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Grilling corn in husks is a unique method that’s absolutely worth trying! It’s easy and results in deliciously moist, sweet flavor.
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, from boiled to microwave to grilled to even oven roasted. But here’s a new method that’s won us over: grilling corn in the husk! It requires a bit of know how, but it results in a fantastic flavor: beautifully moist and sweet, with a nutty nuance from roasting in the husk.
Grilling corn in husk: pros and cons!
The standard method for grilling corn? Shuck it and place it right onto the grill grates, so it gets beautifully charred. Another popular method is grilling corn in foil, which comes out extremely moist but no smoky grill flavor. Grilling corn in the husk is like a combination of the two methods!
- Grilling corn in the husk results in moist, juicy corn (like the foil method) with a hint of charred nuttiness (like the grill grates method).
- Some tradeoffs? Prep takes some time: you’ll 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 grates method, and the cooking is slightly more uneven.
Is it worth it? After tasting it, we think so! We still like our perfect grilled corn method for ease of use, but this one is definitely up there flavor-wise. Plus, the husks come out fantastically blackened which looks visually impressive.
How to grill corn in the husk: basic steps
Ready to try this method? Grilling corn in the husk requires a bit of prep work, but it’s well worth it. Here are the two steps you’ll need to do that you might not think of before starting:
- You’ll need to remove the silk. Yes, it’s a little fussy! 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. So 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 them to get even blackening on the outside of the husk.
Again, the prep work is worth it! Grilling corn in the husk gives it a roasty, charred flavor but keeps it moist instead of drying out (like in our Perfect Grilled Corn method).
Make it a meal!
Once you’ve got your lovely charred corn in the husk, it’s totally showy! It’s perfect for a grilled summer meal, cooked up with your favorite proteins, grilled sides, or a summer salad. Here are a few of our favorite ways to make a summer-time dinner:
- Add grilled fish like Grilled Salmon in Foil, Grilled Shrimp Salad, or Grilled Fish Tacos
- Try a burger like Classic Salmon Burgers, Portobello Burgers or this Grillable Veggie Burger
- Add grilled sides like Grilled Veggie Kabobs, Grilled Peppers, Grilled Potatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Tomatoes, Grilled Broccolini and Grilled Broccoli.
- Opt for salads like Watermelon Salad with Mint, Easy Tortellini Salad, Classic Three Bean Salad or Quick Black Bean and Corn Salad.
More ways to cook corn on the cob
How to cook corn on the cob? Let us count the ways! As we noted above, there are pros and cons to each method. Here’s a breakdown:
- Try grilled corn cooked right on the grates (a favorite!)
- Opt for impossibly moist grilled corn in foil
- Go for tried and true boiled corn
- Go super quick with microwave corn
- Test out easy oven roasted corn
- Make deliciously creamy Mexican grilled corn (or elote salad!)
This grilled corn in husk recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Print
How to Grill Corn in the Husk
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Grilling corn in husks is a unique method that’s absolutely worth trying! It’s easy and results in deliciously moist, sweet flavor.
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.
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Grilling corn in husk, grilled corn on the cob in husk, how to grill corn in the husk
Let us know if you have any questions!
★★★★★
Double the cook time
★★★★
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.
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!
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.
Don’t bother pulling the silk before hand just cook it with it on it slides off when cooked.
★★★★
Going to try corn tonight.
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👊
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!
Great simple recipe and the result was delicious corn!!!
★★★★★