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My tips for grilling corn in the husk makes the most flavorful, juicy corn on the cob of the season. This step-by-step method makes moist, subtly charred corn every time.
What’s better than sinking your teeth into the buttery pop of flavor that is summer sweet corn? There are so many ways to cook this summer treat.
But there’s one way that always wins me over when the weather’s right: grilling corn in the husk! It requires a bit of know-how, but the result is fantastic flavor, tender kernels, and a nutty nuance.
5 Star Reader Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Great simple recipe and the result was delicious corn!!!” -Bertie
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is the way my parents grilled corn on the cob back in the 80’s. No one has the same temp and time as you guys do. Perfect! Thank you!” -Eddie
Why Grill Corn in the Husk?
My standard method for grilling corn is to shuck it and place it directly onto the grill grates, which gets a nice char and smoky flavor. Another method is grilling corn in foil, which comes out super moist but without the smoky grill flavor. Grilling corn in the husk is like a combination of these methods:
- Grilling corn in the husk results in juicy corn like the foil method, with a hint of charred nuttiness like the grill grates method.
- To prep, you’ll have have to remove the silk from each cob and soak them for at least 20 minutes. It also takes slightly longer to grill than the grate method, and the cooking is slightly more uneven.
After tasting it, though, it’s worth it! I like grilling corn on the grates for its ease, but I can’t deny the flavors of corn left in the husk. As an added bonus, the husks come out blackened, which looks impressive when you’re serving it.
What You Need
Just two things: fresh corn on the cob (with the husks still on) and water for soaking. That’s the whole prep list. Butter and salt for serving are of course a must.
How to Grill Corn in the Husk: Step by Step
Grilling corn in the husk gives it a roasty, charred flavor but keeps it moist instead of drying out. Here’s what to do:
- Remove the silk. It’s a little fussy, but here’s what to do: remove the silk of the corn, then pull the husks back up. This makes eating it easier once it comes off the grill.
- Soak the cobs for 20 minutes. The husks are going to get very blackened on the grill grates. To prevent them from catching fire, you’ll need to soak them first!
- Preheat the grill to medium-high. That’s 375 to 450 degrees.
- Grill for 20 to 22 minutes. Turn the corn to get an even blackening on the outside of the husk.
What to Serve With It
Once you’ve grilled up your corn, it’s perfect for a grilled summer meal cooked up alongside your favorite proteins, grilled sides, or a summer salad. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make a summer dinner:
- Add grilled proteins like grilled chicken thighs, grilled salmon in foil, a grilled shrimp salad, or grilled fish tacos, a favorite at my house.
- Try a burger like my classic salmon burgers, portobello burgers, or a grillable veggie burger.
- Add grilled sides like veggie kabobs, peppers, grilled potatoes, zucchini, grilled tomatoes, or grilled broccoli.
- Go for a salad like a watermelon salad, a classic three-bean salad, or my black bean and corn salad.
More Ways to Cook Corn on The Cob
There are pros and cons to each method, so it really depends on your preferences and priorities. Here are a few more ideas for this versatile side:
- Opt for impossibly moist grilled corn in foil.
- Go for tried-and-true boiled corn.
- Make it super quick with microwaved corn.
- Test out easy oven-roasted corn.
- Make deliciously creamy Mexican grilled corn or an elote salad, two of my favorite takes on the Mexican street food.
Dietary Notes
This grilled corn in husk recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the water prevents the husks from catching fire on the grill and creates steam inside the husk as the corn cooks, which is what gives this method its moist, juicy result. 20 minutes is the minimum; you can soak up to an hour if you want to prep ahead.
I recommend it. Removing the silk before grilling makes the corn much easier and more enjoyable to eat once it comes off the grill. It also helps the husks pull back more cleanly at the table. However, some commenters claim that it’s not necessary!
Peel back the husk on one ear and check that the kernels are bright yellow and cooked through all the way to the bottom of the cob. The outside husk will be deeply charred: that’s exactly what you want.
Absolutely. The recipe scales easily, just make sure you have enough grill space. You can soak a whole batch of corn in a large cooler or pot if you’re cooking for a crowd.
How to Grill Corn in the Husk
Grilling corn in husks is a unique method that’s absolutely worth trying! It’s easy and results in deliciously moist, sweet flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 8 ears corn
- Butter and salt, for serving
Instructions
- Remove the silk: Remove any loose husks from the corn cobs. Shuck the corn by peeling down the outside layers one at a time and keeping them attached, facing downwards away from the cob. Remove the silk, then pull the husks back up over the corn (it can be a bit messy, so it doesn’t have to be perfect!).
- Soak 20 minutes: Soak the corn cobs in cool water for at least 20 minutes to prevent scorching.
- Preheat: Heat a grill to medium high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Grill the corn: Place the corn directly on the grill grates and cook until the husk begins to blacken, then turn. Cook 20 to 22 minutes total, until the corn is cooked through (the outside husk will be charred). To check whether it’s done, pull back the husk on one corn to make sure it is bright yellow and cooked through all the way to the bottom of the cob. (You can err on the side of over-cooking it, since you may find the cooking is fairly uneven in the husk.) Serve immediately with butter and salt.
This is the way my parents grilled corn on the cob back in the 80’s. no one has the same temp and time as you guys do. Perfect! Thank You!
I love this method. Except since I already have the husk pulled back, I rub it generously with butter. Then give it a light sprinkle of Kinders buttery steakhouse blend.
So good.
There’s a much simpler way. No soaking. No removing silk. Throw them on the grill. Turn every 5 mins. Cook about 20 mins total. Perfection.
That’s how I’ve always done mine
This is my preferred method as well. Super simple and works great.
We’ve tried this with the husks on & it’s so sweet! We’ll be definitely doing this again! Thanks!
Great simple recipe and the result was delicious corn!!!
That sounds way to long considering boiling takes a few minutes no more than three. And I can eat for raw. Does cooking it longer make it tastier?
We love the flavor of it on the grill!
As an Iowan….and we are the king of corn, soak your corn never ever take the silk off! Don’t even open the corn. Cook, and went it’s done shuck it the silk will magically come off with the husk👊
Going to try corn tonight.
Don’t bother pulling the silk before hand just cook it with it on it slides off when cooked.
Can you add salt & butter to corn on cob before you close up the husks after removing the silk when grilling in husk? What are the positive and negative comments?
I’ve never tried it but it might work well! Please let us know if you do it.
Just a quick tip. The correct expression is to “err” on the side of caution (or overcooking in the way you used it), not “air” : )
Typo corrected — thank you so much!
Save some time and don’t remove silks. After cooking in the husk the silks fall off as you pull away the husk. Trim both ends slightly and remove loose husks. Soak and cook as directed.
I think taking it off is important. I personally think if I leave it in, it gives a burnt taste over the oh so sweetness it’s suppose to be!
The silks pull right off after cooking no adverse taste what so ever.
Double the cook time
Let us know if you have any questions!