Mastering The Art Of Bbq Corn: Timing Is Everything

Grilled corn on the cob is a delicious and easy side dish to make on your BBQ pit. There are several ways to grill corn, including grilling it directly on the grates, in foil, or in the husk. The time it takes to cook corn on a BBQ pit depends on the method you choose. Grilling corn directly on the grates takes around 10 minutes, while grilling corn in foil or in the husk can take up to 25 minutes. So, if you're looking for a quick and easy side dish to make on your BBQ pit, grilling corn directly on the grates is the way to go. However, if you're looking for a more moist and tender corn, grilling it in foil or in the husk is the better option.

How to grill corn on the cob without husks

Grilling corn on the cob without the husk is a great way to get some extra charring on your corn. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill corn on the cob without husks:

Preparation

First, you will want to select the freshest corn possible. Look for corn with bright green, tightly wrapped husks and slightly sticky light golden silks. The corn silk, or tassel, should be dry, black, or mushy. If the husk is dry, peeling, or turning yellow, the corn will need to be soaked in warm water for about 10 minutes before grilling.

Next, shuck the corn. To do this, remove the outer leaves from each ear of corn. Then, grasp the tassel and the top of the remaining leaves and firmly pull down to remove the husk. You can also break off the husk at the base of the ear and remove any remaining silks.

Grilling

Preheat your grill to high heat. Brush the corn with a thin layer of olive oil or another high-quality neutral oil, such as avocado or sunflower oil. You can also season the corn with salt and pepper to taste.

Once the grill is very hot, place the corn directly on the grill grates. Grill the corn for 10-15 minutes, turning the corn every few minutes to ensure even cooking.

Serving

When the corn is done grilling, remove it from the grill and, if desired, brush it with melted butter. You can also season the corn with kosher salt, chili powder, or cotija cheese. For a zesty kick, try squeezing some lime juice on the corn and sprinkling it with Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes.

Tips

• To test if your corn is cooked, pierce a kernel with a knife. If the corn is cooked, the kernel should be tender.
• To avoid overcooking the corn, do not grill it for longer than 15 minutes, as this can cause the kernels to become shrivelled, dry, and chewy.
• If you are using frozen corn, wrap each cob in aluminium foil and place on the grill, turning every few minutes for 10 minutes or until heated through.

How to grill corn on the cob with husks

Grilling corn in the husk is a unique method that results in deliciously moist, sweet, and nutty-flavoured corn. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill corn on the cob with husks:

Preparation

First, remove any loose husks from the corn cobs. Then, shuck the corn by peeling down the outside layers one at a time, keeping them attached and facing downwards away from the cob. Remove the silk, and then pull the husks back up over the corn. This makes eating the corn easier once it comes off the grill.

Soaking

Soak the corn cobs in cool water for at least 20 minutes to prevent scorching. Soaking the corn also adds moisture, resulting in juicier corn, and helps to prevent the husks from burning. If you have the time, you can soak the corn for up to 6-8 hours to get the husks fully saturated.

Preheating the grill

Set your grill to medium-high heat, which is about 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have exact temperature control, make sure to give the grill plenty of time to get seriously hot—it’s high heat you’re after.

Grilling

Place the corn directly on the grill grates and cook until the husk begins to blacken, then turn. Grill for a total of 20 to 22 minutes, or 15 to 20 minutes if you prefer your corn less charred, turning the corn occasionally to get even blackening on the outside of the husk. To check whether the corn is done, pull back the husk on one cob to make sure it is bright yellow and cooked through all the way to the bottom.

Serving

Serve the corn immediately with butter and salt to taste. You can also get creative with toppings and seasonings. Some popular options include garlic butter, honey-lime butter, homemade garlic butter, or a mixture of honey, butter, and cayenne pepper.

How to grill corn on the cob in foil

Grilling corn on the cob in foil is a great way to cook corn on the BBQ, adding a little smoke and char to enhance its sweetness and flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill corn on the cob in foil:

Preparation

Firstly, preheat your grill to a medium-high heat of around 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. While the grill is heating up, prepare your corn by removing the husks and silk. Place two sheets of aluminium foil on your workspace, with one sheet laid on top of the other. Place the corn in the centre of the foil and drizzle with melted butter, then season with salt and pepper. Wrap the edges of the foil up and seal tightly, then repeat with the bottom layer to create an airtight seal.

Grilling

Place the corn in the foil on the preheated grill and cook for 8-10 minutes. Use heat-resistant gloves to flip the foil pouch over and cook for a further 8-10 minutes.

Steaming

Remove the foil packet from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the corn to steam in the foil and softens the kernels. Be careful when opening the foil as hot steam will escape.

Serving

Open the foil and serve the corn with additional salt, pepper, butter, chives, or any other desired toppings.

Tips

• Double-wrap the corn in foil to prevent leakage and reduce the risk of flare-ups if butter catches fire.
• If cooking a lot of corn, wrap each cob individually as it cooks a bit faster and holds heat well when stacked.
• Let the corn rest after grilling to finish cooking and keep things juicy.
• Grill for around 20 minutes in total, flipping the corn after 10 minutes.

How to tell when corn is cooked

Grilled corn on the cob is a delicious side dish for a barbecue. But how do you know when it's cooked?

First, it's important to note that cooking corn is not an exact science. The timing will depend on your personal preference for texture. Some people prefer their corn cooked longer than others. It's also important not to overcook the corn, as this will result in shrivelled, dry kernels.

There are a few ways to tell when corn is cooked:

• Colour: Raw corn is pale yellow, whereas cooked corn kernels are a bright yellow colour.
• Texture: Raw corn kernels are hard, while cooked corn kernels are tender and can be pierced easily with a knife. They should not be mushy or tough.
• Taste: You can also taste the corn to check if it's cooked to your preference. It should be tender and a bit soft, but still crisp with your preferred texture.

If you're boiling corn, it will take around 3 to 5 minutes to cook. If you put the corn in the water before it boils, it may take up to 10 minutes. Remember to turn the corn occasionally to ensure even cooking.

When grilling corn, it's best to use a very hot BBQ and cook the corn for around 10 minutes, turning it every couple of minutes. The corn is ready when it has charred bits and the kernels are tender.

How long to soak corn before grilling

Grilling corn on the cob is a delicious way to prepare this versatile vegetable. It can be cooked with or without the husk, and each method has its pros and cons.

If you are grilling with the husk on, it is recommended that you soak the corn in water first. This will help to prevent the husks from burning and will also add moisture to the corn during cooking. The corn should be soaked for a minimum of 30 minutes, but for best results, it should be soaked for between one and two hours. Soaking the corn for longer than eight hours is not recommended, as it will become too soft and salty.

To prepare the corn for grilling with the husk on, first pull down the husk from the top of the corn towards the stem, without detaching it. Remove the silk from the corn, then pull the husk back over the corn. Place the corn in a large pot or sink full of cold water and leave it to soak.

After soaking, remove the corn from the water and shake off any excess. Place the corn on a preheated grill, turning it every few minutes to ensure even cooking. The corn will take around 12-15 minutes to cook, depending on the temperature of the grill.

Grilling corn without the husk will result in a smokier flavour and more charring. This method is good if you want to add more char marks to your corn, or if you are making a dish that benefits from a smokier flavour, such as grilled corn salad or Mexican Elote. Simply place the corn on the grill, turning it every few minutes, until it is tender.

Frequently asked questions