Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chili Lime Butter

Summer isn’t complete without the sweet crunch of corn on the cob. But plain corn can get boring fast. That’s why I’m sharing my favorite way to take corn to the next level – grilling it and adding a spicy, tangy chili lime butter that will make your taste buds dance!

What You Need to Know About This Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6 people
Skill Level: Easy
Heat Level: Mild to Medium
Best Season: Summer

Why Grilled Corn Beats Boiled Corn

Most folks boil their corn, and that’s fine. But grilling corn adds a whole new layer of flavor you just can’t get from a pot of water. The fire kisses the kernels and brings out the natural sweetness while adding a light smoky taste. Once you try grilled corn, you might never go back to boiled!

The Science of Sweet Corn

Did you know corn starts losing its sweetness the minute it’s picked? The sugar in fresh corn begins turning to starch right away. That’s why the freshest corn tastes the sweetest.

When you grill corn, the heat caramelizes those natural sugars, making the corn taste even sweeter. It’s like nature’s candy, but healthy!

Picking the Perfect Corn

Not all corn is created equal. Here’s how to pick the best ears for grilling:

What to Look For

Look for bright green husks that are tightly wrapped
The silk at the top should be light brown and slightly sticky
The corn should feel firm when you squeeze it gently
Peek inside to check for plump, shiny kernels

The best time to buy corn is early summer through fall. In most places, corn peaks in July and August. If you can get it from a farmer’s market or roadside stand, even better! Corn from local farms is often picked that same day, which means more sweetness.

Prepping Your Corn for the Grill

There are a few ways to grill corn, and folks often debate which is best. I’ll share the main methods so you can pick what works for you.

To Husk or Not to Husk?

You have three main options:

Grill in the husk: This steams the corn a bit while it grills and protects it from burning. The downside is you don’t get as much smoky flavor or grill marks.
Partially husk: Pull the husks back but leave them attached. Remove the silk, then fold the husks back up. This gives you some protection while letting the smoke flavor get in.
Fully husked: Taking the husks off lets the kernels get direct heat and more smoke flavor. This gives the best grill marks but requires more attention to prevent burning.

For this recipe, I prefer method #3 – fully husking the corn. The direct heat helps the chili lime butter melt into all the crevices between the kernels.

The Star of the Show: Chili Lime Butter

While grilled corn is great on its own, adding flavored butter takes it to another level. This chili lime butter is the perfect mix of heat, tang, and richness.

Making the Magic Butter

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter, softened
2 limes (you’ll use the juice and the zest)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped fine (leave this out if you don’t like cilantro)

Put the soft butter in a bowl. Add the zest from both limes using a grater or zester (just the green part). Then add the juice from one lime, the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, honey, and cilantro. Mix everything together with a fork until it’s all blended.

Shape the butter into a log on a piece of plastic wrap, roll it up, and put it in the fridge to firm up while you grill the corn. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step and just use the butter soft.

Grilling Your Corn to Perfection

Now comes the fun part – getting that corn on the grill!

Step-by-Step Grilling Instructions

Heat your grill to medium-high (around 400°F).
Remove the husks and silk from each ear of corn.
Brush each ear lightly with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
Place the corn directly on the grill grates.
Close the lid and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Open and rotate the corn a quarter turn.
Repeat until all sides have some nice grill marks (about 10-15 minutes total).

The corn is done when the kernels are bright yellow and have some brown grill marks. Don’t overcook it or the corn will get dry and tough.

No Grill? No Problem!

If you don’t have a grill, you can get a similar effect using other methods:

Grill pan: A ridged grill pan on your stove works great.
Broiler: Put the corn on a baking sheet and broil, turning every few minutes.
Campfire: Wrap the husked corn in foil with a little butter and cook in the hot coals.

Serving Up Your Flavor-Packed Corn

Once your corn is grilled to perfection, it’s time for the grand finale – adding that amazing chili lime butter!

The Big Finish

Take your corn straight from the grill and slather it with the chili lime butter. The heat from the corn will melt the butter, letting it seep into every nook and cranny.

For extra flavor and a pretty look, you can add more toppings:

A sprinkle of extra chili powder
Some crumbled cotija or feta cheese
More fresh cilantro
A squeeze of fresh lime juice
A light dusting of smoked paprika

Serve the corn right away while it’s hot. Make sure you have plenty of napkins on hand – this is deliciously messy eating!

Make-Ahead Tips for Easy Entertaining

If you’re cooking for a crowd, you can do some prep work ahead of time:

Prep in Advance

The chili lime butter can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Just let it soften a bit before using.
You can husk the corn a few hours before cooking. Wrap it in damp paper towels and store in the fridge to keep it fresh.
For a party, grill the corn just before guests arrive, then keep it warm in a low oven (200°F) wrapped in foil.

Variations to Try

Once you master the basic recipe, try these tasty twists:

Different Flavor Combos

Mexican Street Corn Style: Use the chili lime butter, then add mayo, cotija cheese, and a sprinkle of tajin seasoning.
Italian Herb: Replace the chili and lime with Italian herbs, parmesan cheese, and a dash of balsamic glaze.
Sweet and Spicy: Add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the butter and increase the chili powder.
Curry Corn: Swap the chili powder for curry powder and use lemon instead of lime.

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

What makes this recipe so great is the balance of flavors. The sweet corn plays perfectly against the tangy lime and spicy chili. The butter adds richness that carries all those flavors right into the corn.

Plus, it’s an easy recipe to adjust based on what you like. Want it spicier? Add more chili powder or some cayenne. Like it tangier? Use more lime. It’s hard to go wrong when you start with fresh corn and these simple, tasty ingredients.

Health Benefits of Corn

Corn isn’t just tasty – it’s good for you too! Here are some of the health perks:

Nutritional Powerhouse

Corn has fiber, which is good for your digestion
It contains antioxidants that help protect your eyes
Corn provides energy through complex carbs
It’s naturally gluten-free for those with sensitivities

Of course, adding butter ups the calories, but a little goes a long way with this flavorful recipe. And hey, it’s still a vegetable!

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, I’ve heard lots of questions about grilling corn. Here are the most common ones:

Common Corn Queries

Should I soak corn before grilling? If you’re grilling in the husk, soaking can help prevent burning. For husked corn, no soaking needed.

How do I know when corn is done? The kernels will be bright yellow, slightly softened, and have some brown grill marks.

Can I use frozen corn? Fresh is best for this recipe, but if you only have frozen corn, thaw it first and use a grill basket.

How much butter per ear of corn? About 1-2 teaspoons per ear is plenty with this flavorful butter.

Final Thoughts on Grilled Corn

Grilled corn with chili lime butter is one of those simple recipes that always impresses. It’s easy enough for a Tuesday night dinner but special enough for your backyard BBQ party.

The next time you see fresh corn at the store or farmer’s market, grab some and fire up your grill. This might just become your new favorite summer side dish. In my house, we make it at least once a week during corn season!

Remember, the key to great corn is keeping it simple but adding that special touch – in this case, our zesty chili lime butter. Happy grilling!