Can you cook corn on the grill without husk?

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Quick Answer

Yes, you can absolutely cook corn on the grill without the husk. The husk is typically left on when grilling corn to help protect the kernels and retain moisture. However, with some simple preparation, corn on the cob can be delicious when grilled naked. The keys are brushing the corn with oil or butter before cooking, keeping a close eye on it, and rotating frequently. Grilled corn without the husk will have a more charred, caramelized exterior and concentrated corn flavor.

Steps for Grilling Corn without Husk

Follow these steps for cooking tasty grilled corn after removing the husks:

Carefully peel back the green husks and remove the silk strands from each ear of corn.
Brush the exposed corn lightly with vegetable oil, olive oil, or melted butter. This helps keep the kernels moist and prevents them from drying out.
Season as desired with salt, pepper, spices, or herb butter. Get the seasonings into all those crevices between kernels.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. The temperature should be about 400-450°F.
Place the naked corn directly onto the hot grill grates. Make sure the ears are perpendicular to the grates rather than parallel.
Grill the corn, rotating every 2-3 minutes for even cooking. The kernels will start to lightly char.

Cook to your desired doneness, anywhere from 8-15 minutes. The corn is ready when the kernels are tender with browned, slightly charred spots.
Remove from the grill and serve immediately, adding any extra seasoning or butter.

The key is frequent rotation to cook the corn evenly without any side getting overly charred before the insides are done. Keep a close eye and use tongs to turn the ears. With the constant motion, you can get great caramelized corn flavor without over-charring.

Benefits of Grilling Corn Without the Husk

Here are some of the best reasons to try grilling your corn au naturel:

More flavor – Removing the husk before grilling lets those corn kernels caramelize and char. This adds delicious smoky, roasted flavor you just can’t get with a wrapped ear.
Textural contrast – The mixture of tender interior kernels and crispy charred exterior kernels is amazing.

Visual appeal – Grilled naked corn has beautiful, appetizing rows of golden kernels alternated with tasty charred stripes.
Less mess – Without the husk, there’s less risk of charred bits sticking to the corn. The exposed kernels are easier to eat.
Fewer barriers to seasoning – You can get herbs, spices, oil, and butter directly on the corn kernels when grilling without husks.

Give this tasty technique a try next time you fire up the barbecue! Ditch the husks and revel in the intensified corn-on-the-cob flavor.

Choosing the Best Corn for Grilling Without Husk

For the very best results when grilling corn unwrapped, select thicker, fuller ears of corn. More robust ears will hold up better on the grill without drying out. Here are some tips for picking the right corn:

Choose corn at peak ripeness and freshness for optimum moisture content.

Pick ears with tightly packed, plump kernels. Avoid ears with gaps between kernels.
Select larger, fatter ears rather than small or narrow ones.
Go for corn with green stems and fresh-looking green husk leaves.

Press kernels with your thumb to test for ideal firmness.

Fresher, higher quality corn is less likely to dry out or get leathery when cooked sans husk. Premium varieties like white, yellow, bicolor, and supersweet corn are great options.

Preventing Dryness When Grilling Corn Without Husks

Because the protective husks are gone, special measures are needed to keep that naked corn from drying out or losing moisture on the grill. Follow these pro tips:

Brush corn with oil, butter, or other fats before and during grilling. This provides a moisture barrier.
Spritz corn with a water bottle if it appears dry while grilling.
Don’t soak corn in water before grilling, as this can make it mushy. Just brush on moisture.

Grill over medium heat rather than high heat to limit kernel dehydration.
Rotate corn frequently so no sides crisp up prematurely.
Consider grilling for shorter times if corn seems overly dry.

Immediately remove corn from grill once it reaches desired doneness.

With a little vigilance and the right techniques, you can absolutely achieve tender, juicy, flavorful grilled corn without needing to use those husks as a crutch.

Alternative Grilling Methods for Corn on the Cob

While grilling shucked corn has its advantages, the traditional grilled corn with husks still intact is also delicious. Here are a few different ways you can go about grilling corn on the cob:

Grilling in the husks – Leave husks on, peel them back to remove silk, then re-cover the corn. Soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling.
Partially husked – Peel back husks halfway and remove silk. Fold back up but leave some kernels exposed.
Foil wrapping – Remove husks and silk. Wrap each ear individually in foil and grill.

Grill basket – Load up a special corn grill basket with shucked ears. Rotate basket on grill.

Don’t be afraid to try a mix of methods in the same grilling session for fun variations on corn flavor and texture.

Complementary Flavors for Grilled Corn Without Husk

While plain old butter, salt, and pepper are classics, you can also get creative with mix-ins and toppings when grilling corn that’s been shucked:

Spicy rubs with chili powder, cayenne, paprika, etc.
Herb blends such as basil, cilantro, rosemary, thyme, and sage
Spritzes of fresh lime or lemon juice

Flavored butters infused with garlic, Parmesan, or jalapeños
Crumbled cheeses like feta, cotija, or queso fresco
Smoky bacon bits or chorizo crumbles

Crema, mayonnaise, or sour cream drizzled over the top

You can also serve husk-free grilled corn on the cob with flavorful sauces for dipping, like chimichurri, harissa yogurt sauce, or Mexican crema. Get creative with mix-ins to take your grilled corn to the next level.

Tips for Grilling Corn in the Husk

Although corn can absolutely be delicious when grilled naked, there are times you may still want to grill in the husk:

Retains more moisture and prevents drying out
Less need to watch closely on the grill
More traditional grilled corn flavor

Can help add a subtle smoky taste

For the best results when grilling corn in the husk:

Always peel back husks first to remove all silk strands so they don’t burn.

Consider soaking the ears in water for 30 minutes, then drain before grilling.
Brush with oil or butter before re-wrapping in husks to help steam and cook kernels.
Grill over medium heat, turning every 5 minutes or so for even cooking.

Aim for 15-30 minutes total grilling time depending on heat level and number of ears.
Check a few kernels with a knife tip periodically to test doneness.
Remember that grilling in the husk will take longer than without.

Common Grilling Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to mess up beautifully grilled corn on the cob if you aren’t careful. Avoid these common grilling pitfalls:

Grilling at too high of a temperature which can burn the corn.
Not cleaning the corn of every last silk strand leading to charred hairs.

Neglecting to brush on oil or butter before grilling resulting in dry kernels.
Failing to rotate the ears and getting burnt sections.
Overcrowding the grill which steams rather than sears the corn.

Grilling for too long or not long enough.
Not allowing corn to rest before cutting into it, losing juices.

With close monitoring and optimal grill setup, you can avoid these pitfalls and enjoy perfect grilled corn every time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with nudging up the heat for more char or dialing it down if corn seems to cook too quickly.

Serving Suggestions for Grilled Corn on the Cob

The sweet, smoky goodness of grilled corn is delicious eaten as-is, but it also pairs well with a variety of recipes.

Here are some tasty ways to serve it up:

Cut grilled corn kernels off the cob and add to salads, salsas, or chowders

Leave on the cob and serve with grilled shrimp, sausage, or meat kabobs
Roll grilled ears in flavored mayonnaise, crema, or feta cheese crumbles
Chop grilled corn and mix into cornbread, muffins, or grits

Add to tacos, nachos, fajitas, or quesadillas
Slice kernels off and fold into omelets, frittatas, or scrambled eggs

Grilled corn’s versatility makes it a fantastic addition to so many recipes beyond just eating it bare. Mix up your menus with the smoky sweetness of corn cooked over an open flame.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Grilled Corn

Like any grilled produce, corn on the cob is best eaten immediately after cooking. But if you do have leftovers, here are some storage tips:

Let corn cool completely before storing.
Leave corn in husks if using, then place in a zip top plastic bag.

Refrigerate leftovers within 1-2 hours of cooking.
Use refrigerated grilled corn within 3-4 days.
Reheat gently either on the grill or by steaming in microwave.

Cut kernels off and add to other dishes like sautés, casseroles, etc.
Avoid freezing grilled corn, as this alters the texture once thawed.

With proper storage, you can still enjoy the fruits of your grilled corn labors for several days later. Just keep in mind that like most grilled produce, corn is best consumed fresh off the barbecue.

Common Questions about Grilling Corn on the Cob

Should you boil corn before grilling it?

Boiling corn before grilling is not necessary. Simply grilling freshly picked corn over direct medium heat for 10-15 minutes is all you need for tender, juicy results. Parboiling can make the texture less crisp.

What’s the best way to grill corn in foil?

For foil-wrapped grilled corn, husk and clean the corn as usual. Brush with butter or oil. Wrap each ear tightly in aluminum foil. Grill on medium 15-20 minutes, rotating occasionally. Carefully open foil to check doneness. The steamInside helps cook the kernels.

Is it better to grill corn with husks on or off?

This depends on your preferences! Husk on equals more protected, moist kernels. Husk off equals more flavorful, charred kernels. For beginners, grillIngIn husks is a gentler approach. But don’t be afraid to grill naked corn with proper oiling and frequent rotation.

How long does corn take to grill?

Grilling time can vary from 10-30 minutes depending on the method. Shucked corn takes 10-15 minutes. Corn in husks takes 15-30 minutes. Foil-wrapped corn takes 15-20 minutes. Just check periodically for your ideal level of kernel doneness.

Conclusion

Grilling corn on the cob without the husk may seem daunting, but have no fear. With the right prep like oiling and seasoning, close monitoring, and frequent rotation, you can achieve deliciously charred and caramelized corn straight on the grill grates. The smoky, sweet kernels are worth the extra effort. Just be sure to start with fresh, plump corn and keep a close eye during cooking. Follow these tips, and you’ll be a master at husk-free grilled corn in no time. Now get out there and fire up the grill!