Savory Grilled Corn With Sweet Maple Butter
Sweet maple butter meets smoky spiced grilled corn. Boil then char corn, slice chilled maple butter, and serve hot. Make-ahead and swap tips included.
Savory, salty, and smoky spices on the corn are the perfectly match for the deliciously rich maple butter.
Submitted by: Lonnie Romero R from Chicago, IL
Yield: 6 servings
- Make maple butter by mixing room temperature butter and maple sugar, shape into a log, and chill until firm.
- Parboil corn about 5 minutes, dry, coat with spices, then finish on a hot grill to get a light char.
- Maple butter can be flavored (try cayenne for heat), made ahead, refrigerated, or frozen for later use.
Spices
Featured in this Recipe
Preparation Instructions:
thespicehouse.com
More About This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to boil the corn before grilling?
Boiling for about 5 minutes softens the kernels and shortens grill time. You can skip boiling and grill raw corn longer, or grill in the husk to steam it. If you skip boiling, expect 10 to 15 minutes on a hot grill with frequent turning.
How do I make the maple butter?
Soften butter to room temperature, mix in maple sugar until smooth, spoon onto parchment or plastic wrap, form into a log, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Slice and serve on hot corn.
Can I use unsalted butter or maple syrup instead of maple sugar?
Yes. Unsalted butter works well if you want to control salt. Maple sugar gives a spreadable texture. If you use maple syrup, reduce added liquids and chill longer so the butter firms up; the texture will be softer.
How long can I store the maple butter?
Wrapped tightly, refrigerator storage is up to 2 weeks. For longer keeping, freeze the log for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing.
Can I make the maple butter ahead of time or freeze it?
Yes. Make the butter, form a log, then refrigerate or freeze. Freeze for up to 3 months. Slice straight from slightly thawed log or move to the fridge a day before serving.
How can I get a good char if I do not have a grill?
Use a broiler on high, a hot cast iron skillet, or a grill pan. Turn ears often and watch closely so they char without burning. A gas stove over a cast iron grate also gives nice charring.
How do I add heat to the maple butter or corn?
Stir a pinch or two of cayenne or chili powder into the maple butter for sweet heat. You can also sprinkle cayenne or smoked chili on the corn before grilling for a spicier crust.
Can I use frozen or canned corn for this recipe?
Yes. Thaw and pat frozen corn dry, then pan-sear or broil to get some char. Canned corn is best for off-the-cob preparations rather than whole ears, but you can sear drained kernels in a hot skillet and finish with maple butter.
Do I have to boil the corn before grilling?
Boiling for about 5 minutes softens the kernels and shortens grill time. You can skip boiling and grill raw corn longer, or grill in the husk to steam it. If you skip boiling, expect 10 to 15 minutes on a hot grill with frequent turning.
How do I make the maple butter?
Soften butter to room temperature, mix in maple sugar until smooth, spoon onto parchment or plastic wrap, form into a log, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Slice and serve on hot corn.
Can I use unsalted butter or maple syrup instead of maple sugar?
Yes. Unsalted butter works well if you want to control salt. Maple sugar gives a spreadable texture. If you use maple syrup, reduce added liquids and chill longer so the butter firms up; the texture will be softer.
How long can I store the maple butter?
Wrapped tightly, refrigerator storage is up to 2 weeks. For longer keeping, freeze the log for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing.
Can I make the maple butter ahead of time or freeze it?
Yes. Make the butter, form a log, then refrigerate or freeze. Freeze for up to 3 months. Slice straight from slightly thawed log or move to the fridge a day before serving.
How can I get a good char if I do not have a grill?
Use a broiler on high, a hot cast iron skillet, or a grill pan. Turn ears often and watch closely so they char without burning. A gas stove over a cast iron grate also gives nice charring.
How do I add heat to the maple butter or corn?
Stir a pinch or two of cayenne or chili powder into the maple butter for sweet heat. You can also sprinkle cayenne or smoked chili on the corn before grilling for a spicier crust.
Can I use frozen or canned corn for this recipe?
Yes. Thaw and pat frozen corn dry, then pan-sear or broil to get some char. Canned corn is best for off-the-cob preparations rather than whole ears, but you can sear drained kernels in a hot skillet and finish with maple butter.
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