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The smell of the grill on a warm day instantly signals summer. Grilled Parmesan Garlic and Basil Corn on the Cob turns a simple side into something special—sweet corn grilled to perfection. Brushed with garlic butter, and coated with Parmesan and fresh basil. Like Italian street corn.

3 corn cobs with garlic butter, Parmesan and basil


Popular since 2017, this recipe now includes a step-by-step video. Inspired by Mexican street corn, it adds an Italian twist, turning plain corn into a tasty garlic Parmesan corn.

Table of contents

Ingredients

  • Garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Corn on the cob
  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil

Roasting garlic on the grill


There are a few tasty flavor elements in the corn toppings, starting with the roasted garlic butter. In addition, it also acts as the glue for the Parmesan. Roasting it on the grill—just like in the oven—tames the strong, raw flavor and turns the cloves into sweet, nutty gems.

Roasted garlic butter


Start the garlic butter by wrapping a whole garlic bulb in aluminum foil with a drizzle of oil, then grill it alongside the corn. It is then mashed in a small bowl with softened butter.

Parmesan with corn


A delicious sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil creates an amazing coating full of cheesy, herb-packed flavor. Moreover, it also adds a boost of protein.

3 corn cobs that are grilled and covered with cheese, garlic and herbs

How to cook corn on the grill


Grilling corn is incredibly simple. Just remove the husks and silks, then place the corn cobs directly on your outdoor grill. Skip the butter or oil—unless you’re going for fiery, flame-kissed kernels. You can also use an indoor grill pan. No need to wrap, skip the foil—direct grilling gives it that perfect char and brings out its natural sweetness.

You can see all the colors in this salsa, yellow, red and green
Esquites Mexican Street Corn Salad in a glass bowl with fresh limes
A black bowl filled with corn chowder and red peppers on a board with sliced bread

More corn recipes


Summer is all about keeping things simple, fresh, and full of flavor—and corn is one of those ingredients that never gets old. Whether you grill it, toss it into a salad, or stir it into something creamy and comforting, there are countless easy ways to enjoy it.

  • Quick & Easy Grilled Corn Salsa
    This salsa features grilled corn combined with tomatoes, onions, chiles, and lime juice. Offering a fresh and zesty accompaniment to any grilled proteins and vegetables.
  • Esquites Mexican Street Corn Salad
    A deconstructed version of Mexican street corn, this salad combines cooked corn with onion, serrano pepper, spices, and a chili-lime mayonnaise, topped with cotija cheese.
  • Mexican Grilled Corn and Squash Salad
    This hearty salad pairs grilled corn with zucchini and a flavorful dressing, making it a perfect side dish for summer gatherings.
  • Slow Cooker Corn and Pepper Cheese Dip
    A creamy and cheesy dip featuring corn and peppers, ideal for serving with chips or as a topping for grilled dishes.
  • Summer Corn Chowder
    A light, dairy-free soup that utilizes sweet summer corn, red pepper, and potatoes, offering a comforting dish that can be enjoyed even in warmer weather.
A closeup showing the grated Parmesan and basil coated corn

Serving grilled corn


These is the best barbecue side dish. It pairs perfectly with Hot Dogs, Burgers, and Grilled Chicken.


If you’ve made my Grilled Parmesan Garlic and Basil Corn on the Cob, please leave a star rating in the recipe. You can also leave a comment below or ask a question.

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Yield: 4

Grilled Parmesan, Garlic and Basil Corn on the Cob

Grilled corn on the cob.

Sweet corn on the cob is simply grilled, then coasted in a roasted garlic butter, Parmesan and fresh basil.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 bulb garlic, very top cut off to expose the cloves
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 4 ears of corn with husks pulled back or removed
  • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup (75 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 teaspoons fresh basil, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill on high.
  2. Drizzle the garlic bulb with oil and wrap in aluminum foil. Turn one side of the grill down to medium heat and add the garlic to the grill 15 minutes before the corn.
  3. Add the cobs to the grill and grill until each side gets a little char, turning often and checking so they don’t burn. About 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Remove both the corn and the garlic.  Open the foil to allow the garlic to cool so you can handle it.
  5. Cover the corn with foil to keep warm while you make the butter.
  6. To a bowl add the softened butter, the cooled garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Mash and mix well.
  7. To a plate add the Parmesan cheese and basil, mix well.
  8. Spread the butter all over the corn cobs, then roll in the Parmesan and basil. Serve warm.

Notes

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1 ear
Amount Per Serving Calories 268Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 47mgSodium 605mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 2gSugar 4gProtein 8g

This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.

© Janette
Cuisine: American / Category: Side dishes