Print

Easy Cheesy Grilled Corn Recipe Perfect for Homemade Summer BBQs

easy cheesy grilled corn - featured image

A quick and easy cheesy grilled corn recipe that delivers smoky, melty, and flavorful corn perfect for summer BBQs. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (use vegan mayo if preferred)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to about 400°F (200°C), allowing 10-15 minutes to get hot.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, shredded cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  3. Husk the corn and remove all silk threads. Optionally, wrap each ear in aluminum foil after applying the spread for extra juiciness.
  4. Using a brush or small spatula, generously coat each ear of corn with the cheese mixture, covering every kernel.
  5. Place the corn directly on the grill grates and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes to achieve an even char and melty cheese without burning.
  6. Once grilled, squeeze fresh lime juice over the corn and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
  7. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.

Notes

If your cheese spread is thin, chill it for 10 minutes before spreading to help it stick better. Keep a spray bottle of water handy to control flare-ups on the grill. Use a two-zone grill setup if possible to prevent burning the cheese. Rest corn 2-3 minutes off the grill before serving to let cheese set slightly. For dairy-free version, substitute butter, mayo, and cheese with plant-based alternatives. Frozen corn can be used if fresh is unavailable, adjusting cooking time accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled corn, cheesy corn, summer BBQ, easy side dish, smoky corn, grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, summer recipes