Corn and lime are a match made in heaven. This Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chipotle Butter is a summer recipe not to be missed. Corn season is short so make sure you have a list of your favourite recipes and try to make them all!
For a stand out summer menu featuring corn, I love this corn with Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle-Honey Sauce. If it was a real special occasion (like vacation maybe), I'd go all out and make Grilled Shrimp Martinis because wow! They're a treat for me too.
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Ingredients
Fresh corn and fresh limes are the key here. 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 a roadside stand.
- corn on the cob with husks
- butter
- chipotle chiles in adobo sauce - If these are new to you keep reading.
- limes
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Instructions: Entertaining with Ease
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 ice cream, assembling bocconcini-tomato skewers or husking corn, it creates a farm-to-table vibe you'll love.
My mom would pile cobs of corn on a cafeteria tray and send it outside to be husked. It’s a messy job but it means you're eating fresh corn. In this recipe I pull back the husks, remove the silks, pull the husks up to cover the corn then soak them in water.
You already know which of your guests will arrive ready to help out.
Substitutions
Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are smoked jalapeños in a vinegar-based tomato sauce. They provide the perfect balance of smokiness and acidity to many recipes making them addictive.
The substitute for these is pure chipotle powder, found in the spice aisle. It will give the smokiness this recipe needs and you'll find many more ways to use it.
Once you've tried it, be sure to check out this post, Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce vs Chipotle Powder. Then you'll be convinced to go and find a can of the ones in adobo sauce. I've got lots of ways to use them too.
Get The Tools
Home cooks need a few simple tools but over time we 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.
- Lots of corn on the cob holders or a set of 4-corn on the cob holders.
- Spice grinder or hand blender or food processor to puree chipotle chiles.
- My favourite, Mason jars to store those pureed chiles.
Top Tip
Make the chipotle butter in advance. Be sure to save some for this corn but try it on a spicy grilled cheese sandwich, quesadilla, corn muffin or anywhere you need butter and want to add some heat.
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 (2-4 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.
Nutrition
Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are smoked jalapeños in a vinegar-based tomato sauce. They provide the perfect balance of smokiness and acidity in many recipes making them addictive.
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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!