Corn is one of those veggies, that once in season, I fully prepare myself to gorge on all summer long. Or, at least to the point of getting tired of eating it, so once it’s gone I can try and be patient till it’s back again the following year. The corn we get is local, or local enough, usually from New Jersey and it’s super sweet and tender.
One of the easiest and best ways to cook corn? Throw it on the grill. No massive pot of boiling water, no fussy prep—just simple, charred, sweet corn that goes perfectly with any BBQ spread. And trust me, you don’t need to wrap it in foil or soak it in water first. If your corn is fresh, all you need is a hot grill and a few minutes.
For this recipe, I keep things simple with a quick oil rub and a little salt and pepper before grilling. Then, to take it up a notch, I slather it in sour cream and top it with crumbled queso fresco, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. It’s creamy, tangy, salty, and just a little smoky—the perfect combo.
I’ve seen, and tried, a few different grilled corn recipes and methods before. Some wrap the corn in foil, others soak it in water, blah blah blah. This is all unnecessary. Just throw it on the grill.
Perfectly grilled corn topped with lime, sour cream, cilantro and queso fresco
This easy grilled corn recipe is packed with flavor—charred to perfection, slathered in sour cream, and topped with queso fresco, lime zest, and fresh cilantro. The perfect summer side dish for BBQs
I might also add that if you get really good fresh corn, you certainly don’t need to top it like I did here, salt will suffice. But, I think cilantro and cheese generally makes everything better, so I went on with it.
All the prep that’s needed is pulling back the husks, removing the silk and tying back the husks to make a nice handle. Probably not necessary, but it makes for a nice photo. You can easily just peel the corn if you don’t have the patience. And, once it’s grilled up you just slather and top with some sour cream, queso fresco, lime zest and lots of cilantro. You can use whatever you like, just make sure to tell me about any good topping combos you have in the comments!
Why Grilled Corn Will Be Your Favorite Summer Side
- Quick & easy: Cooks in under 10 minutes.
- No boiling required: Skip the giant pot of water. Just throw it on the grill alongside some chicken to use in a Grilled Chicken and Peach Salad
- Versatile: Pairs well with everything from Grilled Chicken Tacos, to simple Grilled Scallops.
- Perfect for BBQs: Grill it alongside your main dish like burgers or Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas.
The Best Corn for Grilling
Fresh, sweet corn is key! If you can get local corn from a farm stand or market, even better. Look for ears with bright green husks and silky, moist strands. If your corn is super fresh, you can even eat it raw—makes a nice quick snack.
How to Grill Corn Without Foil
Forget the extra steps. Just peel back the husks, remove the silk, and tie the husks back to create a handle (or just peel them completely—it’s up to you). Rub the corn with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill over medium-high heat, turning every couple of minutes until tender and slightly charred.
Ingredients to Make This Grilled Corn Elotes Recipe
- 4 ears corn
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup queso fresco, crumbled
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- Cilantro, chopped
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
How To Make Easy Grilled Corn with Queso Fresco, Cilantro and Lime
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Peel back the husks, remove the silk, and tie the husks back to create a handle. (Or remove completely.)
- Rub the corn with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place corn on the grill, turning every few minutes, until lightly charred and tender (about 8–10 minutes).
- Remove from the grill and spread each ear with sour cream.
- Sprinkle with queso fresco, lime zest, and chopped cilantro.
- Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!
Topping Ideas & Flavor Variations
I love the sour cream, queso fresco, lime, and cilantro combo, but you can mix it up! A few variations are below:
- Classic Butter & Salt: Simple but always good.
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Add mayo, chili powder, and cotija cheese.
- Parmesan & Garlic Butter: Melted butter with minced garlic and grated parmesan.
- Smoky Chipotle: Mix chipotle powder with sour cream for a spicy kick.
FAQs
Can I grill corn without husks?
Yes! You can grill corn with or without husks. Removing the husks gives you more char, while leaving them on steams the corn slightly.
What’s the best way to store grilled corn?
Store leftover grilled corn in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the grill or in a skillet.
Can I make grilled corn ahead of time?
Yes! Grill the corn ahead of time and reheat it on the grill or under the broiler before serving. Add toppings right before serving for the best texture and flavor.
More Grilling and BBQ Recipes To Try:
Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas – This mouthwatering grilled skirt steak fajitas recipe features a bold chipotle-orange marinade and perfectly charred veggies. This easy fajita recipe delivers big flavor right at home.
Grilled Zucchini With Fresh Ricotta and Basil – A simple recipe for grilled zucchini topped with creamy ricotta, fresh basil, and lemon. Perfect as a summer side dish or appetizer.
Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad – This grilled chicken and peach salad combines curly endive, grilled corn and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. A fresh and vibrant salad perfect for summer grilling!
Grilled Chicken Paillard – Grilled chicken paillard topped with a fresh orange, grapefruit and fennel salad.
Grilled Eggplant – Grilled eggplant with fresh ricotta cheese and a parsley and harissa gremolata
Easy Grilled Scallops With Chimichurri – This grilled scallops recipe is simple, quick, and packed with flavor. Perfectly seared scallops get topped with a bright chimichurri sauce for an easy seafood dinner!
Grilled Chicken Tacos – Delicious, marinated grilled chicken tacos with a sweet and spicy orange adobo marinade. Perfect for summer grilling or taco night!
Did you make this recipe?
Did you try this Easy Grilled Corn recipe? Leave a comment and review below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
Grilled Corn
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn
- 1/2 C sour cream
- 1/2 C queso fresco crumbled
- 2 limes cut in wedges
- cilantro chopped
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- First thing is to prep that corn. I just pulled back the husks, removed as much silk as I could and then tied back the husks with some kitchen twine to make a nice little handle. Rub the corn with some oil, salt and pepper.
- When you’re ready, toss it on a hot grill and turn every few minutes. It shouldn’t take long, you just want it to be tender with a little bit of char, not totally burnt and dried out.
- Once it’s done on the grill, slather with some sour cream and top with your queso fresco, lime zest and cilantro. That’s it, eat up!
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
2 thoughts on Easy Grilled Corn with Cilantro & Queso Fresco
I like the toppings. I also like the simple prep. Yum!!