Here’s an easy way to cook corn on the cob: grilled corn in foil! Wrap it in aluminum foil and it’s mostly hands off while you grill the rest of the meal.

Grilled corn in foil

What’s summer without the smell of charcoal and a big pile of corn on the cob? Here’s a new easy way we’ve discovered to cook corn: grilled corn in foil! Our all-time favorite way is perfect grilled corn, which cooks right on the grill grates and gets just the right char on the outside. But it requires a little babying to get it just perfect. Want a method that’s mostly hands off? Use the foil method. You can essentially “set it and forget it” while you make the rest of your grilled dinner. (Oh, and add potatoes in foil for a totally foil meal!)

More ways to cook corn? Go to How to Cook Corn on the Cob.

Ingredients for grilled corn in foil

All you need are a few ingredients for grilled corn in foil: and let the grill do the rest of the work! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Corn on the cob, ripe and in season (goes without saying!)
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Other toppings, as necessary (see section below)

Don’t want to fire up the grill? Try this classic Boiled Corn on the Cob or Microwave Corn on the Cob.
Got a smoker? Try Smoked Corn on the Cob.

Grilled corn in foil

How to make grilled corn in foil: a few tips!

All you really need to know for making grilled corn in foil is the grill temperature and the cook time. Once you’ve got that down: memorize this recipe and make it on repeat! There’s one other thing to remember about the foil. Here’s what you need to know (or jump to the recipe):

  • Preheat a grill to medium high heat: that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the corn on foil and season. Rub it with olive oil, cover with salt and pepper, and then place a few pats of butter on top.
  • Wrap the corn in foil loosely! When you go to wrap the corn in foil, seal the edges but don’t make the wrapper too tight. Then poke a few holes in the aluminum foil to allow air to escape.
  • Grill 20 to 25 minutes, turning occasionally. Check the corn to see if it’s bright yellow and cooked; the timing will depend on the exact grill temeprature.
Elote recipe (Mexican Street Corn)
Mexican street corn (elote) takes grilled corn to new heights

Toppings for grilled corn

Here’s the fun part: the toppings for this grilled corn in foil! Just the butter, salt and pepper in the recipe below is tasty enough. But if you want to get a little fancier, here’s what we recommend:

  • Fresh parsley, cilantro or chives. A little thinly sliced green herb looks lovely (we used cilantro).
  • Paprika or smoked paprika. A sprinkle of red adds color and flavor.
  • Old Bay. This famous seasoning is perfect on corn (use purchased or homemade).
  • Mexican street corn (elote). One of the very best ways to eat corn is as Mexican street corn (elote): a creamy, spiced sauce, sprinkle of cheese, lime and cilantro. It’s heavenly!
  • Ranch. Try this ranch seasoning on corn: it’s surprisingly good!
  • Greek seasoning. This Greek seasoning features basil, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder: perfect for sprinkling on corn.
Grilled corn in foil

This grilled corn in foil recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use coconut oil or vegan butter.

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Grilled corn in foil

Grilled Corn in Foil


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Here’s an easy way to cook corn on the cob: grilled corn in foil! Wrap it in aluminum foil and it’s mostly hands off while you grill the rest of the meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears corn
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil or vegan butter for vegan)
  • Chopped cilantro, parsley, or chives, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
  2. Shuck the corn. Place each corn cob in a sheet of aluminum foil. Rub it with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top it with a few thin pats of butter (½ tablespoon in each packet). Seal foil around corn, sealing the edges at the top but not making it too tight. Poke a few small holes in each packet.
  3. Place the packets on the grill grates and grill for 20 to 25 minutes, turning occasionally, until corn is bright yellow and cooked.
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Grilled corn in foil, How to grill corn

More grilled vegetables

There are so many grilled vegetables to try! Try them all:

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

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