Grilling corn on the cob is a delicious way to enjoy this summer staple. The smoky flavor and slight char from the grill enhance the sweetness of the corn, making it a perfect side dish for any barbecue or outdoor gathering.
To cook shucked corn on the grill, start by preheating your grill to medium-high heat. While the grill is heating up, remove the husks and silk from the corn. This can be done by peeling back the husks, taking care not to completely remove them, and then removing the silk from the ear of corn.
Once the corn is shucked, it’s time to prepare it for grilling. Brush each ear of corn with a thin layer of olive oil or melted butter to prevent sticking and help enhance the flavor. You can also season the corn with salt, pepper, or any other desired seasonings.
When the grill is hot, place the corn directly on the grates. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. The corn is ready when it’s tender and slightly charred. Remove from the grill and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious grilled shucked corn with your favorite main dishes!
Step-by-step guide to cooking shucked corn on the grill
Grilling corn on the cob is a delicious way to enjoy this classic summer vegetable. Shucking the corn before grilling allows the flavors to fully infuse the kernels, resulting in a smoky and sweet taste. Follow these simple steps to cook shucked corn on the grill:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove the outer husks from the corn and discard.
- Peel away the inner silk strands, making sure to remove all of them.
- Rinse the corn under running water to clean off any remaining silk.
- Brush each cob with melted butter or olive oil, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning onto the corn for added flavor.
- Place the corn directly on the preheated grill grates.
- Cook the corn for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Check for doneness by piercing the kernels with a fork; they should be tender when fully cooked.
- Remove the corn from the grill and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Serve the shucked corn hot, either on the cob or cut off the cob.
Grilled shucked corn is perfect as a side dish for any barbecue or summer gathering. Enjoy the smoky, caramelized flavors and the natural sweetness of this versatile vegetable!
Preparing the corn
Before grilling shucked corn, you’ll need to prepare it properly to ensure a delicious and flavorful result.
First, remove the husk and silk from each ear of corn. Grab the husk at the top and peel it down towards the base of the corn. Pull off any remaining silk strands, making sure to clean the corn thoroughly.
Next, rinse the corn under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat it dry with a clean towel.
If desired, you can soak the corn in a bowl of water for 10-15 minutes before grilling. This helps to keep the kernels moist and prevents them from drying out during the grilling process.
Once the corn is prepared, it’s ready to be seasoned and grilled to perfection!
Soaking the corn
Before grilling shucked corn, it is important to soak it in water. Soaking the corn helps to keep it moist while it cooks and prevents it from drying out on the grill.
Fill a large bowl or container with water and place the shucked corn inside. Make sure the corn is completely submerged in water.
Allow the corn to soak for at least 30 minutes, but overnight soaking is even better. This will help to ensure that the corn is fully hydrated before grilling.
Tip: Adding salt or sugar to the water can enhance the flavor of the corn. Try adding a tablespoon of salt or sugar to the soaking water for an extra boost of taste.
Remember to thoroughly rinse the corn with fresh water after soaking to remove any excess salt or sugar before grilling.
Seasoning the corn
Before grilling the shucked corn, you can season it to add more flavor. Here are some ideas for seasoning your corn:
Seasoning | Description |
---|---|
Salt and pepper | A classic combination that enhances the natural sweetness of the corn. |
Butter and herbs | Spread some softened butter on the corn and sprinkle with your favorite herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary. |
Garlic and Parmesan cheese | Mix minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and butter in a small bowl. Rub the mixture onto the corn for a savory flavor. |
Spicy seasoning | If you like some heat, sprinkle your corn with chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce. |
Lime and chili | Drizzle lime juice and sprinkle chili powder on the corn for a tangy and spicy kick. |
BBQ seasoning | Coat the corn with your favorite BBQ seasoning for a smoky and flavorful taste. |
Once you have chosen your seasoning, pat the shucked corn dry with a paper towel before applying it. This will help the seasoning stick better to the corn.
Preheating the grill
Before you cook shucked corn on the grill, it’s important to preheat the grill. Preheating the grill ensures that the corn will cook evenly and will develop those delicious grill marks.
To preheat the grill, follow these steps:
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Once the grill is preheated, you’re ready to move on to the next step of cooking shucked corn on the grill.
Grilling the corn
Once you have soaked the corn and prepared the husks, it is time to grill the corn.
Step 1: Preheat the grill
Start by preheating your grill to medium-high heat. This will ensure that the corn cooks evenly and gets nice grill marks.
Step 2: Place the corn on the grill
Place the corn directly on the grill grates, with the husks still attached. Close the lid of the grill to help retain the heat.
Step 3: Rotate the corn
After a few minutes, rotate the corn a quarter turn. This will help promote even cooking and prevent any side from getting burnt.
Step 4: Continue cooking and rotating
Continue cooking the corn for about 10-15 minutes, rotating every few minutes. This will ensure that the corn gets cooked on all sides.
Step 5: Check for doneness
To check if the corn is done, carefully peel back a small section of the husk and pierce a kernel with a fork. If the corn is tender and the kernel is juicy, it is ready to be removed from the grill.
Step 6: Remove from grill and serve
Once the corn is done, remove it from the grill using tongs. Carefully peel off the husks and silk. Serve the grilled corn hot, optionally with butter, salt, and pepper.
Ingredients | Instructions |
---|---|
Shucked corn | 1. Preheat the grill. |
2. Place the corn on the grill. | |
3. Rotate the corn. | |
4. Continue cooking and rotating. | |
5. Check for doneness. | |
6. Remove from grill and serve. |
Serving and enjoying
Once the shucked corn is grilled to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy! Here are a few ways you can serve your grilled corn:
Butter and salt: Spread some softened butter onto the grilled corn and sprinkle with salt. The heat of the corn will melt the butter, creating a deliciously creamy and savory flavor.
Herb butter: Take your grilled corn to the next level by mixing softened butter with your favorite herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or cilantro. Spread the herb butter onto the corn and let the flavors meld together.
Cheese and spices: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled Cotija cheese over the grilled corn. Add a sprinkle of chili powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
Garlic and lime: Create a tangy and zesty flavor by rubbing grilled corn with a clove of garlic and squeezing fresh lime juice over it. This combination adds a refreshing and bold taste to the corn.
Mayonnaise and lime: A popular Mexican street food, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the grilled corn and squeeze fresh lime juice on top. The creamy sweetness of the mayonnaise complements the smoky flavor of the grilled corn.
Remember to provide napkins, as grilled corn can get messy to eat. Serve the corn as a delicious side dish at your barbecue or enjoy it as a snack on its own. Grilled corn is a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish that is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
FAQ
What is shucked corn?
Shucked corn is corn that has had its husks and silk removed, leaving just the kernels.
Can I grill corn without shucking it?
Yes, you can grill corn without shucking it by leaving the husks on and grilling it over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes.
How do I shuck corn?
To shuck corn, start by pulling back the husks and removing the silk. Then, fold the husks back up and tie them together with twine. Soak the corn in cold water for about 10 minutes before grilling.
What seasonings can I use to flavor grilled shucked corn?
There are many options for seasoning grilled shucked corn. Some popular choices include butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and grated Parmesan cheese.
How long should I grill shucked corn?
You should grill shucked corn over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and slightly charred.