Easy Pellet Grill Smoked Corn on the Cob
Smoked Corn on the cob is so easy to make there’s no reason not to add it to anything you’re smoking on the pellet grill. The subtle grilled flavor brushed with butter makes this one of the best grilling side dishes ever!!
Once you make corn on the cob on the pellet grill you will never go back. The woodfire flavor combined with the butter for the best corn you’ll eat all summer. Indirect smoking gives you the perfect flavor so it doesn’t get charred and bitter like it does grilling over coals.
You can control the flavor by using flavored compound butter to help match the other dishes on the menu.
What You’ll Need
Corn: For this recipe, I used 8 ears of corn on the cob. If you can stop by a local farm stand or farmers’ market to support small businesses and local farmers with the freshest local corn. If not, you can find corn in your local grocery store.
Toppings: Top off your smoked corn with incredible flavors! I say these are optional in the recipe card, but if you want to make corn that people talk about, you don’t want to miss out on topping off your corn with1 tbsp of Old Bay Seasoning, 1 tbsp of butter, and 1 tbsp of honey.
For cooking: 1 tbsp of avocado oil.
How to remove the husks for Smoking Corn
You might notice in this recipe, I shuck the corn before cooking, and that is because the husk is not needed to smoke corn.
To remove the husks, you are going to peel back the corn husks, and depending on how many you are making, this might take a while, so get comfortable.
Once you are done peeling everything back, throw it out!
Now you need to remove the silks or silk of the corn aka the stings. You can use a brush or your fingers. Either way, get all of it or as much off as possible.
When you are done, throw it all away so the only thing you have left is a nice piece of corn waiting to get smoked!
How to Smoke Corn on the Cob
- Preheat the grill. Preheat the pellet grill to 350 degrees F.
- Clean the corn. Shuck the corn on the cob and rinse under cold water to remove any silk. Pat the corn dry and brush with a light coat of oil.
- Cook the corn. Place the corn on the cob on the grill for about 30 minutes. At this point, you can brush on any compound butter or add seasoning of choice. Cook for another 5 minutes, then remove and serve.
How long to Smoke Corn on the Cob
The cooking time for corn on the cob on a pellet grill will vary depending on a number of factors, including the type and temperature of the grill itself, as well as the amount and intensity of heat that is applied to the corn.
In general, it can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes for fully cooked pellet grilled corn on the cob, depending on the desired level of doneness. To achieve perfectly grilled corn, it is important to watch closely and adjust both the grill temperature and cooking times as needed.
Tips and Variations
Customize your smoked corn on the cob every time and never get bored! Below are some of my favorite flavor combinations and variations!
Mexican Inspired Corn. Swap out your ingredients and use butter, cilantro, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, fresh lime juice, and cotija cheese. Looking to make Elote-inspired corn on the cob? Add mayonnaise.
Jalapeno and butter. Looking to keep it simple, but want to turn up the heat? Lather in butter and some jalapeno juice for a kick. Really looking to take it up a notch, make your own jalapeno butter and sprinkle some chopped jalapenos on top before serving.
Zesty Smoked Corn. Use butter, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, and lime.
Bacon Corn on the Cob. Everything is better with bacon, and that includes corn on the cob. Top off your buttery corn with some smoked bacon bits before serving for those meat lovers!
What to serve with Smoked Corn
Serve up your smoked corn with Summer favorites like Smoked Baby Back Ribs With Bang Bang Sauce, Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger on the Grill, Pellet Grill Smoked Tri Tip, or even Grilled Ribeye Steak Sub!
If seafood is more your flavor, consider making Maryland Style Smoked Crab Cakes!
Smoking Corn on the Cob FAQs
I don’t, but I know some people do. I believe giving it a rinse under cold water is enough, but you do what is right for you.
If you have a quality smoker, it will cook the corn evenly so steaming beforehand won’t make a difference.
I’m a big advocate for using blends because I don’t like having to swap out and clean out wood chunks every time I want to smoke something.
However, if you are looking for something more flavor-pointed, I’d recommend looking into using apple, cherry, or hickory wood chips. Corn on the cob in a pellet grill is the way to go if you’d like something simple, delicious, and different!
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the best cooking method for corn on the cob will vary depending on a number of different factors. Some people recommend soaking your corn in water before grilling it to help prevent burning and improve moisture retention.
Others believe that soaking can actually cause your corn to lose flavor and become mushy.
More Ways to Enjoy Corn
How to Smoke Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 8 Ears Corn on the Cob
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
Instructions
- Preheat the pellet grill to 350 degrees F.
- Shuck the corn on the cob and rinse under cold water to remove any silk. Pat the corn dry and brush with a light coat of oil.
- Place the corn on the cob on the grill for about 30 minutes. At this point, you can brush on any compound butter or add seasoning of choice. Cook for another 5 minutes then remove and serve.