Memorial Day Grilled Corn (Printable)

Grilled corn on the cob paired with four vibrant herbed butters for festive summer gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Corn

01 - 8 ears fresh sweet corn, husked

→ Basic ingredients

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Salt, to taste
04 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Herbed butters

05 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (divide into 4 portions of 1/4 cup each)
06 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
07 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
08 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
09 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
10 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced (divided between butters as specified)
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
14 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
15 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

# Method:

01 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400–450°F (204–232°C). Clean and oil the grates briefly to prevent sticking.
02 - Lightly brush each ear of corn with the olive oil (about 2 tablespoons total) and season all over with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Place corn on the preheated grill and turn every 2–3 minutes until kernels are lightly charred and tender, about 12–15 minutes total. Transfer cobs to a platter and keep warm.
04 - Divide the softened butter into four equal portions (1/4 cup each). In separate small bowls, combine: Parsley‑Chive Butter — 2 tablespoons parsley, 2 tablespoons chives and 1/2 clove minced garlic; Basil‑Lemon Butter — 2 tablespoons basil and 1 teaspoon lemon zest; Cilantro‑Lime Butter — 2 tablespoons cilantro, 2 teaspoons lime juice and 1/2 clove minced garlic; Parmesan‑Paprika Butter — 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Stir each mixture until homogenous; refrigerate briefly if you prefer a firmer texture.
05 - Serve the grilled corn hot with the four herbed butters in small bowls or spread each butter directly onto the cobs. Offer all variations so guests can choose their preferred flavor.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • Each herbed butter is like a choose-your-own-adventure for your corn, making it impossible to get bored.
  • Simple prep means more time enjoying the sunshine (and less time stuck in the kitchen).
02 -
  • If the butter is too cold, herbs won’t blend and you’ll end up with uneven flavor bombs—learned after a particularly patchy batch.
  • The corn finishes best when you rotate each ear gently and listen for that soft crackle, not just a timer.
03 -
  • Grill a test ear first—your grill runs hotter than you think.
  • A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt after buttering makes every kernel sing.
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