Grilled Corn On The Cob

Grilled Corn on the Cob is going to be your new go-to summer side dish.

If you don’t cook your corn on the cob on the grill, it’s possible you’ve been doing it the wrong way all along. To be fair, there is almost no wrong way to prepare corn on the cob. But, in my humble opinion, grilling it over an actual fire is the way it was meant to be cooked. If you’ve never done it before, prepare to have your worldview changed—at least when it comes to corn.

Grilling corn on the cob has literally been around for centuries. The indigenous Aztec and Mayan people of what is now Mexico and Central America would grill corn cobs over an open flame. Today, Mexico still has a love affair with grilled corn, with the popular street food elote consisting of grilled corn topped with lime juice, chili powder, crema, and cotija cheese.

When you cook corn on the cob on the grill, you get the sweetness of the corn combined with a smoky flavor. It’s a wonderful combination that you can’t get if you prepare corn any other way, like boiling or roasting. Of course, you still get to cover the corn with butter, salt, and any other flavors you wish to add. It’ll be the same corn on the cob you’ve always enjoyed, just better because it was prepared on the grill.

Is Grilled Corn Healthy?

By itself, corn contains fiber, protein, B vitamins, and other important nutrients. It’s also low in calories and fat. How healthy your grilled corn is, however, will depend on what you put on it.

For example, adding a lot of butter and salt will increase the fat, calories, and sodium content of your dish. The same goes for other toppings, such as making elote with crema and cheese. But, this versatility is part of the appeal of grilled corn. You can make it a light, healthy side dish or something more indulgent—it’s up to you!

A Blank Canvas For Creative Customization

Elote is not the only way to dress up grilled corn on the cob. The sky really is the limit.

Swap your plain butter for an herb butter studded with minced garlic and chopped parsley. Brush on some ranch dressing and sprinkle each corn cob with crumbled bacon. Want something with a little kick? Cajun seasoning, sriracha, or hot honey are all fabulous toppings by themselves or with other add-ons. Miso paste, curry-spiced yogurt, or even honey butter would all be delicious slathered on some fresh-grilled corn, too.

The possibilities are endless, so get to experimenting. That’s where the fun lies!

Serving Suggestions

You can use grilled corn on the cob as a side dish for just about anything, especially if the grill is already fired up. To keep it simple, a juicy Grilled Chicken Breast would be great with a side of corn. Naturally, hamburgers and hot dogs are a great option, too, especially a flavorful Cajun Burger. Of course, you can’t go wrong with corn on the cob next to a plate of Boneless Pork Ribs, either. Frankly, any meat dish, especially if it’s grilled, is the perfect occasion to make some grilled corn on the cob.

Recipe