Flavorful Jerk Spiced Grilled Corn
This easy and vibrant jerk spiced grilled corn recipe brings a smoky, spicy, and sweet Caribbean flair to your Fourth of July cookouts or any summer gathering. Perfectly charred corn coated with a flavorful jerk butter makes a crowd-pleasing side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning blend (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon Scotch bonnet or habanero powder (optional, for extra heat)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, jerk seasoning, garlic powder, brown sugar, lime juice, salt, black pepper, and optional Scotch bonnet or habanero powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F). If using charcoal, wait until coals are covered with white ash. Lightly oil grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Husk each ear of corn and remove silk as much as possible. Optionally soak ears in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce flare-ups.
- Place ears directly on the grill. Turn every 2-3 minutes to get an even char, grilling for about 10-12 minutes until kernels are lightly blackened but still juicy.
- Remove corn from grill and brush generously with the spiced butter while still hot so it melts into the kernels.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro or parsley over the corn. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.
Notes
Soaking corn before grilling reduces flare-ups and keeps kernels juicy. Turn corn frequently to avoid burning. If butter mixture is too stiff, soften briefly in microwave. For extra smoky flavor, add soaked wood chips to charcoal or use a smoker box on gas grill. Butter can be prepared ahead and refrigerated. For vegan adaptation, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 3.5
Keywords: jerk spiced corn, grilled corn, Fourth of July, Caribbean spices, summer cookout, spicy corn, BBQ side dish