Chili Lime Corn on the Cob Perfect for Summer Grilling

Summer grilling calls for vibrant, tasty dishes, and there’s nothing better than Chili Lime Corn on the Cob. This recipe bursts with flavor and adds a kick to your BBQ. I’ll guide you through picking fresh corn, mixing the perfect chili lime dressing, and grilling it to perfection. Ready to impress your friends and family? Let’s dive into this fun and delicious summer treat!

Ingredients

Fresh Corn

For this dish, I always choose sweet corn. It has a nice flavor that shines when grilled. Use four ears of corn, husked and cleaned. Fresh corn is best, but frozen corn works too. If you go for frozen, make sure it’s thawed first. Grilling fresh corn brings out its natural sweetness.

Spices and Seasonings

The magic of flavor comes from the spices. You will need:

– 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 1 teaspoon chili powder

– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

– 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

– 1 lime, juiced and zested

– Salt and pepper to taste

These spices give the corn a zesty kick. The chili powder adds heat, while the smoked paprika brings depth. Lime juice and zest brighten the flavors, making every bite refreshing.

Toppings and Garnishes

Toppings make this dish pop! I recommend:

– 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as a substitute)

– Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Cotija cheese adds a creamy texture and a salty bite. The cilantro gives a burst of freshness. Together, they elevate the corn to gourmet status. For the full recipe, check out the complete guide to Chili Lime Corn on the Cob.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Corn

Start by husking the corn. Remove all the green leaves and silk. Rinse the ears under cold water. This helps clean off any dirt. I love using fresh, sweet corn for this recipe. It makes the dish taste amazing. You can use frozen corn too, but fresh corn adds the best flavor.

Making the Chili Lime Dressing

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Squeeze in the juice of one lime and add the zest. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until it looks smooth. This dressing gives the corn a spicy and zesty kick. You can adjust the spice level based on your taste.

Grilling the Corn

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you use a stovetop grill pan, set it to medium heat. Brush the corn with half of the chili lime dressing. Make sure every kernel gets some flavor. Place the corn on the grill. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning often. You want it to be tender with nice char marks. After grilling, brush the corn with the rest of the dressing. Top with crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Enjoy this tasty treat on a summer day! For the full recipe, see the details above.

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting the Grill Marks

To perfect those grill marks, start with clean grates. This helps the corn not stick. Heat your grill to medium-high. When it’s hot, place the corn at a 45-degree angle. This angle gives you nice, deep marks. Turn the corn every few minutes to get even charring. Aim for about 10-12 minutes of grilling. You want a balance of char and tenderness.

Enhancing Flavor with Marinades

The magic of chili lime corn comes from the marinade. Use olive oil, chili powder, and lime juice. This mix adds depth and zing. Brush half on the corn before grilling. Save the rest for after grilling. The lime juice will brighten the corn’s natural sweetness. If you want more heat, add cayenne or extra chili powder.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the corn hot off the grill. Sprinkle it with cotija cheese right away. This helps the cheese stick to the warm corn. Finish with fresh cilantro for color and flavor. You can also squeeze more lime juice over the top. Serve with lime wedges on the side. This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a side for tacos. For the full recipe, check out Chili Lime Zesty Corn on the Cob.

Variations

Vegan Option

To make a vegan version of chili lime corn, skip the cotija cheese. Instead, use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. It adds a nice umami taste without dairy. You can also drizzle a little extra lime juice for brightness. The chili lime dressing keeps it tasty and fresh.

Spicy Twist

If you love heat, add some diced jalapeños to the dressing. You can also sprinkle cayenne pepper on top after grilling. This spicy twist gives your corn a kick. You can adjust the spice level to fit your taste. Just start with a little and add more if you like it hot.

Different Cheese Alternatives

You can switch up the cheese based on your preference. Feta works great as a substitute for cotija. You might also try queso fresco for a lighter taste. If you want a creamier touch, use goat cheese. Each cheese brings its own unique flavor, so feel free to experiment!

For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe].

Storage Info

Short-term Storage

After grilling, let the corn cool down. Wrap the corn in foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This method keeps the corn fresh and juicy. If you keep it in an airtight container, it will last even longer. Just make sure it is tightly sealed. This way, you can enjoy the flavors of chili lime corn later.

Freezing Corn on the Cob

If you want to save corn for later, freezing is a great option. Start by husking the corn and removing the silk. Blanch the corn in boiling water for 4-5 minutes. Then, plunge it into ice water to stop the cooking. Once cooled, wrap each ear in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped corn in a freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can. Frozen corn will stay good for up to six months.

Reheating Tips

When it’s time to enjoy your corn again, there are easy ways to reheat it. You can grill it again for a smoky flavor. Heat your grill to medium and cook for about 5 minutes, turning often. Another option is to use the microwave. Wrap the corn in a damp paper towel and heat for 1-2 minutes. This keeps the corn moist. You can also reheat it in a skillet with a little butter for extra flavor. No matter how you heat it, your chili lime corn will taste great!

FAQs

How do I choose the best corn for grilling?

To pick the best corn, look for bright green husks. The kernels should be plump and firm. Press the kernels with your thumb; they should feel full and juicy. Avoid corn with dry or brown husks. Fresh corn tastes sweeter and grills better.

Can I make Chili Lime Corn on the Cob ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the corn in advance. Husk the corn and mix the chili lime dressing. Store both in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. When ready to grill, brush the corn with the dressing. This saves time and keeps the flavor fresh.

What other seasonings can I use?

You can play with different spices to change the flavor. Try cumin for warmth or cayenne for heat. You can also use lemon zest instead of lime for a different twist. Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra flavor. Enjoy making this dish your own!

We explored how to create the best Chili Lime Corn on the Cob. First, we reviewed key ingredients like fresh corn and spices. Then, I shared step-by-step instructions for preparing, dressing, and grilling the corn. We discussed tips for great grill marks and flavor boosts. You can try fun variations, like vegan options or spicy twists. Finally, I covered storage tips for your leftovers. Enjoy making this dish that’s bright, tasty, and sure to impress!

For this dish, I always choose sweet corn. It has a nice flavor that shines when grilled. Use four ears of corn, husked and cleaned. Fresh corn is best, but frozen corn works too. If you go for frozen, make sure it’s thawed first. Grilling fresh corn brings out its natural sweetness. The magic of flavor comes from the spices. You will need: - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon chili powder - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 lime, juiced and zested - Salt and pepper to taste These spices give the corn a zesty kick. The chili powder adds heat, while the smoked paprika brings depth. Lime juice and zest brighten the flavors, making every bite refreshing. Toppings make this dish pop! I recommend: - 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as a substitute) - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish Cotija cheese adds a creamy texture and a salty bite. The cilantro gives a burst of freshness. Together, they elevate the corn to gourmet status. For the full recipe, check out the complete guide to Chili Lime Corn on the Cob. Start by husking the corn. Remove all the green leaves and silk. Rinse the ears under cold water. This helps clean off any dirt. I love using fresh, sweet corn for this recipe. It makes the dish taste amazing. You can use frozen corn too, but fresh corn adds the best flavor. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Squeeze in the juice of one lime and add the zest. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until it looks smooth. This dressing gives the corn a spicy and zesty kick. You can adjust the spice level based on your taste. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you use a stovetop grill pan, set it to medium heat. Brush the corn with half of the chili lime dressing. Make sure every kernel gets some flavor. Place the corn on the grill. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning often. You want it to be tender with nice char marks. After grilling, brush the corn with the rest of the dressing. Top with crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Enjoy this tasty treat on a summer day! For the full recipe, see the details above. To perfect those grill marks, start with clean grates. This helps the corn not stick. Heat your grill to medium-high. When it's hot, place the corn at a 45-degree angle. This angle gives you nice, deep marks. Turn the corn every few minutes to get even charring. Aim for about 10-12 minutes of grilling. You want a balance of char and tenderness. The magic of chili lime corn comes from the marinade. Use olive oil, chili powder, and lime juice. This mix adds depth and zing. Brush half on the corn before grilling. Save the rest for after grilling. The lime juice will brighten the corn’s natural sweetness. If you want more heat, add cayenne or extra chili powder. Serve the corn hot off the grill. Sprinkle it with cotija cheese right away. This helps the cheese stick to the warm corn. Finish with fresh cilantro for color and flavor. You can also squeeze more lime juice over the top. Serve with lime wedges on the side. This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a side for tacos. For the full recipe, check out Chili Lime Zesty Corn on the Cob. {{image_2}} To make a vegan version of chili lime corn, skip the cotija cheese. Instead, use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. It adds a nice umami taste without dairy. You can also drizzle a little extra lime juice for brightness. The chili lime dressing keeps it tasty and fresh. If you love heat, add some diced jalapeños to the dressing. You can also sprinkle cayenne pepper on top after grilling. This spicy twist gives your corn a kick. You can adjust the spice level to fit your taste. Just start with a little and add more if you like it hot. You can switch up the cheese based on your preference. Feta works great as a substitute for cotija. You might also try queso fresco for a lighter taste. If you want a creamier touch, use goat cheese. Each cheese brings its own unique flavor, so feel free to experiment! For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. After grilling, let the corn cool down. Wrap the corn in foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This method keeps the corn fresh and juicy. If you keep it in an airtight container, it will last even longer. Just make sure it is tightly sealed. This way, you can enjoy the flavors of chili lime corn later. If you want to save corn for later, freezing is a great option. Start by husking the corn and removing the silk. Blanch the corn in boiling water for 4-5 minutes. Then, plunge it into ice water to stop the cooking. Once cooled, wrap each ear in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped corn in a freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can. Frozen corn will stay good for up to six months. When it’s time to enjoy your corn again, there are easy ways to reheat it. You can grill it again for a smoky flavor. Heat your grill to medium and cook for about 5 minutes, turning often. Another option is to use the microwave. Wrap the corn in a damp paper towel and heat for 1-2 minutes. This keeps the corn moist. You can also reheat it in a skillet with a little butter for extra flavor. No matter how you heat it, your chili lime corn will taste great! To pick the best corn, look for bright green husks. The kernels should be plump and firm. Press the kernels with your thumb; they should feel full and juicy. Avoid corn with dry or brown husks. Fresh corn tastes sweeter and grills better. Yes, you can prepare the corn in advance. Husk the corn and mix the chili lime dressing. Store both in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. When ready to grill, brush the corn with the dressing. This saves time and keeps the flavor fresh. You can play with different spices to change the flavor. Try cumin for warmth or cayenne for heat. You can also use lemon zest instead of lime for a different twist. Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra flavor. Enjoy making this dish your own! We explored how to create the best Chili Lime Corn on the Cob. First, we reviewed key ingredients like fresh corn and spices. Then, I shared step-by-step instructions for preparing, dressing, and grilling the corn. We discussed tips for great grill marks and flavor boosts. You can try fun variations, like vegan options or spicy twists. Finally, I covered storage tips for your leftovers. Enjoy making this dish that’s bright, tasty, and sure to impress!

Chili Lime Corn on the Cob

Elevate your summer BBQs with this irresistible Chili Lime Zesty Corn on the Cob recipe! Burst with flavor from spices, fresh lime, and cotija cheese, this quick 20-minute dish is perfect for any gathering. Grilled to perfection, each bite is a delightful blend of zesty and savory. Ready to impress your guests with a tasty twist on a classic? Click through now to explore the full recipe and bring some zest to your table!

Ingredients
  

4 ears of sweet corn, husked

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 lime, juiced and zested

1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta, for a substitute)

Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using a stovetop grill pan, place it over medium heat.

    In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and pepper. This will be your delicious chili lime dressing.

      Brush the husked corn evenly with about half of the chili lime dressing to ensure every kernel is coated.

        Place the corn on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are slightly charred and tender.

          Once cooked, remove the corn from the grill and immediately brush it with the remaining chili lime dressing.

            Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese over the hot corn, allowing it to stick to the dressing.

              Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.

                Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

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