This grilled corn on the cob cooks up perfectly sweet and tender in minutes on the grill and is amazing brushed with a flavorful basil butter!
If you’re not grilling your corn this summer (and every summer, let’s be honest) you’re definitely doing it wrong!
This grilled corn is hands-down the easiest way we’ve ever discovered to cook corn in the summertime and doesn’t involve heating up your kitchen with boiling water either.
Plus we’re pairing it with a pretty snazzy basil butter which takes things completely over the top in corn land.
The level of ease we’re talking here is utterly insane too. 10 minutes tops to grill your corn, 5 more minutes to whip up your butter and we’re in the corn business.
Your summer cookouts are about to be fire this year, FYI.
This Grilled Corn features…
- Smoky grilled sweet corn on the cob
- A flavorful homemade basil butter
- Minutes to make and the easiest way to cook corn in the summertime
Making the Grilled Corn
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic
- Basil
- Corn
- Olive oil
How To Prep Corn For Grilling
There are several methods to grilling corn, but we prefer the method where you remove the husks and silk prior to grilling. It makes it much easier to serve and only requires a little prep beforehand!
The best part is you can prep this corn way ahead of time by removing the husks and silk and storing the corn in the refrigerator for up to 4 days prior to grilling.
Tips for Perfect Grilled Corn
- Make basil butter before grilling – ideally, you want your butter made up and ready to go before grilling so the corn can be brushed with the butter the moment after coming off the grill.
- Preheat grill – you want your grill hot and ready to go before adding the corn.
- Brush corn with olive oil – this ensures that your corn won’t stick to the grill grates.
- Flip corn frequently – we don’t recommend leaving the grill once you put the corn on. It will not take long to cook and you’re going to want to turn it frequently so all sides get evenly charred.
- Brush on butter while corn is warm – this will help the butter melt and evenly distribute itself all over the corn.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this grilled corn.
- Grill different veggies alongside corn – try sweet pepper, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, or summer squash.
- Use different herbs in butter – try minced chives, parsley, or cilantro.
- Make it spicy – top corn with red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Add cheese – try sprinkling corn with grated Parmesan or cotija cheese.
Stovetop Instructions
Don’t have a grill? You can still make this recipe! Follow these instructions for cooking the corn on the stovetop.
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large cast iron skillet (or brush over a large cast iron grill pan) Once pan is hot, add corn and pan sear several minutes until corn is slightly charred and bright yellow.
It’s the herby basil butter that just takes this grilled corn COMPLETELY over the top! The corn is perfectly sweet, juicy, and just a little smoky from the grill and tastes like all the best parts about summer.
Trust me, once you start making your corn like this there’s no going back!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Watch this sweet corn made step-by-step on Google web stories.
More summer corn favorites to try next!
- Pesto Zucchini Orzo with Charred Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato Corn Chowder
- Charred Sweet Corn Zucchini Curry
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Basil Butter
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 ears corn, husk and silk removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, and basil until creamy. Season butter with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
- Preheat a grill to 400F OR lightly grease a grill pan to use on the stovetop. Rub corn all over with olive oil.
- Grill corn on preheated grill, turning occasionally until corn is slightly charred and bright yellow, about 5-8 minutes of cooking.
- Remove corn from heat and immediately brush with basil butter while warm and season with additional salt and pepper to taste if needed. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was updated with new photos and recipe tips on 7/6/23.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Oh yum! Herbed butter sounds amazing and basil is LIFE. My family isn’t super traditionally American, but we always have a ton of corn on the cob around this time of year 🙂
Sarah says
It isn’t summer without good ‘ol sweet corn! And yes, totally agree—Basil IS life! 😀
Allison says
I too, am obsessed with grilled veggies! I’m anxiously awaiting the corn to come out where I live, but it should just be a couple of weeks. Can’t wait to throw some on the grill. And a flavoured butter? Doesn’t get much tastier!
Sarah says
Oh gosh, you HAVE to try this grilled corn the second you get your hands on some, Allison! 😉
Annie @Maebells says
Grilled corn is pretty much the best thing ever. I look forward to it all year! Love the idea of basil butter, my basil plant is totally out of control!
Sarah says
My basil plant is going nuts too! And I’ve been using it in basically everything. 😉
Rachael | Spache the Spatula says
Corn and basil (in my mind) go together like peanut butter and jelly! I looove grilled corn slathered in flavored butters! This looks fab!
Sarah says
Thanks, Rachael! And IKR? Basil and corn is just the tastiest summer combo ever!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
I love grilled veggies, Sarah. And what can I say about your basil butter???!!! Looks AWESOME 😉
Sarah says
Thanks Olivia! The basil butter pretty much just MAKES this corn. 🙂
Mary says
The corn looks wonderful – the basil butter is a treat! lovely lovely recipe
mary
Sarah says
Thank you, Mary!
ami@naivecookcooks says
Girl, grilled corn on the cob is my favorite snack of all time and that basil butter = Brilliant!!
Sarah says
Haha! Thanks Ami! Grilled corn is pretty much my new fav snack too! Happy 4th, girl! 🙂
Isadora @ she likes food says
Grilled corn on the cob is the absolute best way to eat corn on the cob! And this basil butter?! Yes please! I want it all over my corn on the cob! Basil and corn go so well together and I bet it tastes amazing! I have to work on the 4th of July, but I will make sure to at least enjoy some grilled corn when I get off!
Sarah says
Grilled is SO my new fav way to enjoy sweet corn! Awesome stuff. 🙂 And aww…I feel for you having to work on the 4th, Izzy! You should totally have 10 pieces of this corn to make up for that!
GiGi Eats says
I want to put that basil butter on EVERYTHING!!
Sarah says
I pretty much HAVE been putting it on everything—can’t get enough of it! 😉
Joanne says
Tragically I don’t have a grill…but I do have an oven for roasting my corn! I’m sure it won’t exactly be the same…but that the basil butter will make up for any inconsistencies.
Sarah says
Oven-roasting would totally work for this corn, Joanne! It’s ALMOST as good as grilled and the basil butter would totally fix it up. 😀
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This corn looks divine, Sarah! Love the idea of grilling, so much more flavour! And that basil butter sounds delicious.
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Jess! 🙂
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Ha, thanks for the green mustache warning. Much appreciated! We love grilled corn. This corn looks delicious!
Sarah says
Haha! Thanks Cindy! 😉
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
That basil butter looks amazing! Fresh corn is one of the best things about summer. Hope you and your family are enjoying your holiday weekend!
Sarah says
Thanks Christin! Corn is definitely MY one of my fav things about summer! Hope you had a great weekend too, girl! 😉
Ashley says
We grill corn on the cob all the time but I have never made basil butter to go with it!!! That is definitely happening next time! Hope you had a great July 4th! Ours was really nice – lots of delicious food!
Sarah says
The basil butter just MAKES this corn. You’ve gotta try it next time you grill corn, Ashley! Glad you had a fun weekend, girl!—ours was great too! 🙂
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I love corn on the cob. Like, obsessed. And now I’m wondering why I’ve never spread basil butter on it?! It looks fantastic!!! YUM!
Sarah says
Thanks, Chris!! You should definitely try the basil butter next time you grill up some corn! 😉
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Ok, first…I LOVE corn on the cob – especially in the summertime on the grill…but when I saw that butter, my mouth watered! I can see that drizzled over grilled steaks, chicken, seafood – YUM! Pinned!
Sarah says
I’ve been putting this basil butter on just about all of the above. LOL. It’s just so dang good! Thanks for the pin, Kristi!