When Grilling Corn On The Cob, Don't Remove The Husks

Grilling fresh corn on the cob is a tasty summer ritual for many, especially when it's eaten while creating memories at a picnic or BBQ. The last thing you want is to bite into the dried-up shells of sweet yellow kernels that once had so much promise. The trick to keeping corn on the cob moist is to leave the husks attached while you grill them. This creates a steaming effect that will keep the corn moist as it cooks over direct heat. If you've never tried it, add it to the list of summer grilling hacks you've been missing out on.

To grill corn on the cob with the husks, take an ear and trim the silk tassels at the end. Then, remove a few layers of the husk so the corn isn't so encased in them that it can't grill quickly. Apply a charitable amount of oil to a clean grill and put the ears directly over the heat. Turn it occasionally so one spot doesn't receive all the heat, and in 15 to 20 minutes, it should be done. Peek inside the husk, and if the kernels have turned bright yellow, it's time to pull them off. Let the veg cool for 5 minutes, then remove the husks and the silks. You can use a clean kitchen towel to remove any stubborn silks sticking to the corn.

Some contend that wrapping the ears in foil is the way to keep them from drying out, but this prevents the veg from taking on a smoky, charred flavor. Leaving them in their husks gives the corn an earthy sear as the husks' layers keep the kernels from burning. If you want a little bit of extra char, pull the husk back about an inch and grill that side last.

Many suggest it's imperative to soak your corn before grilling, but this isn't the case. If your produce isn't as fresh as it could be, there may be some benefit to this technique, as the kernels may have dried out some. However, if the corn is fresh, simply grilling it in the husks will keep it moist. If you're worried it may dry out, you can pull the husks back and butter the corn. Put the husks back in place, and the butter will help to steam the kernels inside. You would boil corn in butter, so why not grill it in butter too?