This Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe (with no husk or foil) is as simple as it gets. The corn gets placed on the grill and rotated until heated on all sides, – it really does take only 20 minutes – then it’s time to dig in. An easy gluten free side dish for summer eating, it goes great with burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and much more.
Why you should make this grilled corn recipe
Corn on the cob is one of the easiest things to grill. It takes next to no prep and is pretty hard to mess up.
All you need to do is remove the husks (or buy fresh corn without husks!) and pop it on the grill until it’s charred slightly. Just don’t forget to turn it and you’re good!
Could you cook the corn with the husks? Or with aluminum foil? Yes, you could, but you don’t need to. It’s an extra step that’s not necessary.
Even with an easy recipe like this, step by step directions are helpful so I’ve included them below. There’s also a whole long list of great topping ideas, plus some extra recipe suggestions for gluten free dinner ideas to go with the grilled corn.
Read on add this simple and tasty side dish to your next summer bbq.
Ingredients
- fresh sweet corn on the cob – it’s the only ingredient! You can use yellow, white, or bi-color corn.
I’ve written condensed directions here including pictures so you can see how to make this recipe. The full set of detailed instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Before you scroll through, there is important information throughout this post.
How to grill corn on the cob without husks
- Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F and remove the corn husk and silks (stringy bits) from the cob.
- Snap the stem off the cob. Rinse it off with water and dry with a towel.
- Place the corn on the hot grill and cook for 4 minutes, then turn a quarter of the way and cook another 4 minutes. Do this two more times until all sides of the corn have been face down on the grill grates and the corn kernels are starting to blacken.
- Serve as is or add toppings as desired (here I added melted butter, smoked paprika, parmesan cheese, and chopped cilantro).
Topping Ideas
You can certainly eat corn on the cob plain and it tastes delicious, but you can also top it with all sorts of delicious things! Try one (or more) of the foods below:
- chopped cilantro
- parmesan cheese
- cotija cheese
- queso fresco
- butter (herb butter or garlic butter would be good)
- ghee
- coconut oil
- lime juice
- salt and pepper
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- smoked paprika
FAQ
Does corn need to be boiled before grilling?
No, corn does not need to be boiled before grilling.
Can you grill corn in the husk?
Yes, you can grill corn in the husk. You would need to soak the corn husks so they don’t burn on the grill.
Can you use frozen corn?
No, I wouldn’t grill frozen corn on the cob. You would need to defrost it and the corn tends to end up soggy.
How do you tell if corn on the cob is done on the grill?
You can tell grilled corn on the cob is done when the kernels are plumped up a bit and are starting to blacken.
Recipe tips
- Use a pair of tongs or an oven mitt to rotate the corn on the grill. Don’t try to do it with your hands otherwise you risk burning yourself!
- It doesn’t make a difference what type of corn you use for this recipe – yellow, white, or bi-color all works just fine. Check out this article by The Kitchn to learn more about the different types of corn.
- You can eat this on its own as a side, or enjoy it in another dish. Try this grilled corn in my grilled shrimp, avocado, and corn salad!
If you’re looking for more grilling sides, check these recipes out:
Need a main dish to go with this grilled corn? Try one of these:
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If you make end up making this grilled corn on the cob without husks, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below!
20 Minute Grilled Corn on the Cob (No Husk)
Equipment
- A grill
Ingredients
- 4 corn on the cob
Optional toppings:
- melted butter can use coconut oil for dairy free
- smoked paprika
- chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to a medium heat, around 400 degrees F. Remove the husks and silk (the strings) from each corn cob if they didn’t come pre-shucked. Snap stem off the end of the corn and throw away. Rinse the corn with water and dry it off with a towel.
- Once the grill is warmed up, place the corn on the grill grate with a pair of tongs and close the lid. Cook for 4 minutes.
- After the 4 minutes are up, open the lid and rotate each corn cob one-quarter turn, then close the lid and cook another 4 minutes. Do this another two times until all sides of the corn have been face down on the grill grates and the corn kernels are starting to blacken.
- Remove from the grill and serve immediately, plain or with toppings if desired.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
I enjoy grilled corn on the cob so much and love to find new recipes to try out. Thanks for linking up and sharing this yummy one. This post will be one of the features this week. #HomeMattersParty