Bbq Corn: Foil-Wrapped Sweetness

how to cook corn on the bbq in foil

Grilling corn on the cob in foil is a quick and easy way to cook corn, locking in moisture and flavour. It's a great option for BBQs, potlucks, cookouts and mid-week meals, and can be cooked alongside your main dish. This method avoids the need to boil the corn first and creates a steam chamber to cook the corn to tender-crisp doneness. The foil also helps to avoid flare-ups caused by butter leaking out of the corn and catching fire.

Characteristics Values
Grill temperature 350-450°F
Prep time 5-10 minutes
Cook time 15-30 minutes
Total time 20-40 minutes
Corn 4-6 ears
Butter 1/2-4 tbsp
Other toppings Salt, pepper, garlic powder, chives, olive oil, cumin, cayenne pepper, cilantro, paprika, Old Bay, lime, Greek seasoning, ranch

shungrill

How to prepare corn for grilling in foil

Ingredients

You will need corn on the cob, butter, and seasonings of your choice. For seasonings, you can use salt and pepper, or get creative with garlic powder, cumin, cayenne, paprika, or cilantro.

Method

First, preheat your grill to a medium-high heat of around 350-450°F.

Next, shuck the corn and clean the cobs, removing any remaining silk strings. Then, either drizzle the corn with oil or rub with butter and your chosen seasonings (except salt).

Now, wrap each cob in aluminum foil. Don't wrap the corn too tightly, as you want to allow for air circulation within the parcel. If using regular kitchen foil, use a double layer to protect the corn from direct heat and to prevent leakage.

Place the foil parcels on the grill grates and cook for 20-25 minutes, turning the corn every few minutes to prevent scorching. The corn is ready when it is bright yellow, tender, and lightly charred.

Once cooked, carefully unwrap the corn, add more butter and seasonings, and serve immediately.

Tips

  • You can make garlic butter by mashing butter with salt, garlic powder, and pepper, and then rubbing it on the corn before wrapping in foil.
  • Don't salt the corn before cooking, as this will draw out moisture and make the corn drier.
  • For extra charring, you can remove the foil for the final minute or two of grilling to achieve a more intense colour and flavour.
  • Always use fresh corn, as this will give you the sweetest and juiciest results.

shungrill

How to grill corn in foil

Ingredients

To grill corn in foil, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Corn on the cob
  • Butter (unsalted or salted)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic powder (optional)
  • Other seasonings of your choice (e.g. cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, cilantro, parsley, chives)

Method

  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 350-450°F).
  • Prepare the corn by cleaning the cobs and removing any remaining silk strings. You can also remove the husks or keep them on, depending on your preference.
  • Season the corn by drizzling it with melted butter or olive oil, and sprinkling it with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, or paprika.
  • Wrap each cob in aluminium foil. Make sure to double wrap the corn in two layers of foil to prevent leaks and ensure even cooking.
  • Place the foil-wrapped corn on the preheated grill and cook for 8-10 minutes on each side, turning occasionally, for a total of 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove the corn from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Be careful of the hot steam when opening the foil.
  • Serve the corn with additional butter, salt, pepper, or other desired toppings.

Tips

  • If you are using butter inside the foil, be careful not to overuse it as it may cause flare-ups on the grill.
  • Don't wrap the foil too tightly around the corn, as it needs air circulation to cook properly.
  • You can also cook the corn in the oven at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, or on a stovetop over a direct flame for 6-10 minutes.
  • Always use heat-proof tongs to handle the corn and be careful of hot steam when opening the foil.

shungrill

How to season corn grilled in foil

Grilling corn in foil is a great way to lock in moisture and achieve a sweet and juicy result. Here are some tips and tricks to perfectly season your corn grilled in foil.

Firstly, clean the corn cobs by removing any remaining silk strings. You can then choose to drizzle the corn in oil or rub it with butter and your desired seasonings. For a classic flavour, stick to butter, salt, and pepper. However, if you're feeling adventurous, you could try a lemon dill butter, or even a garlic butter. If you're making garlic butter, simply mash butter with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

When wrapping the corn in foil, be sure to wrap each cob individually. Double-wrapping the corn in two layers of foil can prevent leaks and protect the corn from direct heat. Seal the foil tightly, but don't make the wrapper too tight—you still want to allow for some air circulation within the parcel. Poke a few small holes in the foil to allow steam to escape.

Place the corn on a preheated grill set to medium-high heat (around 350-450°F). Grill the corn for 15-20 minutes, turning the cobs every few minutes to prevent scorching. Once the corn is lightly charred and cooked through, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes to cool down. Carefully unwrap the corn, being mindful of the hot steam, and serve with your desired toppings and seasonings.

shungrill

How to avoid overcooking corn grilled in foil

Grilled corn on the cob in foil is a great way to cook corn on the grill. The foil pouch creates a steam chamber to cook the corn to tender-crisp doneness with the best bite. Here are some tips to avoid overcooking corn grilled in foil:

  • Preheat your grill to the right temperature: Most recipes recommend preheating your grill to medium-high heat, around 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit, or 180-230 degrees Celsius.
  • Timing is key: Depending on the heat of your grill, the corn will need to cook for around 15-25 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the corn and not leave it on the grill for too long to avoid overcooking. Check the corn a few times after about 18 minutes to catch it when it's perfect.
  • Flip the corn: To ensure even cooking, it is a good idea to flip the corn halfway through the grilling time. Carefully open the foil packets, flip each ear of corn, and reseal the foil before placing it back on the grill.
  • Don't wrap the foil too tightly: When wrapping the corn in foil, it is important to allow for air circulation within the parcel. This will help prevent overcooking and ensure that the corn cooks evenly.
  • Use fresh corn: The fresher the corn, the better the results. Fresh corn will be sweeter, juicier, and less likely to overcook.
  • Don't salt the corn before cooking: Salt can extract moisture from the corn, so it is best to add salt and other seasonings after grilling.
  • Be careful with indirect heat: If you are cooking the corn over indirect heat, it may take a few minutes longer to cook. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
  • Let the corn rest: After grilling, let the corn rest in the foil for a few minutes. This allows the steam to finish cooking the corn and keeps it juicy.

shungrill

How to reheat corn grilled in foil

Grilled corn on the cob in foil is a delicious, juicy, and smoky summer staple. But what if you've cooked too much? Here's how to reheat grilled corn in foil to retain that sweet, smoky flavour.

  • I recommend reheating the corn wrapped in foil in the oven at 350ºF/180ºC for 5-10 minutes. This helps to lock in moisture and keep the corn juicy.
  • If you're looking for more char, you can remove the foil for the final minute or two of reheating. This will give it a little extra char without drying out the corn.
  • You can also place the corn back on the grill over medium-high heat for a few minutes, turning it frequently to avoid burning.

Tips for Reheating Corn:

  • It's best to use the freshest corn available, as it will retain its sweetness and juiciness.
  • Avoid reheating grilled corn in the microwave, as it can become soggy.
  • Don't reheat the corn for too long, or it may become mushy.
  • Only add butter, salt, and other seasonings after reheating, as these can be lost in the reheating process.

Enjoy your juicy, smoky grilled corn on the cob!

Frequently asked questions

It takes between 15-25 minutes to cook corn on the BBQ in foil.

The grill should be preheated to a medium-high heat, between 350-450 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is recommended to wrap each cob individually if you are cooking a lot of corn at once. This will help it cook faster and hold heat better.

Yes, it is recommended to double wrap the corn in foil to prevent leaks and reduce the risk of flare-ups.

Popular toppings include butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cilantro, paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and Mexican street corn (elote).

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