Is there anything more delicious than that first messy bite of fresh sweet corn on a hot summer day? I think not! Thanks to Florida growers, sweet corn is a staple in our home year round. Grilling season is our favorite though since making it now is as easy as tossing a few ears on the grill alongside whatever’s cooking.
Not only is sweet corn tasty, it’s a nutritious addition to your family’s meal. Whole grains, like Supersweet Corn , are an essential part of a healthy diet that have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and other health problems. Sweet corn is also full of folate and fiber. Fiber is a key element in slowing the absorbtion of sugar in your bloodstream and in aiding your digestion system.
Did you know that sweet corn is also one of the best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin? These two antioxidants can help protect against cataracts, chronic eye disease and may even help ward off heart attacks and strokes! [source]
Buying Sweet Corn
An important part of cooking with sweet corn, is learning how to purchase fresh corn. Check out this video by Fresh Sunshine Sweet Corn for corn buying tips, then come back for my grilled corn recipe below!
We found some delicious corn at a local market and I knew that I wanted to learn how to grill sweet corn my new grill {thanks hubby!}.
Grilling Sweet Corn
Grilling sweet corn is a bit new to me so I tried it two different ways over two night. We loved it both ways! For this version, you’ll want to remove the first couple layers of husk from your corn. Then, gently peel back the remaining husks and remove as much of the silk as you can.
Place your corn into a large pot and cover it with cold water. I placed a small cast iron skillet on top to keep my corn submerged. Soak the corn for 20 minutes – up to 2 hours, until ready to grill.
We grilled our first batch of corn in the husk for about 10 – 12 minutes over medium high heat on our propane grill along with burgers and hot dogs. Soaking them ahead of time seemed to produce more of a steamed corn than we were expecting.
To add a little bit of color, we peeled the husks back and placed them over the sear burner for 4 minutes before serving. This was a delicious way to serve corn on the cob. The husks served as an informal handle, great for little ones at a picnic!
Just for comparison, we made grilled corn again the next night and this time, I just trimmed off the ends, removed all of the outer husks except the last two thin layers and threw it on the grill over medium high heat.
We grilled this batch for about 15 – 25 minutes along with our pork chops, steak and drumsticks. It was delicious and this is the way I’ll be doing it from now on! Less hassle, gorgeous color and the silks just fall away!
Either way you grill sweet corn, my herb butter will amp up the flavors! You can make herb butter out of whatever fresh herbs you have growing in your garden, or checkout the Sunshine Sweet Corn site for some great healthy corn recipes!
Sweet Corn goes great with fresh herb butter!
I chose to add fresh cut chives, chopped chive flowers, parsley and lemon thyme to create my Herb Blossom Butter. This butter has a fresh spring taste and the onion-like flavor of the chives really compliments the sweetness of the corn! Adding the chive blossoms when they are available makes for a beautiful presentation!
- Fresh sweet corn on the cob (don't take the husks off!)
- 2 sticks of real butter, softened (1 cup)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh chives, minced
- 3 Tbs fresh lemon thyme, chopped
- 2 - 3 Tbs fresh chive blossoms, chopped lightly
- 2 - 3 Tbs fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 - 3 whole chive blossoms for garnish
- salt to taste
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, parsley, chives, lemon thyme and chive flowers until well combined. Taste to see if you need to add up to ½ tsp of salt.
- Place butter mixture into small serving dish and garnish with chive blossoms. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and chill for an hour.
- Remove from fridge 5 minutes before serving.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove outer husks of fresh sweet corn, leaving the last 2 or 3 thin layers on. Don't remove the silk, it will easily come off after grilling.
- With kitchen shears, trim the ends of husks back to corn tips.
- Place ears of corn on hot grill and cook, turning every few minutes until outer husks are charred and the corn kernels are tender, about 15 - 25 minutes depending on your grill and temperature.
- Remove corn to serving platter and serve. Guests can peel back the husks and wipe away the silks before slathering with Herb Blossom Butter!
Instead of chilling the herb butter in a serving dish, you could form the mixture into a ½" diameter log, wrap in plastic wrap and chill. When the mixture is hardened, slice into discs and serve a pat or two with each grilled cob.
About the Author
I think grilling is the ONLY way to cook summer corn. Yum!
yummy. seriously. i want some right now.
This looks SO amazing! Definitely going to have to try this asap! :)
Oh my word! I love corn and cannot wait for it to be in season here. That herb butter sounds incredible!
We LOVE grilled corn, just had some this weekend. We have never done it with the husks on (we usually do it with the shucked corn in foil), but it looks tasty that way too. The butter sounds delish with the corn. I love that you have fancy butter! :)
I love to make corn and grill it every once in a while. I do want to try your herb blossom butter!
I am dying!! Your corn looks so good, and I am going to try this method next time I make corn for sure!!
Grilled corn is SO delicious and that butter sounds awesome!
Wow! I really love the way you have written this. I will definitely try this recipe!
Hi,
Very healthy and useful post.
Thank you so much for the interesting sharing.
corn is healthy but watch out for GM corn, it’s around and being sold cheap supermarkets.
organic corn is rich with minerals like: selenium, magnesium and potassium witch boosts the body’s immune system.