It’s such a big misconception that vegetables are bland, tasteless, and boring.
Oftentimes, I find that the majority of people who share this sentiment simply don’t know how to prepare their veggies correctly.
That’s why I’m setting the records straight by putting one cropped vegetable in the spotlight: the corn on the cob.
Corn season typically starts in May and ends in September.
Of course, this timeline will vary depending on where you live, but under normal circumstances, corn tends to bloom and flourish during the hotter seasons.
During these months, there is plenty of sweet corn you can buy from nearby farmer’s markets and grocery stores.
And while you’re absolutely welcome to prepare your corn with plain butter and salt, there are other more creative (and tastier) ways to go about it.
Here are six of my favorite recipes that can take your BBQ game to the next level.
1. Mexican Street-Style Grilled Corn (aka Elote)
We’re starting strong with a recipe that packs a punch in terms of flavor. This is the Mexican street-style grilled corn recipe, also known to locals as elote.
Elote is popular in Mexico because it’s accessible, affordable, and easy to eat (especially when you’re on-the-go).
But what makes elote so special? Elote is a juicy corn on the cob, hot off the grill that’s slathered in a creamy, tangy mayo sauce.
Elote also has zesty chili powder, salty cotija cheese, fresh lime juice, and a topping of chopped cilantro to really make the flavors pop.
I mean, just hearing about all these mouthwatering ingredients, it’s no wonder this Mexican street-style grilled corn has become a total sensation for locals and tourists alike.
Lucky for you, I’m sharing an easy elote recipe that you can make at home.
First, grill four ears of shucked corn.
To it, smear a mixture of a quarter-cup each of mayonnaise and sour cream, and half a cup of crumbled cotija cheese (if cotija cheese is not available, feta cheese is a good substitute).
For your toppings: add a healthy amount of chili powder, fresh chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Once it’s completely coated in all this goodness, go ahead and dig in!
2. Grilled Corn With Spicy Lime
From the first recipe alone, it’s clear that adding flavor to a veggie like corn is a surefire way of making it more appealing to a wider audience.
So, if flavor is what you want, that is exactly what you’ll get with this spicy lime grilled corn variation.
Start by grilling four pieces of corn on the cob. Make sure your grill is lightly oiled or buttered to avoid sticking.
Then, brush on a mixture of two tablespoons of melted butter (or olive oil), a quarter-cup of lime juice, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
Don’t forget to add salt, black pepper, and freshly chopped cilantro to finish it off.
When you’re done, you should have a sweet, spicy, and citrusy veggie that you can eat on its own or as a side to your main course.
I usually like pairing spicy lime grilled corn with main dishes like grilled shrimp skewers, BBQ pork chops, veggie burgers, and short ribs.
3. Grilled Corn With Garlic Parmesan
One of my favorite ingredients in the entire world is cheese. I love all kinds of cheese, but I’m quite partial to sharp cheeses.
So, if you’re like me, this garlic Parmesan grilled corn is for you. This is a recipe that I keep coming back to over and over again — especially during BBQ season — and I’ll tell you why.
The Parmesan cheese adds creaminess and nuttiness, while the garlic adds smoky and nutty notes that make this treat so delicious.
Take a look at the steps below to make your own version of grilled corn with garlic Parmesan at home.
The first step is to grill four ears of fresh corn for about eight minutes.
While you wait for your corn to soften and cook through, you can move on to the next step, which is making the garlic parmesan coating.
All you need to do to make the coating is to melt two tablespoons of butter in a saucepan or the microwave. Then, add two cloves of minced garlic and a quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese.
If you finish making your sauce before your corn grills completely, just set it aside for now.
Once your corn is tender, the last step is to brush your melted garlic parmesan butter over the crop vegetable and garnish with a sprig of parsley as a finishing touch.
4. Herb Butter Grilled Corn
Elevating the taste of vegetables shouldn’t be such a challenge. Most of the time, it’s about learning the flavor combos that work.
At this point, we’ve seen how the flavor of corn complements spices, cheese, and garlic. But these are not the only ingredients corn tastes good with.
Corn also works well with herbs, which is why this herb butter grilled corn recipe is so delicious. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make.
Start by grilling four ears of corn until soft and a little bit charred. Then coat the kernels with your homemade herb butter.
If you don’t have a homemade recipe for your herb butter yet, here’s mine.
My herb butter recipe goes like this: first, I leave a stick of unsalted butter (which is about four tablespoons) at room temperature until it softens.
Then, I transfer it to a bowl and add two tablespoons of chopped herbs. I usually choose fragrant herbs like thyme, basil, chives, and rosemary because they add a more noticeable aroma to my butter.
If you want, you can add other herbs like cilantro, parsley, and dill to yours. It all depends on your personal preference.
So, whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ party or just looking to jazz up your dinner plate, this herb butter grilled corn is the way to go.
5. Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Corn
Taking it up a notch, we’re adding everyone’s favorite ingredient to this corn on the cob recipe: bacon.
Simply grab a pack of store-bought bacon and four ears of fresh corn. Wrap raw strips of bacon around your corn and grill for about 10 to 12 minutes.
While the corn is grilling, melt a stick of salted butter and set it aside.
After the bacon-wrapped corn is cooked through, brush it with your melted butter, and give it a taste.
Imagine biting into a crunchy strip of bacon wrapped around a piece of tender and juicy corn on the cob.
As you continue to devour this bacon-wrapped goodness, you’ll notice that every corn kernel is infused with the irresistible savory taste of the seasoned pork belly.
So, if you have guests who are picky eaters or kids who don’t like to eat their veggies, this might just be the recipe you need to change their minds.
6. Ranch and Bacon Grilled Corn
Another bacon and corn recipe that might interest you is this ranch and bacon grilled corn. This creative twist on a favorite is a great way to spice up your next BBQ party.
When you make this, grill your corn as usual. Then, brush it with a blend of rich, creamy butter and zesty ranch dressing.
I find that the ranch adds a little bit of tartness while the bacon adds a smoky and crispy flavor to the already sweet and juicy corn on the cob.
If you want, you can even up the ante by squeezing lemon juice and drizzling a healthy amount of chives.
Believe me, one bite of this ranch and bacon grilled corn and you won’t want to go back to eating corn with just salt and butter.
Up Your BBQ Game With These Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipes
Get ready to impress your guests in the next cookout because now you know six different ways to prepare grilled corn and elevate your BBQ game.
Once you get the hang of making these recipes at home, let your creativity run wild and add your own personal touches.
As I said earlier, the key is to learn the different flavors that will taste great together.
Now, will every recipe succeed? Maybe not — but that’s all part of the fun!
You might fail along the way, but you will also discover surprising new flavor combos that might become go-to favorites.
