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Flavorful Grilled Corn Recipe with Easy Zesty Chipotle Lime Butter

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A quick and easy grilled corn on the cob recipe featuring a smoky, tangy chipotle lime butter that adds bold flavor and a perfect summer treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husks removed but silk left intact
  • ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 to teaspoons chipotle chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (sea salt preferred)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Remove the green husks from each ear of corn, leaving the silk intact. Rinse under cold water to remove any remaining silk strands. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with chipotle chili powder, fresh lime juice, lime zest, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth. Stir in the finely chopped cilantro if using. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F (205°C). If using charcoal, wait until the coals are glowing red with a light layer of ash.
  4. Place the ears of corn directly on the grill grates. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes using tongs to ensure even char without burning. The corn should be tender and slightly browned in spots.
  5. Remove the corn from the grill and immediately slather on a generous amount of the chipotle lime butter while the corn is still hot, allowing it to melt into the kernels.
  6. Optionally, sprinkle a little extra salt or lime zest on top and serve immediately. To keep warm, wrap loosely in foil.

Notes

Keep the silk on during rinsing to retain moisture while grilling. Apply the chipotle lime butter immediately after grilling for best flavor absorption. Rotate corn frequently to avoid burning. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil. If chipotle powder is unavailable, smoked paprika with cayenne can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled corn, chipotle lime butter, summer recipe, barbecue side dish, easy grilled corn, smoky corn, zesty corn, vegetarian, gluten-free