When sweet summer corn starts showing up at the market in June, there’s one cooking method chefs keep coming back to: the grill.  There are two easy ways to do it. I recommends shucking the corn, brushing it with oil or butter, seasoning it with salt and pepper, and grilling it over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every few minutes. But I usually prefer grilling corn in the husk for 15 to 20 minutes, which helps steam the kernels and keeps them from drying out.

The biggest mistake? Overcooking it. Fresh corn cooks quickly, and too much time on the grill can leave the kernels tough instead of juicy and sweet. The key is medium heat, frequent turning, and pulling it off as soon as it’s tender with a little char.

As for toppings, chefs still love the classics: butter and salt. But grilled corn also takes well to bigger flavors. Cingari likes Mexican-style elote with mayonnaise, Tajín, and cotija cheese, while Miranda recommends a simple dusting of garlic salt or chile-lime seasoning. For something unexpected, he brushes corn with a mixture of honey, coconut milk, and butter while it grills for a sweet-savory glaze.

If you have leftovers, cut the kernels off the cob and toss them into salads, fold them into cornbread batter, or use them anywhere you want a burst of summer sweetness.

BASIC METHOD FOR GRILLING THE CORN

In Mexico, street vendors grill corn and slather it with a creamy, spicy sauce, topped with lime juice and chili powder.  We find that grilled corn is the only way to go, with or without the sauce.  You can do it on a griddle as well, if you are snowed in, but it really should be done on the grill if at all possible.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4-6 ears of corn in the husks (one or more per person)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Butter

DIRECTIONS:

Soak corn, leaving it in the husk (simply removing any exposed tassels) in cold water for approximately 15 minutes in a large pot or bucket, if time permits, but this step can be omitted if the corn is very fresh and the husks moist.  Preheat grill to high.  Place the corn on the hot grill.  Tender in about 20 minutes (test one to see, but the husks will generally be blackened nearly throughout).

The husks will blacken and you may need to spray with water to reduce flames.  I use high heat on my grill, but if you have a really hot grill, you may need to reduce the heat or reduce the cooking time.  They are usually done when the husks are nearly burned all the way around.

FIRST WAY – SIMPLY WITH BUTTER AND SALT ON THE COB

Roll back the husks, wrapping them in a paper towel, which makes a convenient holder.  Roll in butter, salt and pepper to taste.  Or for a Mexican version of this, roll in cilantro lime mexican crema, topped with cotija and chili powder. Or get the spicy version rolled in crushed Takis (Mexican Doritos).  

SECOND WAY – GREEN CHILE CORN SALSA

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 large Hatch chiles, roasted and diced
  • 3 large ears of corn, husked and kernels cut from cob (can substitute about 3½ cups frozen corn kernels, thawed)
  • 1/2 c. sour cream
  • ⅓ c diced red onion
  • ⅓ c chopped fresh cilantro
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Dash of cumin
  • Dash of smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
 
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Grill corn, per instructions above.
  2. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of the diced Hatch chiles, sour cream, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and paprika in with the corn kernels. Salt to taste. If your salsa is too mild, add more diced chiles to taste.

THIRD WAY – GRIDDLE METHOD WITH MEXICAN DRESSING

Preheat a grill pan. Rub corn with oil and place on the grill pan, turning corn so all sides are charred, about 6 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix together mayonnaise, chili powder, garlic salt, and black pepper. Remove corn from grill and brush with the mayonnaise mixture. Serve with lime quarters to squeeze over corn.  For the dressing brush it with:
  • melted butter, as needed
  • grated cotija cheese, as needed
  • For the chili mayo (makes enough for about 8 ears):
  • 1/2 cup Mexican crema (or substitute 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 3 T. sour cream)
  • 1/2 cup queso fresco or Cotija (or substitute Pecorino Romano), grated
  • 1 tbsp ground ancho chili powder or cayenne
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Kosher or French sea salt
  • juice of one lime salt to taste if needed

[ALTERNATE DRESSING]

  • 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel
  • 3/4 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce
  • 6 ears white corn, husked, and rinsed
  • chopped fresh cilantro

FOURTH WAY ELOTE KOREAN STYLE

From Bon Appetit By Hannah Ferrara

Ingredients
4 servings
Vegetable oil (for grill)
¼ cup crema mexicana or sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
Zest of 1 lime
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided
½ tsp. ancho or chipotle chile powder, plus more for serving
Kosher salt
4 ears of corn, husked
¼ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation
Step 1
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; oil grate. Stir ¼ cup crema mexicana or sour cream, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste), zest of 1 lime, 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, 1 garlic clove, finely chopped, 1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped cilantro, and ½ tsp. ancho or chipotle chile powder in a small bowl to combine. Taste sauce and season with kosher salt if needed.

Step 2
Grill 4 ears of corn, husked, turning occasionally, until kernels are charred in spots and tender, 10–12 minutes. Transfer to a platter.

Step 3
Using a brush or spoon, slather each ear with about 2 Tbsp. sauce. Sprinkle corn with more chile powder, then top with ¼ cup crumbled Cotija cheese and remaining 1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over and any remaining sauce alongside.

NOW WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT LEFTOVER CORN, MAKE PIZZA/FLATBREAD WITH BURRATA OF COURSE, FROM A GREAT NEW COOKBOOK, HOMEGROWN 

LOADED ELOTE FRIES
Our Curly Fries. Topped with roasted corn, cotija, mayo crema, cheeto dust and clinatro

For Cheeto Dust, grind 5 Tbsp Cayenne pepper 2.5 Tbsp Cheddar cheese powder 2 Tsp Coarse ground kosher salt 1.5 Tsp MSG 1 Tsp Citric acid 1 Tsp Buttermilk 1 Tsp Onion powder 1 Tsp White pepper 1 Tsp Garlic powder 3 little containers of red food dye #40