Gluten free cooks who lean into cooking with real food start by collecting recipes. This Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Butter is a summer recipe not to be missed. Corn and lime are a match made in heaven and the season is short. Creating a system to save your go-to recipes decreases decision fatigue and ensures you enjoy your favourites at peak season year after year.
For a stand out summer menu featuring corn, I love to serve this with Grilled Flank Steak and Chipotle-Honey Sauce. For a special occasion or if I'm on vacation, I might go all out starting with Grilled Shrimp Martinis and ending with Aztec Chocolate Ice Cream...because WOW!
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Ingredients
Corn deteriorates every day it sits in your fridge or travels to your grocery store. To truly enjoy the best of the season find some at a Farmers Market or roadside stand.
- Corn on the cob with husks - In this recipe I pull back the husks, remove the silks, pull the husks up to cover the corn then soak them in water.
- Butter - Real butter is the taste we're going for in this simple recipe.
- Canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce - These are smoked jalapeños in a vinegar-based tomato sauce. They provide the perfect balance of smokiness and acidity in many recipes making them addictive. To learn more, and see more recipes, check out this post, canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce vs chipotle powder.
- Limes - Corn and lime is a match made in heaven so don't skip them.
See recipe card for complete ingredient list and exact amounts.
Instructions: Entertaining Tip
The secret to cooking real food and entertaining with ease is to make the process of creating a meal all part of the fun. Whether you're churning homemade ice cream, husking corn or just removing the silks, it creates a farm-to-table vibe people love.
At our cabin my mom would pile cobs of corn on our mysterious University of Alberta cafeteria tray (no idea how we ended up with that) and send it outside to be husked or just have the silks removed. It’s a messy job but it means you're eating fresh corn.
You already know which of your guests will arrive ready to help.
Substitutions & Variations
Corn on the cob - Of course you can serve the chipotle butter and lime on boiled corn. Just make sure to try the real recipe once, just for fun.
Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce - The substitute for these is pure chipotle powder, found in the spice aisle. It will give the smokiness this recipe needs but there's nothing like canned chipotle chiles.
Get The Tools
Home cooks need a few simple tools but over time we cooks just collect kitchen paraphernalia you never knew you needed.
- Cookina grilling sheet, perfect for avoiding cross contact on shared grills.
- Plastic corn dishes, dishes with the holders or ceramic corn dishes.
- Individual corn on the cob holders or a set of 4 corn on the cob holders.
- Hand blender or food processor to puree chipotle chiles.
- My favourite, Mason jars to store those pureed chiles.
Top Tip
Make the chipotle butter a day in advance. After you've used it on the corn try it on a spicy grilled cheese sandwich, quesadilla, corn muffin or anywhere you need butter and want a touch of smoky, chile heat.
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Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Butter
Ingredients
- 8 ears fresh corn with husks
CHIPOTLE BUTTER
- ½ cup butter
- 1½ tablespoon pureed chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (about 2 chiles with sauce)
- 2 teaspoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 lime wedges
Instructions
- Pull back husks leaving them attached to the cob and remove the silks. Pull husks back up the cobs to cover completely.
PREPARE CORN
- Soak in a sink or pan of cold water for 30 minutes.
MAKE CHIPOTLE BUTTER
- In small saucepan melt butter, chipotle chiles, lime juice and salt. Cook for 1 minute to blend flavours. Set aside.
GRILLING
- Preheat barbecue to medium high.
- Remove corn cobs from water, shake off excess and place on rack above main grill (or use bricks to create a higher rack).
- Cook corn with lid closed for 30 minutes.
- Remove corn and peel back husks. Remove husks completely or tie back with string.
- Brush corn with chipotle butter and place directly on barbecue. Grill until blackened in spots, turning frequently, about 6 minutes.
- Serve hot with additional butter and lime wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
Related Recipes
Whether you're building your perfect summer menu, trying three new corn recipes or experimenting with chipotle chiles, these are posts you'll want to see.
Cinde Little
I love this butter! Slather it on burger buns, cornbread or sandwiches. Drizzle it onto cooked veggies or into soup for a little extra zip!