Summertime is corn season, and there's no better way to enjoy this delicious vegetable than grilled. Grilled corn is a great side dish for any summer meal, and it's also a popular addition to salads, tacos, and burritos.
But how long should you grill corn for? The answer depends on a few factors, including the type of corn, the size of the ears, and how hot your grill is. In general, however, you'll want to grill corn for about 10-15 minutes, or until the kernels are tender and slightly charred.
In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of grilling corn so that you can enjoy perfectly grilled corn every time. We'll also provide some tips for grilling corn in the oven or on a stovetop, in case you don't have a grill.
How Long to Grill Corn
Follow these key points to achieve perfectly grilled corn every time:
- Choose fresh corn
- Remove husks and silks
- Soak corn in water (optional)
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat
- Grill corn for 10-15 minutes
- Turn corn every 3-4 minutes
- Remove corn from grill when kernels are tender
- Let corn cool slightly before serving
With these tips in mind, you'll be able to grill delicious corn that's perfect for any summer gathering.
Choose Fresh Corn
The first step to grilling delicious corn is to choose fresh corn. Look for ears that are heavy for their size, with tightly packed kernels. The husks should be green and free of blemishes. Avoid ears that have brown or yellow husks, as this indicates that the corn is old.
If you're not sure if the corn is fresh, you can do a quick test. Gently squeeze the ear of corn. If the kernels feel plump and firm, the corn is fresh. If the kernels feel soft or mushy, the corn is old and should be avoided.
Another way to tell if corn is fresh is to look at the tassel at the end of the ear. If the tassel is brown and dry, the corn is old. If the tassel is green and moist, the corn is fresh.
Once you've chosen fresh corn, you're ready to start grilling. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and remove the husks and silks from the corn.
By following these tips, you can choose the freshest corn possible, which will result in the best grilled corn.
Remove Husks and Silks
Once you've chosen fresh corn, it's time to remove the husks and silks. This is a simple process, but it's important to do it carefully so that you don't damage the kernels.
- Pull back the husks.
Start by pulling back the husks from the ear of corn. Be careful not to tear the husks, as you'll need them to wrap the corn in when you're grilling it.
- Remove the silks.
Once you've pulled back the husks, you'll see the silks. These are the fine, thread-like strands that cover the kernels. Use your fingers to gently remove the silks. You can also use a soft brush to help remove the silks.
- Trim the ends.
Once you've removed the silks, trim the ends of the corn kernels. This will help the corn cook more evenly.
- Soak the corn (optional).
Soaking the corn in water for 30 minutes before grilling will help to keep the kernels moist and juicy. This is especially helpful if you're grilling the corn over high heat.
Once you've removed the husks and silks, your corn is ready to be grilled. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and follow the grilling instructions in the previous section.
Soak Corn in Water (Optional)
Soaking corn in water before grilling is an optional step, but it can help to keep the kernels moist and juicy. This is especially helpful if you're grilling the corn over high heat.
- Fill a large bowl with cold water.
Fill a large bowl or sink with cold water. The water should be deep enough to cover the ears of corn.
- Add the corn.
Place the ears of corn in the bowl of water. Make sure that the corn is completely submerged.
- Soak the corn for 30 minutes.
Let the corn soak for 30 minutes. This will give the kernels time to absorb the water.
- Remove the corn from the water.
After 30 minutes, remove the corn from the water. Shake off any excess water.
Your corn is now ready to be grilled. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and follow the grilling instructions in the previous section.
Preheat Grill to Medium-High Heat
Once you've prepared your corn, it's time to preheat your grill. Medium-high heat is the ideal temperature for grilling corn.
- Turn on your grill.
If you're using a charcoal grill, light the coals and let them burn until they're white-hot. If you're using a gas grill, turn on the burners to medium-high heat.
- Preheat the grill grate.
Once the grill is hot, preheat the grill grate for 5-10 minutes. This will help to prevent the corn from sticking.
- Brush the grill grate with oil.
To prevent the corn from sticking, brush the grill grate with a little bit of oil. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, or canola oil.
- You're now ready to grill the corn.
Once the grill is preheated and the grill grate is oiled, you're ready to start grilling the corn. Follow the grilling instructions in the next section.
By following these tips, you'll be able to preheat your grill to the perfect temperature for grilling corn.
Grill Corn for 10-15 Minutes
Once you've preheated your grill, it's time to start grilling the corn. Place the ears of corn on the grill grate. Make sure that the corn is evenly spaced so that it cooks evenly.
Close the lid of the grill and let the corn cook for 10-15 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the ears of corn and the heat of your grill. Smaller ears of corn will cook more quickly than larger ears of corn. If you're using a hotter grill, the corn will cook more quickly than if you're using a cooler grill.
During the cooking process, turn the corn every 3-4 minutes. This will help to ensure that the corn cooks evenly. You can use tongs to turn the corn.
Once the corn is cooked, it will be tender and slightly charred. The kernels should be plump and juicy. To test if the corn is done, insert a toothpick into the center of a kernel. If the toothpick goes in easily, the corn is done. If the toothpick meets resistance, the corn needs to cook for a few more minutes.
Once the corn is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it cool slightly before serving. You can serve the corn on the cob or you can remove the kernels from the cob and use them in other dishes, such as salads, tacos, and burritos.
Turn Corn Every 3-4 Minutes
Turning the corn every 3-4 minutes is important for even cooking. When you turn the corn, you expose different sides of the ears to the heat, which helps to ensure that the corn cooks evenly all the way around.
If you don't turn the corn, the side that is facing the heat will cook more quickly than the side that is facing away from the heat. This can result in unevenly cooked corn. The kernels on the side that is facing the heat may be overcooked and dry, while the kernels on the side that is facing away from the heat may be undercooked and tough.
To turn the corn, simply use tongs to grasp the ears of corn and rotate them 180 degrees. You can also use a spatula to turn the corn, but be careful not to puncture the husks.
Continue to turn the corn every 3-4 minutes until it is cooked through. You can test the corn for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a kernel. If the toothpick goes in easily, the corn is done. If the toothpick meets resistance, the corn needs to cook for a few more minutes.
By turning the corn every 3-4 minutes, you can ensure that it cooks evenly and that the kernels are tender and juicy.
Remove Corn from Grill When Kernels Are Tender
Once the corn is cooked through, it's time to remove it from the grill. You can tell that the corn is done when the kernels are tender and slightly charred. The kernels should also be plump and juicy.
To test the corn for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a kernel. If the toothpick goes in easily, the corn is done. If the toothpick meets resistance, the corn needs to cook for a few more minutes.
Once the corn is done, remove it from the grill with tongs. Be careful not to drop the corn, as the husks can be slippery.
Place the corn on a platter or serving dish. Let the corn cool slightly before serving. You can serve the corn on the cob or you can remove the kernels from the cob and use them in other dishes, such as salads, tacos, and burritos.
By removing the corn from the grill when the kernels are tender, you can ensure that the corn is cooked perfectly and that the kernels are flavorful and juicy.
Let Corn Cool Slightly Before Serving
Once you've removed the corn from the grill, it's important to let it cool slightly before serving. This will make it easier to handle and will also prevent you from burning your mouth.
- The corn will continue to cook.
Even after you've removed the corn from the grill, it will continue to cook for a few minutes due to the residual heat. Letting the corn cool slightly will stop the cooking process and prevent the corn from overcooking.
- The husks will be easier to remove.
If you're serving the corn on the cob, letting it cool slightly will make it easier to remove the husks. The husks will be less likely to stick to the kernels when they're cool.
- You won't burn your mouth.
Hot corn can easily burn your mouth. Letting the corn cool slightly will make it safe to eat without burning yourself.
- The corn will be more flavorful.
Letting the corn cool slightly will allow the flavors to develop and meld together. This will result in more flavorful corn.
To cool the corn, simply place it on a platter or serving dish and let it sit for a few minutes. You can also wrap the corn in aluminum foil to help it cool more quickly.
FAQ
Do you have questions about how to grill corn perfectly? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
Question 1: How do I choose the best corn for grilling?
Answer 1: Choose ears of corn that are heavy for their size, with tightly packed kernels. The husks should be green and free of blemishes.
Question 2: How do I remove the husks and silks from the corn?
Answer 2: Pull back the husks from the ear of corn. Remove the silks by hand or with a soft brush.
Question 3: Should I soak the corn in water before grilling?
Answer 3: Soaking the corn in water for 30 minutes before grilling is optional, but it can help to keep the kernels moist and juicy.
Question 4: What is the best temperature for grilling corn?
Answer 4: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F).
Question 5: How long should I grill the corn for?
Answer 5: Grill the corn for 10-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes.
Question 6: How do I know when the corn is done grilling?
Answer 6: The corn is done grilling when the kernels are tender and slightly charred. You can test the corn by inserting a toothpick into the center of a kernel. If the toothpick goes in easily, the corn is done.
Question 7: How do I serve grilled corn?
Answer 7: Let the corn cool slightly before serving. You can serve the corn on the cob or remove the kernels from the cob and use them in other dishes, such as salads, tacos, and burritos.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about grilling corn. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you know how to grill corn perfectly, here are a few tips for taking your grilled corn to the next level:
Tips
Here are a few tips for taking your grilled corn to the next level:
Tip 1: Use fresh, high-quality corn.
The quality of the corn you use will have a big impact on the final product. Choose ears of corn that are heavy for their size, with tightly packed kernels. The husks should be green and free ofaconsblemishes.
Tip 2: Soak the corn in water before grilling.
Soaking the corn in water for 30 minutes before grilling will help to keep the kernels moist and juicy. This is especially helpful if you're grilling the corn over high heat.
Tip 3: Brush the corn with oil or butter before grilling.
This will help to prevent the corn from sticking to the grill grate and will also add flavor.
Tip 4: Season the corn with your favorite spices.
There are many different ways to season grilled corn. Some popular options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. You can also get creative and try different herbs and spices, such as basil, oregano, and thyme.
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By following these tips, you can grill corn that is perfectly cooked, flavorful, and juicy. So next time you're firing up the grill, be sure to give grilled corn a try.
Now that you know how to grill corn perfectly and how to take your grilled corn to the next level, it's time to get grilling!
Conclusion
Grilling corn is a simple but delicious way to enjoy this summer vegetable. By following the steps in this article, you can grill corn that is perfectly cooked, flavorful, and juicy.
Here's a quick summary of the main points:
- Choose fresh, high-quality corn.
- Remove the husks and silks from the corn.
- (Optional) Soak the corn in water for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the corn for 10-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the corn from the grill when the kernels are tender and slightly charred.
- Let the corn cool slightly before serving.
Closing Message
So next time you're looking for a quick and easy summer side dish, give grilled corn a try. You won't be disappointed!