corn in the Husk ingredients

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the grill to 400°F. Soak the corn in cold water for at least 10 minutes.

Combine

In a small bowl, combine the butter with the garlic powder and season with salt and pepper.

Rub

Pull back the husk from the corn (keep it attached at the stem though; you’re not removing it completely). Rub each corn with the butter mixture. Replace the husk and place on the preheated grill.

Grill

Grill the corn, turning often, for 20 minutes or until soft and charred. Remove from the grill and top with some fresh chopped parsley.

DEVOUR!

Variations

There are plenty of different topping variations for this grilled corn recipe. You can use fresh chopped cilantro instead of parsley and add other spices like smoked paprika to your butter mixture. Sprinkle some grated parmesan or crispy bacon over the grilled corn if you’d like this dish to be more savory.

Serving Suggestions

The lovely thing about grilled corn that is still in its husk is that smokiness. Here, I’ve listed some other grilled foods that boast the same flavor:

Smoky ‘n’ Sweet Turkey Chili: A healthy, gluten-free comfort dish whose smokiness comes from its paprika.

Grilled Avocados with Feta Tahini Sauce: Not a main entree but delicious nonetheless. It’s sweet and tangy and perfect for a summer evening.

How To Grill Lobster Tail: Why not add seafood to that grill? Lobster tail is slightly sweet (like the corn) and can be served with garlic butter (like the corn!).

Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast: A classic that I had to include here. Chicken breast can be cooked any number of ways but on the grill is my favorite.

FAQs

How do i choose the right corn?

For this recipe, you want to make sure that your corn is as fresh as possible to maximize flavor. Look out for corn that has a bright green husk. Also, check if the corn is firm and doesn’t have any holes or missing kernels.

Why do you need to soak the corn before grilling?

Soaking the corn in water will prevent the husk from burning. The water will also add moisture to the husk and soften it. Soak the corn for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes before you put them on the grill.

Can I also remove the husk from the corn before grilling?

Yes, you can also grill this corn without husk. I recommend grilling them with husk to add charred flavor and cooking the corn perfectly evenly. If you remove the husk, the corn will be less tender and more charred.

do i need to remove the silk before grilling?

The silk — those hairy strands attached to the corn — can be removed beforehand if you prefer but you don’t have to. It’s thought the silk helps steam the corn, keeping it juicy. I’m not sure I’ve ever noticed the difference. In any case, the silk will get charred during the grilling process, making it easy to remove.

how long do i grill the corn for?

In the recipe, I recommend 20 minutes but this largely depends on the size and freshness of the corn. Larger cobs of corn take longer to cook, while fresher corn takes less time. A range would be 15-25 minutes.

How to Store Grilled Corn In The Husk

If you have some leftover cobs of corn, let them cool completely. Wrap them individually in aluminum foil then place them in an airtight container or resealable bag. You can keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also follow the same steps but store the corn in the freezer for up to 3 months (just let the corn thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating). You can reheat on the grill or in the oven (or eat it cold!)