Easy grilled corn on the cob that's smoky, sweet, and perfectly tender every time, no butter needed. The only way to grill corn, just sayin'.
5-Star Reader Comment
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is hands-down the best grilled corn I've ever made. Simple, smoky, and ridiculously good without butter!
– Michael
Alright, alright, alright… let's talk corn
Vegan or not, we always grilled corn on the cob growing up. Didn't matter what else was on the table-if there was corn, it was hitting the grill.
As far as I'm concerned, it's the only way to eat it. Fight me.
There's just something about that smoky char and sweet, juicy bite that you don't get from boiling.
And the best part? You don't need a bunch of fancy ingredients or even butter to make it taste amazing. Just corn, heat, and a little patience.
Shane’s Tips
- Keep the husks on if you want juicy, tender corn. They act like a natural steamer.
- Rotate every few minutes. You don't end up with one side looking like it fought a fire.
- Don't overthink it. Corn is already sweet, you're just adding smoke and char.
- Peel back the husk at the end. It’ll give you a quick char if you like those crispy edges.
Ingredients (aka the easy part)
- Fresh corn on the cob - The fresher, the sweeter. Look for bright green husks and plump kernels.
- Optional: Vegan butter - totally not required, and I’m not endorsing it, but hey, it's good.
- Salt - Brings out that natural sweetness.
- Optional extras: Smoked paprika, chili powder, lime juice, or garlic powder if you're feelin' fancy
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Place corn directly on the grill with husks on.
- Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning every few minutes.
- Husks will turn dark and slightly charred, but this is what you want.
- Carefully peel back the husks and serve as is, or throw them back on for a quick char.
That's it. No boiling. No foil. No nonsense.
Switch It Up
- Chili Lime: Lime juice + chili powder + pinch of salt
- Smoky BBQ: Brush with a little BBQ sauce in the last few minutes
- Garlic Lover: Rub with vegan mayo and garlic powder
- Street Corn Style: Vegan mayo, lime, chili powder, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast
Make-Ahead and Storage
- You can grill ahead and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat on the grill or in a skillet for the best texture.
- You can also cut kernels off and toss them into salads, bowls, or tacos.
Easy Grilled Corn On The Cob (The Best!)
- Total Time15 minutes
- Yield4 servings 1x
- DietVegan
Grilled Corn On The Cob is a great summer side dish! It’s so easy to make and is ready in 10 minutes. Slather it with my vegan Cashew Mayo and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for amazing flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn, shucked (You can buy it pre-packaged as well)
- Vegan Cashew Mayo & smoked paprika for serving
- Salt to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat grill to high. (Use a grill pan or cast-iron skillet if you don’t have a grill. Preheat to high as well)
- Add the corn to the grill, close the lid, and cook for 10-15 minutes rotating often until corn is charred on all sides.
- Remove corn from grill, spread Cashew Mayo over warm corn, sprinkle with smoked paprika, and salt to taste (optional).
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 9.1 g
- Sodium: 21.7 mg
- Fat: 2.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.4 g
- Fiber: 2.9 g
- Protein: 5.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Prep Time: 5 mins.
- Cook Time: 10 mins.
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: Vegan
FAQ
Yes, but it cooks faster and can dry out. Husk-on is more forgiving.
Nope. That's an old-school step you can skip.
Kernels will be tender and juicy when pierced with a fork.
Fresh is best here. Frozen won't give you the same texture or flavor.
What to Serve It With
Rate This Recipe
If you make this grilled corn, I'd really appreciate a 5-star rating below. It helps more folks find simple, plant-based recipes that actually taste good. Just sayin'.
~Shane
This is hands-down the best grilled corn I’ve ever made. Simple, smoky, and ridiculously good without butter!
Easy grilled corn on the cob that’s smoky, sweet, and perfectly tender every time—no butter needed. The only way to grill corn, just sayin’.