Grilled corn with ginger-scallion butter is a sweet, savory, slightly charred veggie side dish that’s perfect for all your summer meals. This is a mouthwatering twist on classic grilled corn on the cob so serve it all season long at picnics and barbecues.
There are so many ways to enjoy sweet grilled corn. Try Grilled Corn Salad and Grilled Corn with Miso Butter, and Miso Scallion Corn Soup next.
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Nothing beats fresh corn on the grill so whenever the weather gets warm, I love to make this recipe. If you’ve ever bitten into a juicy ear of grilled corn then you know exactly what I mean. Butter and salt are a given but when I add fresh ginger and scallions to the mix, the true magic happens!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy – With just a few simple ingredients, this dish takes just 15 minutes of grilling time.
- Great Flavor & Texture – Boiled corn on the cob is great but grilled is even better! The slight crunch of the kernels comes from a smokey char that enhances the sweet corn flavor.
- Customizable – Although I love the seasoning for this recipe, corn is a blank slate so season it however you’d like!
Tools You’ll Need
- Pastry Brush
- Grill or Grill Pan
Ingredients You Will Need for Grilled Corn
This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients so make sure you use high-quality stuff!
- Ears sweet corn – The husks should be intact when you purchase the corn.
- Avocado oil – Brush this on the corn for a golden brown char.
- Quality salted butter – Ensure it is room temperature so it is easier to mix.
- Aromatics – I use finely chopped scallions, grated garlic cloves, and garlic ginger.
- Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt – A sprinkle of this makes the other flavors pop.
How To Grill Corn
Prepare your butter before grilling corn on the cob so it’s ready to go.
Ginger-Scallion Butter
Add all ingredients to a bowl. Mash and mix with a fork until well combined. Set aside. Can be made 1-2 days before.
Grilled Corn
- Heat your grill to medium-high.
- Remove the husks, pulling them down towards the opposite end. Be sure to remove and discard the corn silk. Brush corn with avocado oil then place on the grill grates. Grill them, turning occasionally until all sides are cooked through and lightly charred, 8-10 minutes.
- Transfer corn to a serving platter and slather a liberal amount of scallion-ginger-butter. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Use fresh corn on the cob for the best results. The husks should be green. While the corn is still in the husk, feel for kernels. If they don’t feel plump, don’t buy them.
- Turn the corn every 2-3 minutes so that it cooks evenly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them individually in aluminum foil. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through (about 3-5 minutes).
Variations
- More Herbs & Aromatics – You can add any flavor you want to room temperature butter and salt. If you don’t want to use ginger and scallion, try other ingredients like thyme or parsley.
- Spicy – Still using room temperature butter, try adding ingredients like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, honey, tajin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cajun seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning.
- Sweet – For a sweet twist, try adding cinnamon, sugar, lime, or honey, to the butter instead.
- Corn in Husks – Although I remove the husks, you can cook them with the husks. However, this method steams the kernels instead of charring them. If you choose to keep the husks on, soak the corn in cold water in order to prevent the corn cobs from catching fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grill corn?
Unshucked corn takes about 10-15 minutes to grill, depending on how much char you like.
Is it better to grill corn in husk or foil?
If you choose to cover the corn, it’s best to grill the corn in the husk. This produces tender kernels.
Do you have to boil fresh corn before grilling?
No. Although some recipes suggest boiling corn before adding it to the grill, doing so removes some of that iconic sweet flavor.
Looking for More Side Dishes?
- Korean Corn Cheese
- Gruyère and Parmesan Potato Stacks
- Cherry Tomato Confit
- Easy Caesar Salad Recipe
- Easy Southern Baked Beans
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Grilled Corn with Ginger-Scallion Butter
Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
Corn
- 6 ears sweet corn, with husks on
- avocado oil, for brushing
- 1 stick quality salted butter, room temperature
- 3½ tablespoons scallions, finely chopped
- 2 large cloves garlic, grated
- ½ teaspoon ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
Instructions
Ginger-Scallion Butter
- Add all ingredients to a bowl. Mash and mix with a fork until well-combined. Set aside. Can be made 1-2 days before.
Grilled Corn
- Heat your grill to medium-high.
- Remove the husks, pulling it down towards the opposite end. Be sure to remove and discard the corn silk. Brush corn with avocado oil then place on the grill grates. Grill corn, turning occasionally until all sides are cooked through and lightly charred, 8-10 minutes.
- Transfer corn to a serving platter and slather a liberal amount of scallion-ginger-butter. Enjoy!
