Perfectly Grilled Corn

This summery side dish will bring joy and happiness to any barbecue or picnic!

Corn, also known as maize, is an edible grain. This crop is one of the most widely distributed food crops in the world. It originated in the Americas. Corn was first domesticated about 10,000 years ago by the native people of Mexico. Each ear of corn is enclosed by leaves called husks or shucks. The most popular varieties of corn are white and yellow corn, but there are many varieties of corn out there. Corn can also have kernels that are pink, blue, red, and black. Sometimes the colors are striped, banded, or spotted.

Corn has many uses. It is a common ingredient in livestock feed. Humans have turned it into cornmeal, cooked it on its own, or made fun recipes like popcorn. In Latin American cuisine, corn is turned into masa which is a dough that is used in foods like tamales and tortillas. Corn syrup is used in foods like candy and soft drinks. Corn can be turned into bio-fuel (ethanol) and be a used as a raw material.

There is nothing quite like freshly grilled corn in the summer. Growing up whenever we had a barbecue party we would buy big bags of corn to cook. We knew a lot of picky eaters and corn was the one thing we knew everyone would eat. I loved going to the local farm stands and carefully inspecting each ear to make sure the corn was perfect for our family to eat.

For the longest time I only boiled corn for parties because corn took up a lot of space on the grill. Many party guests would be anxious for their burgers and hot dogs. Then I figured out the perfect solution: use a larger grill. Now I have plenty of space for corn. With all my practice grilling corn I believe that this recipe is the best so far. Please enjoy!

Perfectly Grilled Corn Recipe

Yields 6 servings

Vegetarian/Vegan

Specialty Tool: Gas or charcoal grill

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Inactive Time: 5 minutes

Beer Pairing Suggestion: Kolsch

Ingredients

6 ears yellow corn, husks on

Serve with: salt, pepper, butter (vegetarians only)

Directions

Wet the ears of corn with the husk on. The husk will be helpful in the grilling process.

Heat up grill to 350 F.

Place ears of corn on the grill.

Grill the corn on one side for 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with the other side.

Place corn on a platter and let it rest for about 5 minutes.

Peel/shuck off the husk.

Serve with salt and pepper, possibly butter and enjoy!

This dish goes great with baby back ribs, sirloin kebabs, juicy hamburgers, and black bean burgers.

This technique works well with white corn and many other types of corn, just use what is fresh and available to your local area. Support your local farmer’s markets!

Variation: Add some chopped fresh herbs to the corn like parsley, sage, basil, chives!

DID YOU MAKE THIS DISH?

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