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Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil is the best way to grill fresh corn and our favorite way to make it! Grilled corn in foil packets is an easy way to make this delicious summer side dish that everyone loves and goes well with anything else you cook on the grill. You’ll love the easy clean-up, too!
One of the best things about summer is that fresh sweet corn is in season. I don’t think I could ever pick a favorite food, other than chocolate, but foil grilled corn on the cob with plenty of melted butter is definitely high on the list and one of my favorite summer side dishes.
A few years ago, I saw an easy recipe for grilled corn on the cob wrapped in foil on TV, and after trying it, we were all hooked! I even got my parents to start making it this way, and that almost never happens!
As soon as fresh corn starts popping up in the stores (no pun intended), I start buying it. In fact, we probably make this corn on the cob recipe at least once a week. Serve this summer staple at your next BBQ with steak, grilled burgers or smash burgers, grilled pork chops, beans and fresh peach crisp!
Table of Contents
Why Grill Corn in Foil?
The foil prevents the corn from burning when cooking on the barbecue. This cooking method also keeps the corn juicy and tender and helps to lock in flavor since the corn steams in the butter and seasonings.
Where to Buy the Best Corn
You can always find corn in the grocery store. If you’re in a rush, you can even buy corn already shucked. Use caution, though, as it is sometimes not that fresh as corn in the husks. Of course, buying corn from the farmers market is better, and getting it straight from the farm is the absolute best, right?! We don’t get out to the farms that often, but whenever I get the chance, I take it.
Ingredient Notes
You only need a few things to make this easy grilled corn in aluminum foil. What you don’t already have should be easy to find online or at your local grocery store. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Fresh corn on the cob
- A grill — We use a gas grill, but you can use a charcoal grill
- Heavy duty aluminum foil — no need to double wrap the corn
- Butter
- Seasonings — salt, black pepper and garlic powder
How to Grill Corn on the Cob in Foil
First, clean the corn and remove any silks. Then, I just tear off a few large pieces of foil, and stack them in a small pile. Then, I put an ear of corn in the middle of the foil, rub a little butter over it, season it and put the rest of the pat of butter on top of the corn.
Next, I make a tent with the foil by folding the ends together but leaving a gab between the corn and the top of the foil tent. When you roll the sides of the foil up, make sure there’s a little gap there too. It just allows for better air circulation when the corn is cooking.
How Long to Grill Corn in Foil
Place the corn on the top rack of the grill over medium heat. Indirect heat works best for grilling corn. You can grill meat on the bottom grill grate if you like. Flip the corn packets a couple of times on each side during the grilling process so that they cook evenly. The whole grilling time is just 15 minutes! Easy, peasy! Of course, all grills are different, so grilling time may vary with different grills.
You can open the foil to check if the corn is done — the kernels will be soft but not mushy. It might even be charred brown in a few spots, but personally, I like it this way! You won’t even need to add any extra butter over the grilled corn, but hey — no judging if you want to!
How to Store
Store any leftover grilled corn in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it’ll last for 3 to 4 days. You could freeze leftovers, but it would probably be best to remove corn kernels from the cob in order to do so. Reheat corn cobs in the oven, air fryer, or microwave.
Variations
There are a couple ways to customize this delicious corn recipe to your liking. One great way to shake things up is to simply use different seasonings. Onion powder, garlic salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper can add a different flavor to your corn.
Or, switch up your toppings. Add some parmesan cheese, cotija cheese or feta cheese to the top of the corn for some extra taste and texture.
If you’re chasing the flavor of street fairs, try making Mexican street corn. Just top your corn with cotija cheese, lime juice, pico de gallo, and crema. Use olive oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil in place of butter to make recipe this vegan friendly.
Grilling Tips
Don’t wrap the packets too tight. Leave some space at the top and sides of the packets.
Flip the corn a few times during the cooking process so it cooks evenly.
More Ways to Make Corn
You can also make this on the griddle. Growing up, we always had boiled corn on the cob, and I make it this way or Instant pot corn or microwave corn on the cob or air fryer corn on the cob when it’s too hot outside to grill.
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil
Ingredients
- 6 ears corn on the cob
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place one ear of corn at a time on a large sheet s of heavy duty aluminum foil
- Rub part of 1 tablespoon of butter over ear of corn
- Sprinkle evenly with some of the garlic powder, salt and pepper
- Place the remaining pat of butter on top of corn, and loosely wrap foil around corn so that there is space between the foil and corn, making sure ends are tightly closed. Repeat process with all ears of corn
- Arrange corn on top rack of gas grill, over medium heat, with the folded sides up. Close grill, and and cook for 5 minutes, then turn on the side and cook for another 5 minutes, then cook on the other side and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Carefully open packets — the steam is hot — place on a platter and serve
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I hope you enjoy this easy recipe for foil-grilled corn on the cob as much as we do! For more easy recipes subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media!
Made this for the first BBQ of the summer! It was great! Flavors stand out when done this way! Crisp and delicious!
Going to make corn this way from now on. So much flavor! Add what ever spices you want! Yummy!
This was so delicious and so flavorful! Thanks for the easy recipe!
This is now my favorite way to make corn on the cob.
Thought I would try these! No heating up the house and so easy and what a different flavor from boiling! My new go to!
This is definitely one of our favorite summer side dish!! It is so good!
This is a must try recipe for sure! My kids go crazy over this corn!
I’m going to make this tomorrow when we grill our burgers. Nothing is better than really good corn on the cob.